In America it was established, in 1791 by the adaption of the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights, that Americans have a right to exercise their freedom of religion or to exercise their lack thereof religion. It says in effect; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
So then, imagine my surprise when I read a news article today about an alleged violation of that right at the U. S. Supreme Court Building. From reading the article it would appear that a group of middle school students and their teacher as well as a few other adults, were at the Supreme Court Building taking pictures when they decided to step to the side to pray. The details are a bit sketchy, however it is being alleged that a police officer told them that they must cease and desist; stop praying and move along because it was against the law.
Either there is more to this story, or the police officer was/is badly mis-informed, or some other reason was at the basis of being asked to move along. From my impression of the article, it sounds as if it was a peaceable gathering. However, as I said, details are sketchy.
Either way, the freedom to exercise religion is one of the various reasons this county, of the United States of America, was formed in the first place. That is what democracy is all about; a society that is exhibited by a formal equality of privileges and rights. It goes against the grain of most people to have someone tell them how and when they can exercise their religion, or their lack of religion. It would be even more offensive to have something, of that nature, take place on the very steps of the symbol of our governing legal authority. How odd and disheartening to have even the perception of a squashing of that freedom of religion, in such a way. It is wise to pay attention to anything that could be a danger or a threat to the freedoms that this country endows to it’s citizens; it is our responsibility to uphold those freedoms to the best of our ability.
While no one should be forced by government to worship or endorse anyone particular religion over another…or to even to have a religious belief in the first place; nor should they be kept from practicing their simple faith building action of prayer.
Many Americans are feeling as if the very fabric of our country’s foundation is being torn asunder in regards to their religious freedoms. Legal challenges seem to constantly attempt to disallow any fringe association with an open faith in American society. From schools, to public ceremonies to work related issues to the attempts to remove any mention of God in our currency or our governing bodies … there are movements afoot to erase all mention of God as a higher power of authority.
If this story proves to be factual, and the prayer was peaceful and was not unlawful in any other way…then that police officer needs to be educated and disciplined about the rights of Americans to pray where they will; as long as they are not violating any other laws. If indeed he was somehow encouraged to make a stand against religious freedoms, at the very place where the laws of the land are formed and enforced…then this country had better wake up and hold the highest symbol of authority this nation has, to it’s own declarations of what is, and what is not, lawful.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
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