Freedom of religion, not from religion

Dr. Gordon, you've stated that "Atheism, by way of its activism, has become a religion," and I agree. You also point out that our constitution states that "the government cannot make laws that inhibit our religious freedom." Since it is our government that insists on putting the words "in God we trust" on our currency and expects patriots to pledge their allegiance to "one nation, under God," it has inhibited my freedom to practice my religion. Since I find my faith in atheism (which by your own acknowledgement, is a religion), I find that I am extremely uncomfortable if I am asked to give the pledge, and every time I must put a handful of coins in my pocket or a few paper bills in my wallet. Obviously, I could resort to using only personal checks or bank credit cards in reference to the latter, but the inconvenience would be intolerable (especially at the laundry mat). However, if you would be willing to renounce your objections to the loss of public prayer or the absence of the 10 commandments in public places, I'd certainly consider the possibility of adopting checks and credit cards as my personal sacrifice to my religion. GGpap

Freedom of religion does in fact mean freedom from religious proselytizing in civil affairs of our secular state if that is what an individual American citizen desires. A Christian majority does not have the right to force its religious views or practices on any religious or non-religious minority. I guarantee that Dr. Gordon would object to public prayers to Shiva or other religious deities that his brand of Christianity does not sanction. This is exactly why the founding fathers wisely chose not to adopt an official state religion. It was the desire to keep religious quarrels which led to numerous wars in England and continental Europe out of the affairs of state. Many if not most founding fathers were Deists, and to them the affairs of God and the affairs of man are distinct.

And these phrases weren't added to money until 1956, as was the "under God" phrase in the pledge. God is only mentioned in the Declaration connected to Nature, i.e. Nature's God. The only "mention" of God in the Constitution is in the date..."year of our Lord", another way of saying A.D., or Anno Domine. Now, I see no issue with using it in an oath, if the candidate chooses. But, permitting prayers or religious teaching, is affirming or establishing a religion. Mr. Gordon, we may both be Christians, but I don't necessarily follow your type of beliefs or denomination. Are you sure you'd want to follow my form of Christianity? When government takes part in something, it takes over. I will not have a government or any individual have ANY say in my religion. Nor will I have anyone else teaching my kids (except those whose share my faith, Orthodoxy) that their religion or denomination is correct.

Theocracy and moral compass are too hot for most to contend with. So many find them too close to be separated. Don't ask, don't tell still seems to be the best way.

It's hilarious. Jesus said Christians should be known for their actions. I hope that I am. We're supposed to pray in our secret places. Our charity is supposed to be humble, done in secret. Yet we have scores of televangelists offering prayers for donations, teaching fools to "seed" their faith. We have preachers teaching that God wants us to be rich, while ignoring the statements of Jesus that "It's harder for a rich man to get into Heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle" or "Lay NOT up for yourself treasures on earth". They espouse FALSE prophets (they're a dime a dozen). I remember at a Ministry, which espouses "healings" and has A Torah and a FAKE "Ark of the Covenant" in their sanctuary, the preacher told the congregation that she had been told by a "prophet" that Augusta was to be devastated by a great storm but we should pray to avert it. Of course, when the prophesy proved false, it was claimed that the prayers averted it. Revelations tells us that we should beware false prophets and false teachers. Judging by the number or heretics, false prophets and "preachers" leading the hopeless to hell by greed and selfishness, it's dead on.

Christianity is about wealth of the SOUL, not wealth of the body.

I watched Obama's speech and he said God about a dozen times including about six times at the very end. I wonder if the secular left and the faux Christians will spend the next 4 years persecuting him because of it? Not likely. They knew he was just pandering.

GACopperhead"wealth of the Soul, not wealth of the body" ha! tell that to all those TV preachers with all the millions they have rat holed, not to mention multi mansions, cars {girlfriends on the side}...thye will even sell you exact replicas of the nails used to nail Jesus to the cross! Yep, Anyone else ever see that preacher??

It is too bad this this evolves to being referred to as the "left" or the "right". That is divisive. What is even more divisive however, is that a particular religious sect insists on theirs being the only one authorized. That is establishment of a religion. That is what is prohibited. Having grown up a Christian, in a Christian church, and having been a participating Christian as an adult, I am quite put off when someone gets up to pray publicly in a manner that I am not accustomed to in MY church. So keep your prayers private, and exercise your freedom in your own place of worship, your home, and your life. Just don't expect me to change over to your church.

Atheism isn't a religion by definition-it is the antithesis. The arguments then made is abusrd. Plenty of False Prophets-Obama for one. hee,hee,hee. Yes He CAN>

patricia...please, don't start in on the man his first day as president.........millions disagree with you on the pandering charge. just what is it that makes you think this man is not sincere.

elieving with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.

Those are the words of Mr. Jefferson to the Danbury Church. He wrote this in part to explain why he refused as President to issue declarations of Thanksgiving. He did not believe it was appropriate. He himself edited the Bible for his own use, deleting all mention of the supernatural but leaving the teachings of Christ which he believed were a beautiful statement of how people should live. You are free to practice your religion in any way that you please. So atheists should also be free to practice their beliefs or non-beliefs. Why is your faith so weak that you must force participation through the government?

Dr.
gordon...so, we don't have freedom FROM Religion? Are we to be forced into religion? That is what this contry was founded on...FREEDOM FROM RELIGION..sorry my Friend. you are wrong!

MtnMan, a person is judged by their actions which is proven by their history, not their P.R. . My comment was that all inauguration speeches are pandering by their nature and that the left started their anti-Bush/anti-Christianity assault during his inauguration speech. I was just wondering if the same crowd would give Obama the same attention, or does his Marxist philosophy give him immunity?

Bizarro, religion : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held in ardor or faith. While atheism isn't deity worship, it certainly falls into the definition of religion.

As long as Obama does not try to push his religion in government sponsorship, then he has freedom to express his religious views. patriciathomas, your bitterness is taking on such an angry tone. There's nothing intelligent concerning these negative emotional outbursts.

The morals and law of the America are derived from Christianity. Note pedophilia is both immoral and illegal here. But say if you are muslim then you both seduce and marry a minor. Yassar Arafat would be considered a pedophile here but there he was a righteous dude. In Indian the moral and laws reflect Hinduism.

shivas, your silly attempt to spread confusion hasn't found fertile ground yet.

Well written, well thought out Dr. Gordon...To bad the proper interpretation of the Constitution has been lost in the confused rhetoric that the ACLU is so famous...Atheism is a well formed religion that has very deep roots in this land....

Christian, prove, with facts, that the Constitution has been misinterpreted!

"There are two parts of the religion clause that we can find. First, the government cannot establish any religion as a national one. This concept is clear and simple. However, it does not say that government is to exclude religion as some want to interpret it. Second, the government cannot make laws that inhibit our religious freedom. The government did just that in 1962 when the Supreme Court favored the atheist view. The rights of a non-religion became precedent over religion." What part of that do you not understand?

Do tell, just HOW did that decision infringe on your right to practice your religion? Are you prohibited from going to church? Has the Bible been banned?
Or are you just NOT allowed to force my to listen to your public shows of piety?

patriciathomas: I didn't think he was pandering, I actually believe he loves God, and God is with him as he is with all of us...btw, when was the last time your buttocks dented a pew?? c'mon, be honest don't pander me....

Great letter Dr. Gordon. The reactions here are strong because of many thngs. The greatest is that if Jesus told the truth He is the only way to heaven and that creates great fear for many seeking another way. Others have to go to bed each night hoping there is no God and that they answer to no one. That is a very stressful life. Some have to believe there is a creation with no creator and that is a hard road too. It is like the pro-death and the gay crowd; if they are right, why are they so angry. The most folks you will find with peace, joy and love will probably be born-again Christians with Jesus being the biggest thing in their life. There will only be a few of these and each church will ony have a few. When Jesus gets to be the biggest thing in life the troubles of this world fall away and peace and joy become the result. If someone tries Jesus and doesn't like it there isn't a problem, as the devil will always take you back.

Religion is to be practiced privately, as far as prayer goes. this is learned from specific statements by Jesus. His words cast the actions of those who are like minded with Dr. Gordon as like the Pharisees. Until the government prohibits the Bible, closes churches or decrees a national religion do any of you have a basis for complaint. Public schools are part of government services. They are not a place for public prayer. Religious functions are allowed in proper times, as in prayer at the flag post. Obama said "So help me God" in his oath of office yesterday, which was his choice. Thank God he had the CHOICE and wasn't required, one way or the other!

The question MtnMan is will the radical left begin hammering Obama for using the word God while doing government business. Since the media wasn't consumed by the attacks on him for his radical religious actions last night, I see his honeymoon is already much longer than that of Bush. When was I last in a pew? Are you trying to force your radical religious beliefs on me?

Obama said God while taking a government oath. His religious fanaticism should be condemned ad nauseam. He forced me to listen to his religious beliefs and made me uncomfortable.

Is it too early to start impeachment proceedings against President Obama? He forced millions of viewers to be exposed to his choice of religion during his inaugeration ceremony. He has referred to God on numerous occasions during public speeches at political functions. He is the head of state yet continues to force a religious belief. Alas, for the left and all non believers, the honeymoon has certainly ended. I am certain he has lost all of their support for they stand on their principles.

patricithomas, maybe your intellect doesn't allow you to see the difference between expressing a personal religious view versus forcing me to personally accept that view through government sponsorship. Bush tried to use govt. to pursue National religious goals, which is wrong and unconstitutional. Obama is expressing his belief and love of God, as many on the left do. However, the left doesn't try to force a rel;igious agenda down one's throat. The country discovered this during the last election, and booted out the zealots. I know it must be hard to see the world leaving you behind, but I'm sure there's a good museum that would be happy to record your outdated views on forcing religion on govt. and citizens.