Religious Liberty

Religious wars swept across Europe and through the Orient (Eastern Mediterranean) and into the Near East (India-China) from the 1600s on. Many lasted over 100 years.

It was mostly Christians fighting Christians. Some began to read the Bible, newly in print, and then fought off institutional and government religion with their inherent control, corruption, and allegiance to oppressive governments. Nations fought other nations endlessly, using religion as a handy excuse and tool. It’s still done today.

Those who didn’t swear allegiance to the official religion of the government were simply killed. When a new nationalist effort seized power they brought their religion with them. Or invented their own (Henry 8th.). In that world, you might be the privileged and protected one day, then tomorrow you might be lost in the mud and blood of war. This was still the age of conquest.

Many fled to the new American Continent specifically for religious freedom to practice religion as they wanted. Chosen. Meaningfully. Not forced on them by a cold institution.

The Founders of our nation looked at the mess created in Europe and said never again – they would create a better way. They put into our Constitution five basic freedoms that are the Cornerstones of our Democracy.

1. Speech,

2. Religion,

3. Press,

4. Assembly,

5. Right to Petition the government.

These freedoms are mostly beyond assault by anyone or any institution for each and every one of us, except in matters of violations of other high priority laws.

We don’t all have to like each other, we don’t have to accept each other’s lifestyles, celebrations, religions, differences, etc. But we have forged a system in which we can live with each other in peace, tolerance, and even respect. And other nations have admired it, copied it, and live with it. It’s a major accomplishment.

Do you have any idea how difficult this is to do? Well, look at Europe in the 1600-1700s – it was impossible. Look at Russia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan …. these nations are ruled by force or religious edict. Boundaries between nations and conflicting groups are forced by guns.

There are constant forces within this nation and outside who want us to live just the way they say. From within we can tear it down ourselves with our conflicts.

Don’t tear down what this nation of people built. Respect and preserve it. Take time to appreciate it.

– Dorian