...respecting an establishment of religion
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution covers a lot of important ground.
It's ground central to the country we are now and have always been. Freedom of religion; speech; the press; assembly; and petition for the redress of grievances.
The clauses get thrown around a lot to justify opinions (or the right to them) and as a trump card in arguments about who might be in the "right."
My thinking is formed through study and by my faith. I don't think all judgements are correct, but opinions are worthy of hearing and discussion.
Prior to the founding of our country - most governments in Europe had a state religion. That's a reason the Pilgrims came here in 1620.
James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and the like did not want the government to establish a religion. They said it was wrong for the government to legislate a particular faith as official.
At the same time, those wanting to practice their faith have the right to do so. Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, and other faith groups are given the right to practice their faith. Those who believe in nothing - may practice their faith as well.
Growing up Lutheran in a predominantly Christian community, I didn't know many kids from other faith backgrounds.
In college, one of my best friends was a guy I met early our freshman year as he tried to figure out which direction in his dorm room would point him to Mecca. My roommate was a former Lutheran who became agnostic in his faith. Others in our social group were Jewish and others with no religion they called their own.
We talked about our faith - listened and tried to learn from the others. We didn't always agree, but we listened respectfully.
There are times strongly held beliefs might offend someone else. Or we might take offense. Passionate belief is good. We should want to live our lives according to what we believe.
It seems to me there are ways of sharing differing points of view that respect each individual... even if there is no agreement other than to disagree.
We are blessed to live in a country where we can worship freely and without fear.
It's interesting that sometimes freedom leads to apathy. Look around the world - there are many places where gathering to worship is difficult and dangerous.
So many of our laws are based on the laws handed down through the Bible/Torah. Principles that have stood the test of time.The execution of many of this nation's laws are borne out with a heavy dose of compassion and potential forgiveness and the grace offered in a fresh start.
These are good things that almost no one disagrees with now.
The "separation clause" was not meant to remove religion from our land or our laws. I believe it was meant to reassure those who do not agree with a prevailing opinion that their rights are protected, too.
Those in the majority don't need to worry about that so much. But, if and when things change - it could be us relying on those same constitutional protections.
Democracy is the cradle of competition for conflicting ideas.
In our personal lives - we should live our faith. We can share it; defend it; support it.
We should also support those with other views those same rights.
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