The citizen test given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services speaks of “freedom of worship.” Senator James Lankford (R, OK) has been trying to get the agency to change the test and the study materials so that they refer to the “freedom of religion.” The agency has finally agreed to do so.
Do you see the difference?
From Lankford claims victory in word change on religion | News OK:
Sen. James Lankford has persuaded the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to broaden the definition of religious freedom in the material given to people seeking citizenship.
Leon Rodriguez, the director of the agency, told Lankford in a recent letter that the civics lesson and naturalization test will now say that “freedom of religion,” rather than “freedom of worship,” will be the answer to a question about the rights enjoyed by U.S. citizens. . . .
The change will be reflected in 40 different internal and external Web-based and printed publications, Rodriguez told the Oklahoma City Republican. . . .
“At first glance, it appears like a small matter, but it is actually an important distinction for the Constitution and the First Amendment. The ‘freedom of religion’ language reflects our right to live a life of faith at all times, while the ‘freedom of worship’ reflects a right simply confined to a particular space and location.
In general, governments don’t care if a person goes to a worship service once a week. Thus, even totalitarian countries sometimes claim that they allow “freedom of worship.” “Religion,” though, denotes a way of thinking and living, dimensions of life that governments often want to control.
What’s disturbing is that the American government–not just the immigration board but President Obama and Hillary Clinton–have been preferring the “worship” language.
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