Below is my Religious Freedom Essay for the Knights of Columbus Essay Writing Contest. I enjoyed expressing my views on this subject considering the conflicts about religion that are currently going on.
What Does Religious Freedom Mean To Me?
Imagine this picture. A magnificent blue sky with sunlight illuminating the joyous faces of people in a street sets the background of this scene. Laughter can be heard for miles and colorful streamers are scattered around the feet of dancers. A parade of various religious themed sections happily wave to onlookers. Now ask yourself this question. Would you be there? Would you be cheering everyone on and supporting this? Finally, is this possible in every country? Despite your answers for the first two questions, the last has certainly received the same answer from every reader. This is just one of the laundry lists of problems in the world. It’s truly saddening that people are not able to even put their faith into their religion because of a limit on it. Some people even go so far as to choose to hate others who are of a different religion or treat them differently. Religious freedom means not only the freedom to believe, but also the freedom not to.
There are all types of religions in this world, all with different values and beliefs. Contained in these religions’ writings there is almost always a mentioning of atheism or agnosticism. For example, in Christianity atheism or any form of it is frowned upon and classified as a sin. It’s fine to believe this, but not to act upon. Freedom of religion is not limited to just people who believe in a higher being than them. Others who think that a God does not exist or are neutral should not be physically or verbally shamed for this. Thinking this is true and keeping it to yourself is one thing, but condemning someone for it crosses a major boundary. Have hate or resentment for someone who is of different religion should not be tolerated.
In schools today, children are getting bullied for the reasons of sexuality, gender, or religion. This is no different from what adults do when they prohibit the freedom of religion. They have so many ill feelings about religion and want things to go their selfish ways so much, that they take away a human right if in a place of power. Even those in the workplace or public treat people in harsh ways because of religion. Especially with what is going on with harmful attacks, religion is being stereotyped even more. By mature adults doing this, they are setting all the wrong examples for our future generations to come. They need to realize that they are passing on attributes that will affect the personalities and actions of their children. By setting limits on another person’s thoughts and beliefs, our society is regressing instead of moving forward.
Religion gives us the ability to think, act, and rely on a constant source. By putting limits on what certain ones we can practice, is the equivalent of telling us exactly what to do. There should only be limits on religions when it comes to harming those around you. If the public safety is in danger, a limit is placed. Otherwise, you should be free to worship your own deities. Some people use their religions to make life decisions and want to pass it down to keep tradition. It can be an important part of a family or someone’s daily life. If you don’t believe in anything, then that is your right too. The same rules apply and you shouldn’t be treated any different. You can choose what you want to think and have faith in, it’s a simple concept.
Religious freedom is not only the freedom to believe, but also the freedom not to. Our world and time we live in has progressed so much that we have much to believe in. Our choices shouldn’t be limited to just one, two, or none at all. We shouldn’t have resentment towards others with a different religion or push our views onto people who don’t believe in them. We can have our beliefs, but not act on them when it comes to people who think in a different way. This all boils down to the fact that we can’t control the way people think. Everyone is different and we just need to accept that.
Imagine this picture. A magnificent blue sky with sunlight illuminating the joyous faces of people in a street sets the background of this scene. Laughter can be heard for miles and colorful streamers are scattered around the feet of dancers. A parade of various religious themed sections happily wave to onlookers. Now ask yourself this question. Would you be there? Would you be cheering everyone on and supporting this? Finally, is this possible in every country? Despite your answers for the first two questions, the last has certainly received the same answer from every reader. This is just one of the laundry lists of problems in the world. It’s truly saddening that people are not able to even put their faith into their religion because of a limit on it. Some people even go so far as to choose to hate others who are of a different religion or treat them differently. Religious freedom means not only the freedom to believe, but also the freedom not to.
There are all types of religions in this world, all with different values and beliefs. Contained in these religions’ writings there is almost always a mentioning of atheism or agnosticism. For example, in Christianity atheism or any form of it is frowned upon and classified as a sin. It’s fine to believe this, but not to act upon. Freedom of religion is not limited to just people who believe in a higher being than them. Others who think that a God does not exist or are neutral should not be physically or verbally shamed for this. Thinking this is true and keeping it to yourself is one thing, but condemning someone for it crosses a major boundary. Have hate or resentment for someone who is of different religion should not be tolerated.
In schools today, children are getting bullied for the reasons of sexuality, gender, or religion. This is no different from what adults do when they prohibit the freedom of religion. They have so many ill feelings about religion and want things to go their selfish ways so much, that they take away a human right if in a place of power. Even those in the workplace or public treat people in harsh ways because of religion. Especially with what is going on with harmful attacks, religion is being stereotyped even more. By mature adults doing this, they are setting all the wrong examples for our future generations to come. They need to realize that they are passing on attributes that will affect the personalities and actions of their children. By setting limits on another person’s thoughts and beliefs, our society is regressing instead of moving forward.
Religion gives us the ability to think, act, and rely on a constant source. By putting limits on what certain ones we can practice, is the equivalent of telling us exactly what to do. There should only be limits on religions when it comes to harming those around you. If the public safety is in danger, a limit is placed. Otherwise, you should be free to worship your own deities. Some people use their religions to make life decisions and want to pass it down to keep tradition. It can be an important part of a family or someone’s daily life. If you don’t believe in anything, then that is your right too. The same rules apply and you shouldn’t be treated any different. You can choose what you want to think and have faith in, it’s a simple concept.
Religious freedom is not only the freedom to believe, but also the freedom not to. Our world and time we live in has progressed so much that we have much to believe in. Our choices shouldn’t be limited to just one, two, or none at all. We shouldn’t have resentment towards others with a different religion or push our views onto people who don’t believe in them. We can have our beliefs, but not act on them when it comes to people who think in a different way. This all boils down to the fact that we can’t control the way people think. Everyone is different and we just need to accept that.