Thursday, July 19, 2012

Is Religious Freedom a Lie?

 
You decide. If you remember, among the very first settlers were Protestants seeking releaf from the oppression of their religious practices in England. They came here to escape from religious persecution. Later, when America won independence from England the ideals of religious freedom were enshrined in our most sacred documents. Nobody had to belong to a particular religion (so it said) or worship in any particular way. Everybody was welcome. Even people who had no desire to worship at all. So what happened along the way? One group of believers coopted the system and claims a mandate to be the official religion of the country. “This is a Christian  country” they proudly proclaim. Well, it ISN’T a Christian country. America is a country where ALL RELIGIONS are at least officially welcomed.
Then there is Tennessee. I am beginning to think that this state is not the “home of the free” but the “home of the narrow-minded, bigoted, ignorant masses”.  See, I am being kind. No New York language.  Since the beginning of the millennium many churches have been built and occupied in Tennessee. No problems with any of them. Along comes a mosque and BOOM! Suddenly religious freedom is left behind. What a SHAMEFUL ATTITUDE. Read the quote below:

"If ICM were a Christian church, it would have been granted a certificate of occupancy and would be worshipping in its new facility today," a memorandum to the federal court reads, citing 20 instances of Christian churches that have been allowed to build since 2000. " ... The discriminatory treatment of the mosque also sends a powerful message to the Muslim community that they are second-class citizens, not worthy of the same rights or protection as Christian churches." (1)
Kind’a makes you proud to be Amerikin, don’t it? (Hey Bubba, whar’s my Bud Lite at?)

Image: http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/7/2010/08/340x_mosque.jpg
1. http://news.yahoo.com/judge-grants-tenn-mosques-petition-open-221355614.html