The Hypocrisy of Religion and Why Unlimited Freedom Must be Revoked

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

 

The First Amendment promises freedom of religion, but not the freedom to include your personal choice in your employment or attempt to force your beliefs on others. Religion was and is an issue intended to be part of an individual’s private and personal life. It  guarantees your right to reject the influence of religion into your personal life, if that is your choice.

[Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.] First Amendment, ratified at the end of the Constitutional Congress in 1789.

Anyone who has read my rants for a long period of time knows that I am one of about 75 million Americans who reject organized religion. However, I want you to know that I defend the right of every human being to practice the religion of their choice or none at all. However, I do not defend the fact that one entire political party continues to make efforts to make Christianity our one true religion. I know that the First Amendment protects religious freedom, but it does not protect attempts to deny equal rights to all religions. The creation of the United States of America is based on this single fact.

Our Founding Fathers left their birthplace after Kind George III declared that the Anglican Church would be the only true religion withing the British Empire.

My grandfather, a truly great man, was a devout Catholic and he raised me to join him in his beliefs. However, he instructed me that religious belief is a personal matter and should not be available for public discussion. He also stressed resistance to the use of one religion to control our thoughts and actions. I believe this admonition to this day and am appalled with the fact that religious freedom has become a political issue. Evangelicals continue to wage a thinly disguised war to put an end the practice of any religion other than those based on the Christian bible.

I am aware that many of you will disagree with me, and possibly curse me for my beliefs. This is a perfect example of why the stipulation in the First Amendment is of great importance and at the core of what America represents. In the 21^st century there are multiple issues which should not be issues. The right-wing of our political system constantly attacks personal rights and freedoms. They no longer believe in the Constitution, with the exception of the second amendment, and only then because the NRA gun lobby contributes millions of dollars to their campaigns. The entire reason for their support of the Christian Religious Right is based on votes, not reality or even the worship of a god.

History proves that religious extremism is responsible for more wars, more deaths, more atrocities than any other cause and effect recorded by historians. Whether an individual believes in the precepts of Christianity, Judaism, the Religion of Islam, Buddhism, the Church of Scientology, Satanism, or any other recognized “religion,” no one with average intelligence can deny that fantasy is involved. Every religious leader uses the same old adage that their teachings are primarily a matter of faith, not founded in reality.

I ceased my relationship with Catholicism because I never received an honest or substantial answer to my many questions. The “will of God” never satisfied my queries.

I am not attempting to change your beliefs. Quite the contrary. I want you to have faith in your own decisions. However, this is what you must do, realize that it is your decision and not a situation based on childhood beliefs founded on the teachings of adults who were in control of your educational and spiritual growth.

The greatest attribute shared by all humans is our ability to think freely. All too frequently members of the human race blindly accept the beliefs and ideas of others and embrace them as their own.

Sadly, this describes both politics in 21^st century America and the unconstitutional inclusion of a single religion into our daily lives. Right-wing politicians, who in reality are godless fascists, falsely claim that the United States was founded on a single religious belief. The truth is simple and founded in the wording of the First Amendment. It was founded on a deep belief in the right of all men and women to choose the religion of their choice, or none at all.

Finally, in 2023 Christianity is experiencing a slight decline while the Religion of Islam is growing among younger Americans. However, for most of our younger citizens, “none of the above” is growing faster than all organized religions combined.

Questions must be answered. This is at the core of free thought. Initially, I choose to accept the beliefs of everyone. However I will ask questions related to those beliefs. I believe that the truth is all too often ignored and millions of Americans accept efforts to brainwash our people exercised by television personalities and right-wing extremists.

Freedom is always under attack from those who seek power, fortune, and fame. Religious leaders, politicians, and corporate America constantly place themselves in positions to influence our thought process and accept their hollow claims and allegations.

One of the worst presidents in American history offered one piece of advice every American should cherish and include in their daily lives: “trust but verify.” Simply put, question everything and accept nothing without a strong foundation based in fact.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Find my nine novels here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Turnage/author/B00LOCJ2Z2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true