Question by Mom of Three: does your place of worship appreciate freedom of religion?
I’m just wondering why a religon would claim to be politically neutral but also take total advantage of “freedom of religion” law. And also, if a member decides they don’t want to be that religion anymore and they decide to exercise their right to have freedom of religion by leaving that religion they are punished for it.
Best answer:
Answer by gutbucket
No. I don’t have to worry about it, since I have no religion.
Give your answer to this question below!
Old Account
April 17, 2012 at 6:25 am
Yes. Is it that hard to imagine?
Erin
April 17, 2012 at 6:54 am
yes. I wish EVERYONE was religious, its upsetting they’re not
Heathen
April 17, 2012 at 7:18 am
My place of worship is outdoors. People are free to come and go as they please.
My son is an atheist, and we have no problems agreeing to disagree in a respectful manner. He chose to not be a Heathen, and I respect him for that. He respects my beliefs, and I do not shove them down his throat.
Mary Gibson
April 17, 2012 at 7:19 am
Punished by who, you have the right to worship any where any time, pray, the bible says go in the closet and pray so who has the right to put restrictions on religion.
solarius
April 17, 2012 at 7:59 am
Yes. It’s also very supportive of interfaith programs. We do not tell members how to vote. As for leaving, if a member chooses to leave, so be it. It’s not as if were’re going to go chasing that person down the street. We support intellectual and religious freedom. People have a right to believe (or disbelieve) whatever they wish, and to enter and leave the congregation with complete liberty.
mcmadbat
April 17, 2012 at 8:03 am
I doubt any place truly appreciate freedom of religion, almost all religious people want everyone to be their religion.
Eric
April 17, 2012 at 8:17 am
Taking advantage of a law does not mean being something other than neutral. To try and “punish” anyone for choosing to leave any religion is wrong. But it is understandable how some familiies treat those who leave the “family” religion as being “dead” to them. It is because they can’t imagine how else to think of them.
Every Christian center for worship ought to appreciate freedom of religion in America since it is one of the basic building blocks of our society and allows all of us to live peaceably with one another.
GUNTER
April 17, 2012 at 8:30 am
Hello,
To 1: As one lives on this earth one is also subject to other laws, some of which are not made by man. Just because a law exists one does not take advantage of it (i.e. gravity).
To 2: Why should someone who does not want to be a member of a religion anymore feel that he/she are ‘punished’ if they don’t agree with the religion anyway?
How can it be viewed as ‘punishment’? Does it make sense? Bit like jumping off a ship because you want to, then blaming the ship for you jumping…………..
Kind regards, Günter, …..
Chicago Bob
April 17, 2012 at 9:08 am
Yes we appreciate freedom of Religion. But where did you get the rest of this question?
God Bless Ya,
Chicago Bob
imasinner
There is more joy in Jesus in one day.
Than there is in the World 365/24/7
I know, I tried them both.
Annsan_In_Him
April 17, 2012 at 9:29 am
This is a complex question! I’ll answer your first part last.
To begin with: Why would a politically neutral religion take total advantage of ‘freedom of religion’ law? I can think of one group that does this but in fairness, they consistently do what they do in countries where there is no freedom of religion. The pity is that they make no effort to co-operate with the political, religious and social lobby when they fight for freedom of religion for all. They really are only interested in freedom for themselves, as shown when they battled in the Canadian courts for the liberty to go door to door – for themselves. But after the War, they printed literature telling their members not to listen to, or accept literature from others who contacted them, presenting criticism of their denomination. That’s rank hypocrisy.
Your question about the right of a member to leave without being punished for it: The same group had an article published where they acclaimed a Hindu woman for leaving Hinduism to join their group. In the article they said, “God allows each person the freedom to choose how he or she will respond. No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.” Yet they have shocking numbers of families in their midst where break-ups resulted from one member feeling obliged to choose the religion over their family! They describe former members who leave as apostates, or as being grossly immoral, or worldly, and encourage shunning of them. Then they wonder why so many families in their midst are rent assunder?
Finally, does my denomination appreciate freedom of religion? You bet! They broke away from the State Church in the 1840s rather than continue to go along with the State choosing who would be appointed to preach. Yet my denomination (the Free Church of Scotland) supports the State wherever possible, though they insist that Christ is the Head of the State as surely as He is of the Church. Here’s what our Moderator said this May:
“Under the Headship of Christ the Free Church has always believed in the Establishment Principle, involving the recognition and upholding of the Christian religion by the State. It is not that the Church insists that the State give no freedom to individuals to hold beliefs contrary to the Christian faith. Indeed, we insist that the State is required to allow freedom of religion, and the freedom to have no religion at all, to those who would be so minded. In saying this, we both uphold freedom and denounce the persecution or coercion of religious minorities. We ourselves as Christians are a minority within our society, but we rightly protest when actions amounting to intolerance or persecution are taken against us. The General Assembly in 1846 declared explicity that ‘while the Church firmly maintains the same scriptural principles as to the duties of nations and their rulers in reference to true religion and the Church of Christ, for which she has hitherto contended, she disclaims intolerant or persecuting principles, and does not regard her Confession of Faith, or any portion thereof, when fairly interprested, as favouring intolerance or persecution’.” (Act XII, 1946) I am not aware of any person who left my denomination who was thereafter punished or persecuted.