What is religious freedom?

[Grazer]

I'm hearing this phrase being used a lot lately and I'm a little confused. There doesn't seem to be any concrete definition as to what it means and looks like. In the U.S it appears to come from the constitution but religion isn't the only thing listed and I don't see Jesus calling for us to fight for our rights.

So what is meant by religious freedom and what does that look like?

 

[YosefHayim]

Maybe it's just some New-Age shenanigans?

 

[providence]

Surely you mean http://www.openbible.info/topics/freedom_in_christ? ok, probably not ;)

 

[Claudya]

Is religious freedom something different from Freedom of Religion? Seems to me those two terms are just used synonymously.

 

[Sparkey]

Freedom of Religion

In the U.S. this has subtly been changed to "Freedom from Religion". So now our citizens are protected where then it was Religion that was protected.

Not so subtle, now that I think about it.

 

[Claudya]

Freedom from Religion is part of the Freedom of Religion. Religious liberty includes that people are free to be without religion, and free to discontinue or change their religious affiliation.

 

[Sparkey]

Although I agree with the sentiment that you express and in part I also agree with the ideal, it is that very thing that is being used by those whom serve us, in this nation supposedly founded under God, to put our public funds toward an endless debate.

I'd say, "Consider God in all things," and I would not consider the case of mentioning Him an offense. I don't like the fact that the money I contribute goes toward that purpose, but I'm not one of those rabid folk that will refuse to pay their portion of tax.

I just don't like it is all. That's nothing new.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Freedom from Religion is part of the Freedom of Religion.

The way to practice freedom from religion, however, is not to vocally, vehemently, and intolerantly attack religion and those who practice it. The way to practice freedom from religion is simply not to participate. It would appear that those who engage in the former practice really aren't wanting freedom from religion. They are wanting to silence people who have every right to express themselves regarding their faith.

That is the issue facing the US today, at any rate.

 

[Milk-Drops]

The point of freedom of religion is that the government can't stop someone from worshiping the denomination, god, creed, philosophy, idol, etc that they want. As a measure the US Bill of rights also guarantees that there will be no state religion or state sponsored religion. This was probably put in place to keep theocracies from spouting up and the persecution of other sects.

Many Atheist groups don't like it when Public offices and schools use religious symbols or teachings in classes. Mainly because the US is multicultural.

I don't personally care if a teacher has a cross or reversed swastika ( in Buddhism and Hinduism it has a completely different meaning than Nazism.) on their wall, as long as they can objectivly teach the criteria.

I think the biggest areas this has effected is School science courses and the LGBT. This is where the problems seems to bubble up. Though I think that most of this has more to do with misunderstanding the role of a science class room and what exactly the state contracts sought after by the LGBT really mean to them opposed to popular belief.

There is also the War on Christmas, but I think that is more of a media hype machine rather then an actual problem. There will always be people complaining about this and that in the town square, even if everything is allowed or nothing is allowed. The media just likes to pretend its more important then what it actually is.

 

[Domenic]

I'm hearing this phrase being used a lot lately and I'm a little confused. There doesn't seem to be any concrete definition as to what it means and looks like. In the U.S it appears to come from the constitution but religion isn't the only thing listed and I don't see Jesus calling for us to fight for our rights.

So what is meant by religious freedom and what does that look like?

<dir><dir>The word :FREEDOM,” it sound like a good word. Protect the freedom of our country. A
land of a free people. It sounds great…I can even see in my minds eye, the flags of
freedom flying, and yes, I can also hear the music in my head. To be free. Slaves are not
free. Is not free a bad thing? When I hear not free, I see men in chains, and slaves
singing sad songs, praying for the Lord to free them. Not free must be bad.?
I’m not sure what this freedom is? Where did it start? Who was behind it? I’m a
Christian. I walk in the footsteps of my Lord. I was created by my Lords Father as a
servant. If I do what my Lord says to do, he is pleased. That fills me with joy. Let me eat
the fruit from this tree as I think this problem out…Freedom?
“Did my masters Father design me to do whatever I want to do? Or to serve him?
Hmmm? That’s a good question. I get to do many things I want to do? My Lords Father
ask very little of me. I eat with no labor. I live in a paradise. Never sick. I won’t even
grow old and die like the animals do. Hmmm? Yes. Now I remember. It was in the days
after the first two servants were created.. It was the one they called Satan. He revolted
against serving the master. Yes, it was he who invented the thing Freedom. Freedom is a
bad word. Better to be a slave in chains, then to be free from our God. Better to die than
have to live free without the Father, and his son, our Lord. Thinking about it makes me
cry. All those poor people who had to live under Satan’s law of FREEDOM. I wait for
the day these former things are forgotten.</dir></dir>

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Religious freedom can be seen in this:
The Hari Krishnas passed out their literature in airports.
They were thrown out of airports.
They sued for their right to practice their religion in public places.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Hari Krishnas.
Now all religions can practice their faith in public places without fear of governmental interference.
Now Christians can pass out their literature in public, hold services in public parks, etc.
This is religious freedom.

 

[for_his_glory]

Religious freedom is a choice we make in how or what we want to worship without others chastisement of that choice even if those choices are not of God, but appeal only to the thought of carnal mind. We hear and see so much of our Christian liberties being taken away from us as not being allowed to pray in public places or even hang the Ten Commandments on a wall. The Government can regulate religion, but they can not regulate our freedom of religious expression. For example: In many places we are not allowed to pray openly or even mention the name of Christ. That is taking an outward freedom away, but yet I can still pray in silence wherever I go and I can also proclaim the name of Christ within the love I have even for my enemies as I witness Christ one on one. We are also instructed in scripture to not use our liberty to force religion on anyone as force allows one to get into the flesh. We are also instructed to not be a stumbling block to those without knowledge or that are weak in it as we have total liberty in Christ, but yet others know nothing of the ways of Christ. Other words, we lead by example of allowing the love of Christ shine through us.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

 

[divinecloud7]

To practice your belief and faiths without intervention or harassment from officials or authorities.

This scares me when religious freedoms are affiliated with any practice of an unholy, unrighteous beliefs or faith like......witchcraft or contemporary paganism.



Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[10s3r]

This scares me when religious freedoms are affiliated with any practice of
an unholy, unrighteous beliefs or faith like......witchcraft or contemporary
paganism.

Those people aren't flying jet liners into skyscrapers or blowing themselves up in market places or crucifying Christian's to trees like they do in Egypt. Neither do they have world domination as their stated goal. I call it "domination by abomination."

 

[divinecloud7]

I call it "domination by abomination

That is why it scares me, it's the underlying current, it's the practices hidden in the dark that can cause the bigger problems. In accordance with scriptures GOD called it and those whom practice it abominations. I'm sure there must be a very valid reason for him to consider it as such. I know other practices were condemned as well and I should wisely be fearful of those too.

You have to love GOD and lord JESUS for these reasons as well, that he loves us and gave us instructions to abstain, refrain and repent of actions that are unwholesome, imbalanced and immoral. Wise moral and sound guidance to live healthy and righteously.


Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[YosefHayim]

The way to practice freedom from religion, however, is not to vocally, vehemently, and intolerantly attack religion and those who practice it. The way to practice freedom from religion is simply not to participate. It would appear that those who engage in the former practice really aren't wanting freedom from religion. They are wanting to silence people who have every right to express themselves regarding their faith.

Signs of the times.