Does the US have religious freedom? As long as it isn't Islam or Fundamental Christian?

2015-02-03T12:14:36-05:00

Over the last few months, and more and more recently, I have noticed a growing tread in the US of "Religious Freedom" as long as it isn't Islam or Fundamental Christian. The former seems especially true in the veteran and military communities while the latter is seems more true in the more liberal communities.

What are YOUR thoughts? Keep it CIVIL and PROFESSIONAL.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 8:23 PM

2015-02-03T20:23:21-05:00

I agree with your observation, TSgt Joshua Copeland. I think that these days being a Christian in the USA is lower on the "totem pole" than being a Muslim. We've seen it beaten to death here on RallyPoint, but I do have a bit of a persecution complex because of my Christian beliefs.

It's okay for an atheist to demand their rights, same for a Muslim, but if you're a Christian, you better shut your mouth and get back to work. I realize that's a little melodramatic, but I don't think it's far from the truth these days. It's not "in" to be Christian in popular culture. It is "in" to be anything else, including all manner of things.

I'll leave it at that, so as not to offend. (And right there I prove my point.)

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 3 at 2015 8:33 PM

2015-02-03T20:33:15-05:00

For my own perspective, I feel that many are, regardless of faith (or lack thereof), becoming overly sensitive and going out of their way to be offended. In the same vein, just because you hold a belief (or lack thereof) is not a license to force feed it down an unwilling person's proverbial throat.

Freedom of religion (or lack thereof) is also freedom from other people's religion (or lack thereof).

/end rant

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Feb 3 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-02-03T20:43:39-05:00

My opinion is religious freedom is only a freedom as long as it doesn't infringe upon the individual rights of others.

For example, freedom of speech is not a freedom of all speech. Slander will get you in trouble, and obscene language has never been protected.

Freedom of religion is actually a freedom from a State sponsored or mandatory religion. It's really not what most people make it out to be.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 3 at 2015 11:10 PM

2015-02-03T23:10:43-05:00

I know it's hard to be reasonable when religion is the topic, but not impossible...

We're back in the same boat that our Founding Fathers paddled when they crafted the Ten Rights. Read their correspondence and you'll discover that they mistrusted Catholicism and considered religious freedom for all except Catholics. I won't belabor the reasons (you'll have to figure that one out for yourselves if you're interested).

The important part is their conclusion. If you prohibit any religion, you don't really have religious freedom, do you?

Still, We the People have taken constitutionally acceptable stands against specific practices of certain religions. For example, Mormons had to give up polygamy. Therefore, it follows that Muslims may have to surrender the right to stone their women for exposing an ankle, right?

Like I said, reasonable

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 6:09 AM

2015-02-04T06:09:29-05:00

Not sure if religious freedom exsists anymore. This is How America was born. Getting away from the lack of freedom of Religion. But alas, it is fading fast. Enlistment oaths leaving out God, Swearing in for court , leaving out God. Hell you can't even say Merry Christmas to anyone without them saying Happy Holidays back to you instead... To each their own. My beliefs are different than alot but the same as some.