Announcement

Collapse

Christianity 201 Guidelines

Here
See more
See less

What should Christians think about religious freedom?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    What should Christians think about religious freedom?

    In a world that appears to be increasingly hostile to Christianity, many Christians are supporting religious freedom on pragmatic grounds. However, reading the Old Testament, one has a hard time seeing the Bible as unequivocally in favor of religious freedom. Witchcraft is a capital offense under the Old Covenant, for example. I think the Bible is silent about how to approach the issue in a pluralistic society (which the nation of Israel was not supposed to be). Paul did not smash the idols at Mars Hill, but had Christians possessed political power, what would he have thought about allowing them to remain? I honestly don't know.

    Christians have not always supported religious freedom. The Puritans escaped England to escape religious persecution, but did not tolerate other viewpoints. Catholics were openly persecuted in some colonies. However, Americans seem to generally accept that Roger Williams (a devout Christian) had the right idea in allowing religious freedom when he set up Rhode Island.
    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I don't particularly support it. We see the breakdown today, where supreme court justices swear by God to uphold the Constitution, and they don't believe in either God or the Constitution. Religious freedom is an illusion.

    Comment

    • #3
      Christians with the power to do so have often not allowed religious freedom, or placed restrictions upon it. Under the Mosaic Covenant, Jews (i.o.w., members of the covenant) were not allowed to deviate from it; however, Israel was not directed to rid the world of idols, and I don't recall aliens being restricted to following the Covenant.
      Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
      sigpic
      I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

      Comment

      • #4
        once you force Christianity on people it ceases to be Christianity.

        Comment

        • #5
          As a US citizen, I support the concept of religious freedom.

          As a Christian, I fully realize that may not always be the case, and admit that in parts of the world where religious freedom is severely restricted, the Church grows stronger.

          I often wonder if it's going to take a loss of religious liberty in order for Christianity in the US to mature.
          The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

          Comment

          • #6
            What was the original idea of religious freedom in the early USA?
            Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

            Comment

            • #7
              The original idea was simply that the federal government wouldn't have an official religion. Most of the individual states still kept their own official religions (types of Christianity) for a little while after the Constitution was passed, but then voluntarily got rid of them.

              Personally I don't think the government should be so specific as to create an official church. But certain blatantly false things like worshipping pagan gods and demons should be prohibited.

              Comment

              • #8
                I am pretty much an absolutist in terms of Bill of Rights guarantees.

                I believe that if they so desire, fools should be allowed to worship Odin, urinate on Crucifixes, or do whatever other perverse thing they wish, as long as they are not destroying property that is not their own or physically harming others.
                Geislerminian Antinomian Kenotic Charispneumaticostal Gender Mutualist-Egalitarian.

                Beige Federalist.

                Nationalist Christian.

                "Everybody is somebody's heretic."

                Social Justice is usually the opposite of actual justice.

                Proud member of the this space left blank community.

                Would-be Grand Vizier of the Padishah Maxi-Super-Ultra-Hyper-Mega-MAGA King Trumpius Rex.

                Justice for Ashli Babbitt!

                Justice for Matthew Perna!

                Arrest Ray Epps and his Fed bosses!

                Comment

                • #9
                  As written, the First Amendment not only prohibits Congress from establishing religion but also "prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
                  "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by KingsGambit
                    As written, the First Amendment not only prohibits Congress from establishing religion but also "prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
                    Since we had different states, with disagreements about which Christian church was best, the idea was that the federal government was supposed to be neutral.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                      As written, the First Amendment not only prohibits Congress from establishing religion but also "prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
                      And that is what the atheists and their buddies fail to grasp when they rip the "wall of separation" statement out of the context of Jefferson's letter to the Baptists.

                      In fact, I think the first amendment should be shortened to just the first five words.... "Congress shall make no law". Period. (kidding) (kinda)
                      The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Moderator Notice

                        37818 has permission to post in this thread.

                        ***If you wish to take issue with this notice DO NOT do so in this thread.***
                        Contact the forum moderator or an administrator in Private Message or email instead. If you feel you must publicly complain or whine, please take it to the Psychotherapy Room unless told otherwise.

                        "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                          As written, the First Amendment not only prohibits Congress from establishing religion but also "prohibiting the free exercise thereof".
                          Then, with the 14th amendment, which granted a citizenship to slaves, the Bill of Rights now were applied as a restriction upon the states in their dealings with such citizens.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            I think the following passage is quite clear that Christians should be in charge of the government. And the clear implication is that Christian laws should prevail, not pagan laws or atheistic (what the Bible calls "foolish") laws.

                            1 Corinthians 6:3-4 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.


                            @MikeWhitney

                            The Fourteenth Amendment was written during a war, and wasn't real well thought out. Whatever the intentions were in passing it, the wording of it wasn't the best.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                              In a world that appears to be increasingly hostile to Christianity, many Christians are supporting religious freedom on pragmatic grounds. However, reading the Old Testament, one has a hard time seeing the Bible as unequivocally in favor of religious freedom. Witchcraft is a capital offense under the Old Covenant, for example. I think the Bible is silent about how to approach the issue in a pluralistic society (which the nation of Israel was not supposed to be). Paul did not smash the idols at Mars Hill, but had Christians possessed political power, what would he have thought about allowing them to remain? I honestly don't know.

                              Christians have not always supported religious freedom. The Puritans escaped England to escape religious persecution, but did not tolerate other viewpoints. Catholics were openly persecuted in some colonies. However, Americans seem to generally accept that Roger Williams (a devout Christian) had the right idea in allowing religious freedom when he set up Rhode Island.
                              In light of the gosple of grace Christians should support soul liberty. The theocracy was given to the nation of Israel. Christians should acknowedge that theocracy is under the Law not under grace.

                              Roger Williams view of separation over church and state was over loyalty oaths and the fact in he came to the view over this that Christ forbade oaths of any kind (Matthew 5:33-37). The Quakers over this also is the reason for affirmation as opposed to oaths as an option are in the US Constitution for offices to be held.

                              The US motto is "In God we trust." And should not be regarded as any kind of goverment religion, government church. It was against atheistic communism.


                              [Posted by permission of KG.]
                              . . . the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; . . . -- Romans 1:16 KJV

                              . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: . . . -- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

                              Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: . . . -- 1 John 5:1 KJV

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              widgetinstance 221 (Related Threads) skipped due to lack of content & hide_module_if_empty option.
                              Working...
                              X