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We were the first country founded on the principle of freedom of religion.
While other countries allow various religions to be practiced, they reserve the right to regulate those practices. England may be more tolerant now, but the Puritans fled England for a reason. You may be allowed to practice Christianity or other beliefs in China, but you are only being allowed to do so, you don't have the right to do so. Chinese authorities can close any church at any time for any reason they desire. Religious practices there and in many other countries are tolerated at the government's discretion.
Certainly there are times when people in the United States feel that their freedom of religion is somewhat restricted. Because co-existing with other people means the loss of complete freedom. Respect isn't just a word for esteem, respect is how we acknowledge that other people exist, other people have needs, other people have boundaries just as we do. When you observe the boundaries of other people, the social constructs that allow people to co-exist, you give up 100% freedom. Because 100% freedom would include violating other people's boundaries, not just physically, but in every other way. Imposing your beliefs on others is just as much a boundary violation as rape.
When countries announce official religions, they are implicitly giving support to one religion, and even if they tolerate other beliefs, those who practice those alternative religions lose something in that process. It may be they lose credibility, or prestige, or they in fact might lose more concrete rights.
Certainly, we do that in this country. Tom Cruise lost credibility and prestige when he became more overt about his beliefs. That may have been because he placed his beliefs above others when he criticized Brook Shields. But there have certainly been less than complimentary comments made about Scientology as a result. The criticism and damage he suffered were not at the hands of government, however. And when damage is inflicted on a person by government because of religious conflict, Americans have judicial recourse to correct that damage. Americans have the right to oppose any legislation they feel infringes on their religious freedoms, and to have that argument heard in a court of law where the legislislation can be struck down.
And that is why I think we are rightfully proud of our claim to freedom of religion.
We were the first country founded on the principle of freedom of religion.
While other countries allow various religions to be practiced, they reserve the right to regulate those practices. England may be more tolerant now, but the Puritans fled England for a reason. You may be allowed to practice Christianity or other beliefs in China, but you are only being allowed to do so, you don't have the right to do so. Chinese authorities can close any church at any time for any reason they desire. Religious practices there and in many other countries are tolerated at the government's discretion.
Certainly there are times when people in the United States feel that their freedom of religion is somewhat restricted. Because co-existing with other people means the loss of complete freedom. Respect isn't just a word for esteem, respect is how we acknowledge that other people exist, other people have needs, other people have boundaries just as we do. When you observe the boundaries of other people, the social constructs that allow people to co-exist, you give up 100% freedom. Because 100% freedom would include violating other people's boundaries, not just physically, but in every other way. Imposing your beliefs on others is just as much a boundary violation as rape.
When countries announce official religions, they are implicitly giving support to one religion, and even if they tolerate other beliefs, those who practice those alternative religions lose something in that process. It may be they lose credibility, or prestige, or they in fact might lose more concrete rights.
Certainly, we do that in this country. Tom Cruise lost credibility and prestige when he became more overt about his beliefs. That may have been because he placed his beliefs above others when he criticized Brook Shields. But there have certainly been less than complimentary comments made about Scientology as a result. The criticism and damage he suffered were not at the hands of government, however. And when damage is inflicted on a person by government because of religious conflict, Americans have judicial recourse to correct that damage. Americans have the right to oppose any legislation they feel infringes on their religious freedoms, and to have that argument heard in a court of law where the legislislation can be struck down.
And that is why I think we are rightfully proud of our claim to freedom of religion.
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From what I understand in scientology when you reach Tom Cruise and John Travoltas level you can cure people with your hands like those tv preachers "can".
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like those tv preachers "can".
