Freedom of religion was envisioned by our forefathers to be the allowance of worship of God as presented in the Bible by whatever means a person wished. When they said “separation of church and state” they wanted to ensure the government did not dictate the manner in which that God was worshipped. However, it is obvious they wanted the inclusion of a “Biblical God” in government by their frequent references to God in the founding documents. Other religions in America and Europe at that time were of such small measure to be of little consequence. I doubt any of those men dreamed of what was to come.
First, the atheists. Atheism is a sort of religion. As in Christianity and Judaism where there is a belief by faith that there is a God, the atheists believe by faith that there is no God. Both beliefs are by faith because neither can be proved. Atheists were not new to our forefathers but the voice they have today, aided by a liberal judicial system, would astound George Washington and his colleagues. The strict interpretation of the separation of church and state being applied to our institutions and lives today will serve to weaken the core “Judeo-Christian” values on which our country was built. References to God are being stricken from our government buildings and public schools, and the traditional institution of marriage between a man and woman is being assaulted (it would be simple enough for gays to have a civil union recognized by law to serve their needs). These changes are being pressed by vocal minorities with special self-interests not in keeping with the welfare of our nation.
However, the main threat to our doctrine (and Law) of freedom of religion is the growing presence of the Islamic religion in the United States (and the world). This is a religion centered around the God of the Koran which has its own laws and dictates. The problem comes when Islamic peoples place their religious laws above those of our government. Their allegiances are to Islam and not America.
Our free society allows Muslims to live in America and some openly express their contempt for us and their desire to destroy our country. We cannot know what is in the mind of one so that brings into question the thoughts of all. These Muslims are protected by our laws now, but how long will the American people allow the protection to continue? Herein lies the coming breech in our venerated Freedom of Religion.
