Reflections on Memorial Day
On this just-passed Memorial Day, I thank the soldiers who died defending our 1st Amendment rights, especially the freedom of religion.
Unfortunately many Republican Christians believe that it is the role of government to decide which religious beliefs and morals are right: Theirs of course. So much for keeping the government out of our lives.
Freedom of religion to some conservatives means the right to impose ones own beliefs and faith-based choices on others through restrictions in workplace benefits and government regulation of our personal faith-based decisions.
Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus knew that to trust government on matters of religion was a bad idea, and so do I.
History reminds us of the atrocities, corruption and loss of freedoms the Catholic Church inflicted on Europe during the Middle Ages. Religious freedom includes the right to help mankind in any way possible and to be inclusive or exclusive.
Religious freedom also includes the right to be intolerant, judgmental and discriminatory toward those who differ from their religious doctrines and to accept any belief or rejection of science they wish.
Our individual spiritual journey is in God’s hands and should not be subject to government regulation or interference.
Ross Carlson
Naperville