I have no idea the religious demographics of this forum. I will start this thread by saying that I am in the US and I have no problem with religions and their religious followers doing religious activities as an expression of their faith.
That is, I agree with the establishment clause of the first amendment.
I'm making this post at all because I am overwhelmed and angry by all of the religious groups in the US* who are using the first amendment as if it is divorced from the context of the establishment clause. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. The government being unable to establish an official religion or favor a specific religion doesn't just mean that the government can't specifically favor a given religion. It also bifurcates the actions and responsibilities of a church and actions and responsibilities of a state. Why? Because if, at any time, a church or religious institution takes on the responsibility a government should have towards its citizens then it is a tacit establishment of that religion as authoritative for directing commmunuty and civic life.
Put simply: this means that those instituons affiliated with a given religion, or a follower of a given religion, when acting as an agent of the religion or affiliate religious institution, cannot and should not do civic work related to a community, state, or peoples.
This rant is inspired by a church in my city which wants to build a shelter for human sex trafficking victims. A worthy cause, but to do so they bullied, bribed, and threatened to sue (on the grounds of religious liberty burdens) city council if they did not vote their way for the shelter. Additionally, the church is not following any of the state regulations regarding safety procedures and confidentiality for victims of sex trafficking. And they're getting away with it. Because religious liberty.
It triggers my despair. It makes me want to give up and ctb.
That is, I agree with the establishment clause of the first amendment.
I'm making this post at all because I am overwhelmed and angry by all of the religious groups in the US* who are using the first amendment as if it is divorced from the context of the establishment clause. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. The government being unable to establish an official religion or favor a specific religion doesn't just mean that the government can't specifically favor a given religion. It also bifurcates the actions and responsibilities of a church and actions and responsibilities of a state. Why? Because if, at any time, a church or religious institution takes on the responsibility a government should have towards its citizens then it is a tacit establishment of that religion as authoritative for directing commmunuty and civic life.
Put simply: this means that those instituons affiliated with a given religion, or a follower of a given religion, when acting as an agent of the religion or affiliate religious institution, cannot and should not do civic work related to a community, state, or peoples.
This rant is inspired by a church in my city which wants to build a shelter for human sex trafficking victims. A worthy cause, but to do so they bullied, bribed, and threatened to sue (on the grounds of religious liberty burdens) city council if they did not vote their way for the shelter. Additionally, the church is not following any of the state regulations regarding safety procedures and confidentiality for victims of sex trafficking. And they're getting away with it. Because religious liberty.
It triggers my despair. It makes me want to give up and ctb.
