From Law to Grace » Entries tagged with "Freedom of Religion"
Muslims, Headgear & Amusement Parks
One of the wonderful freedoms that we enjoy in America is the freedom of religion. Enshrined as the first right in the First Amendment, Americans are free to practice (or not practice) the religion of their choice without fear of undue or unreasonable government interference. While the First Amendment is directed primarily at what government can and cannot do regarding a person’s religious expression, there are safeguards in place to accommodate religious beliefs in the workplace and in other venues as well. Our religious beliefs and practices should not trump common-sense regulations designed to protect all citizens. For example, no one, regarless of their faith, should be able to have a driver’s license picture taken with their face fully or partially covered so as to obscure the identity of the license holder. … Read entire article »
Sharia Law: Constitutional Menace or a Religious Freedom?
When you hear the words, “Sharia Law,” what immediately comes to mind? If you said an Islamic legal code that is incompatible with the laws of our nation and states, you would probably be in “good” company, at least in Oklahoma. Whether or not you would be 100% correct is debatable. I must admit that when I hear “Sharia Law,” I do not have a positive dispostion toward this Islamic code. I suspect this is the case with many people, including many Southern Baptists. Our reticence in allowing Sharia Law to be used AT ALL in the United States may stem from its misuse in foreign lands, countries which simply lack the freedoms that we enjoy here in America. Our sensibilities — rightly so — are offended when we hear stories of what most Americans would consider cruel and unusual punishment. To … Read entire article »
Filed under: Freedom of Religion, Freedoms, Islam, Law, Religion
Methodists Cover Cross in NJ: Education Trumps Faith
In Neptune Township, NJ, education trumped faith with assists from the A.C.L.U. and some local Methodists. I’m sure the Wesley Brothers would be so proud that the Great Auditorium, owned and operated by the Methodist-affiliated Camp Meeting Association, can host the traditional graduation ceremony for the local public high school in this New Jersey town. They might not be as proud that these Methodists agreed to cover a cross and other religious banners inside this 6,500 seat facility to accommodate a government school’s graduation. Of course, the kerfuffle all started when the grandmother of one of last year’s graduating seniors took offense at certain aspects of her granddaughter’s public high school graduation ceremony, held at the Great Auditorium: The conflict began after the grandmother of one of last year’s graduates complained not only about … Read entire article »
Filed under: Freedom of Religion, Government, Law
Westboro’s Free Speech Win: Repugnant Yet Right
“Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and—as it did here—inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a Nation we have chosen a different course—to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield Westboro from tort liability for its picketing in this case.” (Majority Opinion of the Court, delivered by Chief Justice John Roberts, in ALBERT SNYDER, PETITIONER v. FRED W. PHELPS, SR., ET AL., March 2, 2011) In an opinion delivered by Chief Justice John Roberts, an 8-1 majority of the United States Supreme Court handed Westboro ”Baptist Church” a victory in a much-anticipated First Amendment ruling … Read entire article »
Filed under: Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedoms, Law