Sunday Sermon
As I take this pulpit, dear congregation, and look out on your smiling faces, I am reminded that the founders of our great country, wise and full of foresight, specifically addressed the topic of religion when creating the rules by which our republic should be governed. They gave us all:
Freedom of religion.
As individuals, we are free to choose our own religion… or not. As citizens, we cannot be forced to follow a government-mandated religion. As people, we hold this aspect of our lives personal… and have the sole right to choose our innermost beliefs.
As it should be.
Somehow, though… and it’s been within the past few decades… the relationship between government and religion has been distorted. I am absolutely certain this is a result of efforts by certain minority factions of our population who have been politically astute and manipulated the system to impose THEIR beliefs on the majority. They accomplished this by changing perceptions:
“Freedom OF religion” has been twisted into “Freedom FROM religion”… and there IS a difference.
“Freedom from religion” would seem to establish a standard by which someone could expect to not even be exposed to ANY ASPECT of ANY TYPE of religion at all. My limited experience indicates that such a sterile environment does not exist. I contend it cannot be found anywhere on this planet. But, IF that is the standard, then there are a multitude of situations where it is violated. We have seen legal cases where this unrealistic standard has been brought to bear with previously unthinkable outcomes (by the majority)… and continues to be.
And, if this continues, it’s just a matter of time before EVERY TARGET will crumble. The minority will have vanquished the majority. Given the nature and history of humanity, I predict the result will not be the utopia envisioned by the minority.
Amen, I say to you, stand firm in your beliefs. Hold them close, whatever they are. Do not impose them on others… but also do not let others take them away.
