I have come to one major conclusion about religious freedom: it is essential to democracy.
John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia).
A current U.S. federal judge has written, “An officer of a political branch, such as Congress, is free to propose changes in the law that conform with his perspective of morality, as informed by his religion. For centuries, members of Congress have supported a variety of new laws on this kind of basis, whether to abolish slavery, withdraw troops from foreign wars, abolish child labor, guarantee civil rights, provide assistance to the poor and sick, protect marriage, or prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors" (The Religious Faith and Judicial Duty of an American Catholic Judge, William H Pryor Jr.).
I believe most democratic laws are formed on the conscience of the people and the conscience of the people is often influenced by religion.
The first freedom in the first amendment to the Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bill of Rights, National Archives).
In nations where religious freedom is stifled, religious conscience cannot be truly autonomous and real diversity in opinion is silenced. Democracy suffers.
In the most recent International Religious Freedom Report by the U.S. State Department, the countries listed as religiously oppressive have either recently blossomed into struggling democracies, are communist, dictatorships, or total monarchies. Interestingly, the countries listed espoused to democracy recognize some form of religious freedom in their constitutions despite their failed practice of it (International Religious Freedom Report of 2014).
Religiously-minded people should have a voice in democracy. All people of religious conscience have the right to voice their opinion on political matters, even—maybe especially—when opinions differ. With that being said, please don't be afraid to share your opinion by commenting below.
- Without religious involvement, democracy is essential ineffective.
- Without religious freedom, religious involvement is ineffective.
Religious Involvement in Democracy
John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia).
George Washington said, “Religion and morality are indispensable . . . Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle” (Washington’s Farewell Address).
This video illustrates why democracy seems to be dependent on religion:
This video illustrates why democracy seems to be dependent on religion:
Furthermore, in the U.S., representatives chosen by the people create laws. How do our representatives decide what is ethical?
A current U.S. federal judge has written, “An officer of a political branch, such as Congress, is free to propose changes in the law that conform with his perspective of morality, as informed by his religion. For centuries, members of Congress have supported a variety of new laws on this kind of basis, whether to abolish slavery, withdraw troops from foreign wars, abolish child labor, guarantee civil rights, provide assistance to the poor and sick, protect marriage, or prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors" (The Religious Faith and Judicial Duty of an American Catholic Judge, William H Pryor Jr.).
I believe most democratic laws are formed on the conscience of the people and the conscience of the people is often influenced by religion.
Please note, atheists still have moral conscience, but the difference between religious morality and areligious morality is a different topic. Also note, religious voices often disagree and this brings us to religious freedom.
Religious Freedom is Essential to Religious Involvement
The first freedom in the first amendment to the Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bill of Rights, National Archives).
In nations where religious freedom is stifled, religious conscience cannot be truly autonomous and real diversity in opinion is silenced. Democracy suffers.
In the most recent International Religious Freedom Report by the U.S. State Department, the countries listed as religiously oppressive have either recently blossomed into struggling democracies, are communist, dictatorships, or total monarchies. Interestingly, the countries listed espoused to democracy recognize some form of religious freedom in their constitutions despite their failed practice of it (International Religious Freedom Report of 2014).
Religiously-minded people should have a voice in democracy. All people of religious conscience have the right to voice their opinion on political matters, even—maybe especially—when opinions differ. With that being said, please don't be afraid to share your opinion by commenting below.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced material on religious freedom on MormonNewsroom.org. I would highly recommend looking at their resources.
The song I'd like to share this week is Something Sacred by Aaron Edson. It's not available on YouTube, but you can get a sample of it on iTunes by clicking here.
The song I'd like to share this week is Something Sacred by Aaron Edson. It's not available on YouTube, but you can get a sample of it on iTunes by clicking here.
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