Is There Truly Religious Freedom in the United States?

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By C.A. Johnson

Courtesy of Psychology Today
Courtesy of Psychology Today

I was brought up to believe that each individual is allowed to think for themselves, to believe what they choose, and to have faith where their heart lies. I was baptized Christian, raised Christian, and then developed my own beliefs (which are not exactly conventional) from there. I have studied different religious beliefs over time; some religions were started as political movements in order to control the population, some religions started with the convictions of just one person, some started as cults while others are based purely in the faith of something greater.

I was always told to never bring politics or religion into a discussion unless I was looking to start a fight. Well, anyone who reads my writing knows that politics have not been a forbidden subject with me for quite some time. Now I am choosing to venture into a subject that I know a fair amount about but have always avoided commenting on. The decision has come because of all of the overwhelming ugliness that I am seeing in society, on television, and in the news regarding the latest religion to make itself known on American soil.

Each religion has faced times of persecution as well as times of acceptance. Christians, Catholics, Jews, Baptists, Celts, Protestants, Hindus, Mormons, and countless others have had their places in tragic history and have managed to keep evolving as time progresses while maintaining the original intent of their individual faiths. We as a country have come to accept the fact that there are hundreds of different belief systems in our country each with its own guidelines and leaders. So, why, are we having such a hard time with Muslims?

I know the Muslim faith has acquired a less than stellar appearance, but haven’t all religions had their fanatics through the ages, all believing that they were right and just in the eyes of their God? Has anyone considered that there are people of the Muslim faith that are not fanatical? That are not seeking to destroy everything and everyone in their path? Have we come so far to know so little? I do not believe in the doctrines of the Koran but I believe that there is goodness to be found in many who choose to believe in its doctrines.

The controversies of where and when mosques are to be built throughout the country are growing every day. Have we come back to a point in time where we are going to round every Muslim up and place them in internment camps like we with the Japanese and any other Asian that could be confused for one? Are we going to write laws that deny them even the possibility of citizenship for the next fifty years like we did for people of Asian descent? I would like to believe that as people we have become more enlightened and understanding of differences in others.

I do not deny that there are extremists that choose to blanket their actions with religion in order to justify to themselves their actions any more or less than members of other religious sects do and have done. Nor do I deny that we have cause for concern and lack of trust but the only way to move beyond our own insecurities is to make an attempt to see the point of view of peaceful Muslims.

We have all shed blood in one form or another for either God or Country, sometimes both. Isn’t time to stop being so quick to draw the first blood and maybe listen before we react? I do not want to live in a world that is in a constant state of war because nobody wants to agree to disagree and then drop the subject. Religion is personal no matter the form it takes. How we choose to value that faith is also personal as well as the choices we make while following our faith. Until people can stop disguising their hatred of themselves as an act of God there will be no peace.

Is there freedom of religion in America? I no longer believe so. The freedom only exists for those that prescribe to politically correct doctrines and can lobby for the right representation. Our Constitution states that there shall not be a mixing of religion and state; somewhere along the line that concept has been lost along with so much of our way of life.

Cookbook Alley

Comments

Wayne Brown profile image

Wayne Brown Level 7 Commenter 21 months ago

As a nation, I think there are examples that show we have grown in this regard. Two that come to mind are the election of JFK, a Catholic, at a time when Catholicism was viewed as a rather dark religion in America and the recent election of Obama, a Muslim. Religious sects, regardless of their affiliation, have the responsibility to show to the public that they are what they claim to be. In the case of the Muslims, they are slow to speak out on the actions of terrorists, they are slow to condemn it, as has been demonstrated with the current situation at ground zero in NY. Mosques must be conceived as places of worship just like the Baptist church down the street. Now, if we find out that the Klan is meeting every Tuesday night at the local Baptist church and planning their next cross burning event then we as a public may become very suspect of that religion and the goals it hopes to achieve. Churches, mosques, and temples are the visual representation of a religious perference. If those structures are allowed to be associated with violence even in an indirect manner, it can only lead to mistrust. If a religious sect in America wants to mesh and grow and co-exist, then the responsibility to create an open and trusting relationship with the surrounding community is absolutely essential. There is a fine line between political correctness and being stupid. I think that is where the American public finds itself in the matter of the Muslim faith. On that basis, it is up to the true Muslims to change that perception through actions and outreach that says "we are here to be a part of America, not to destroy it." Thanks for a well-written article that very clearly speaks your position and thanks for sharing it. WB

Freeway Flyer profile image

Freeway Flyer Level 4 Commenter 21 months ago

Americans like to view the world in simplistic terms. We tend to lump people into categories. Since many Americans knew little about Islam before events like the Iranian hostage crisis or 9/11, it was easy to conclude that these mysterious people called Muslims were all religious fanatics that posed a danger to the United States.

Having said that, things are not as bad as I expected. We haven't yet seen anything quite comparable to the Japanese prison camps. If another major attack occurs within the U.S., however, I have a feeling that things might get ugly.

C.A. Johnson profile image

C.A. Johnson Hub Author 21 months ago

@Wayne I see you point and thank you.

@Freeway Flyer Unfortunately, it may get very sticky in the very near future. A Muslim religious holiday falls in 9/11 this year and is a time for great celebration. I am afraid that some people will misinterpret why they are celebrating. With so much discord in the country right now, history may very well repeat itself in more ways than one and in a very violent manner.

turguman profile image

turguman 21 months ago

thanks for the hub in fact people like you,Rachel Query & many other people who care about others reconstruct our trust in human being again thank you

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