The Journaling of Hinton 389

Freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, involves two important components. The first is a prohibition on the "establishment of religion" by government - the separation of Church and State; and the second, ensures that the government allows for the practice of religion (Perry, 10). The Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Constitution). Also, the Fourteenth Amendment supports freedom of religion as it includes a provision protecting the rights of individuals from the encroachment of state law (Constitution). Many important court cases throughout American history have further helped to refine the limits of freedom of religion as laid out in the Constitution (ACLU). This paper will provide background on the origins of religious freedom, with a focus on the West - particularly the United States. Freedom of religion is of special importance in the U.S., as this country ranks among the first of the "advanced" democracies in religious faith and practice. This post has been written by Essay Freelance Writers.

There is evidence of concern about the freedom of religion from as early as the First Century, A.D. As a Roman convert to Christianity, Tertullian wrote, "we give offense to the Romans, as we are excluded from the rights and privileges of Romans, because we do not worship the Gods of Rome" (Tertullian, 25). He contested poor treatment based on his status as a religious minority. Other individuals of that time, like Tertullian, also promoted religious liberty. Another historical period in which religious liberty was brought to the forefront was in Medieval Europe. There, in the 13th Century, the historically prominent theologian Thomas Aquinas expressed his views on religious freedom. He had a negative perception about much freedom of religion, especially with regard to heretics. He promoted religious toleration only because as forcing individuals to convert might weaken the Church (Aquinas, 55). Some important thinkers of the time supported the free exercise of religion, although Medieval Europe did persecute individuals on religious grounds, as it allowed the death penalty for blasphemy; heretics were sometimes burned to death (Mullan, 86, 94). This was not only a time in which the imposition of religion concerned some about liberty.

Some people also expressed fears about religious pluralism insofar as it had the potential to create conflict (117). Others would later express these same fears as the United States came to include individuals of many religious backgrounds. These noted beliefs were important components of and background for the establishment of religious freedom in the United States. The ratification of the First Amendment of the Constitution was completed by 1791 (Constitution). Much of the importance of freedom of religion in the United States involves the extent to which a religious groups' practices violate the law or infringe on the liberty of others, or in which the government infringes on religious liberty. Though religious freedom plays an important role in the U.S. This can lead to problems like conflict between religious groups, preventing individuals from forming religious bodies, keeping individuals from engaging in religious practices, or forcing them into the religious practices of others. Important religious freedom issues in the U.S. Freedom of religion ties into the philanthropic (nonprofit) sector in many ways.

Although freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Constitution, nonprofit organizations are not always held strictly to Constitutional or legal standards. Legal standards affecting freedom of religion as expressed in nonprofits may come into conflict. For instance, the Boy Scouts have been challenged numerously as a Christian boys organization that chooses to exclude atheists and gays (Reilly). Also, the extent to which faith-based nonprofit organizations express their religious values (especially those receiving government funding) has proven to be an area of contention. Editors Note: All of the religious organizations in the United States exist as key components of the Independent Sector. The vast majority of gifts/donations go to religious organizations. In addition, the philosophical basis for many acts of charity and philanthropy are frequently founded in religious tradition. Freedom of religion can be tied into Social Studies in the subjects of American and World History, Government/Civics, and/or Western Civilization. History provides many examples of the development of religious groups and challenges to their freedom, both in the U.S. In many cases, the study of violent conflict involves religious differences between groups.

One example of a group whose religious practices have come into conflict with the law, historically, is the Mormons in the United States. Such a case, or other examples of the Church and State coming into contact and conflict, could also be discussed in the context of Government/Civics. Also, religious freedom has played an important role in Western nations, thus making it a good angle from which to approach a course on Western Civilization. Freedom of speech, separation of Church and State, religious conflict, state religions (internationally). Freedom in America Essay in the history of freedom of religion were described earlier in the "History" section. Important figures in regard to religious freedom in the United States include Thomas Jefferson, John Stuart Mill, and Reinhold Niebuhr. A crucial organization in relation to freedom of religion is one of the primary defenders of that right - the American Civil Liberties Union. Also the ACLU has taken stances limiting religious freedoms, as they have sometimes placed other civil rights, such as sexual orientation, above religious liberty. Other important broad-based nonprofit groups promoting religious freedom have been Catholic churches and nonprofit advocacy organizations.