Friday, September 29, 2006
It's freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion
Utah Policy Daily linked to an interesting commentary by Lou Dobbs of CNN. It's titled "Keep religion out of politics." In it Mr. Dobbs says, "Religion is dominant in the lives of most Americans." Isn't that a good thing? He also mentions that we shouldn't have churches that are "politicking." The founding fathers envisioned the right to practice what ever religion they wanted to. They wanted freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion!
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6 comments:
Very true.
In Taoism, religion and politics are very closely enwtined for example:
Freedom of Action
In our country the founding fathers were not trying to remove religion from our lives, they were stressing that each person has the freedom to practice religion and the state had no right to impose a religion upon another.
Of course some have taken this to mean any statement of religion made by the government, for example swearing by god upon a court, could be forcing religion upon others.
Where is the right line in the balance. I don't know, I just know it's a shifting line depending the people and the times. I wonder what The founding father would think about our times now? Not that it matters, since its been handed to us, in the here and now to make our own choices.
I think the balance is as follow: government is of the people, the people in government should be allowed to speak and state their minds, including if they wish religious beliefs. However, religion should never be in laws or statements of writing of the land, for its at that point I think it crosses over into forcing belief onto others.
But again it's a fuzzy line, no matter where you draw it, problem will arise from differences in opinion. So its best to allow a shifting perspective on the matter.
Doesn't matter, to have freedom of religion you must also have freedom from relgion.
Simple fact.
very true
Sorry, I've been having typo issues...
Here's what I wanted to say...
Just as long as your definition of "freedom from" doesn't mean that you expect to never have to be exposed to any sort of religion.
People shouldn't have religion shoved in their faces, but they should also be tolerant of other people's beliefs (whatever they may be).
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