I have watched with interest as the debate in the U.S. has widened regarding the place of religion in the public and governmental sector. It is an entitlement debate. Some believe, since it has always been that way it should always be that way. Therefore, those who would have it as they have always had it consider themselves in the right while demanding that those who oppose, for example, displays on government property, look to the precedent established, and get out of the way. Sounds like bullying to me!
The rights of individuals, religious or not, do not depend on a majority vote. Perhaps, if we took a vote, Christians would dominate. I get that. But that is not the way our U.S. Constitution was written. It was not written to appease the Christian public, but rather, it was written to protect everyone, religious or not, even the minority and all faiths. So, when someone wants to sponsor a symbol of some kind on government property it becomes an issue when a minority find it impinging on the idea of fair play. No one is suggesting religious types are to be prohibited from displaying their affections toward/about a religious symbol. The private marketplace is open to any and all to display their religious affections. Rent a storefront, lease a sign, sponsor a radio program, build a church, mosque or synagogue, but don’t expect the government to appear to sponsor religion. The appearance of sponsoring one religious entity over another is akin to entitlement often due to many years of impermissible “sweetheart” affiliations with government. If religious institutions have to muscle their way into the forefront of governmental affiliation during various holy days of the year then where did the Christian biblical edict go that encourages us “in honor preferring one another” or, “love thy neighbor as thyself”? Bullying is not an attractive suit for any Christian or religious person.
Thoughts on Thoughts 