Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Why We Need Freedom From Religion

Have you ever heard some activist say, "In America, we have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion?" My latest post at The Objective Standard is up. I ask the question, "Do we properly have freedom from religion?"

Learn why the answer is yes by reading my post Freedom Of Religion Demands Freedom From Religion.

As an afterword, I would point out that the First Amendment clearly supports this view.


The First Amendment specifically states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The principle involved has one meaning and one meaning only: No one shall be able to employ the coercive legal machinery of government in any way or form to impose his religious views on others—that is, everyone is guaranteed freedom from religion.

Freedom from religion is the first principle that makes possible the second of the First Amendment’s Separation mandates; that "congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise thereof." You can not have freedom of religion, unless your inalienable right to freedom from religion is protected. The link between the two principles was understood by the Founding Fathers, and the First Amendment is a clear statement to that effect.


Related Reading:

Jefferson and the Separation of Church and State

On Church-State Separation

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