Easter Thought: Freedom Of Religion Or Freedom From Religion?
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In a democratic society, like the Philippines, the “freedom of religion” is guaranteed, and people have the choice what to believe and what not to believe. As a result, our society have different variations of faith, compelling some sectors not to believe on anything. And in the middle of all of these, a new advocacy emerged, that is the “freedom from religion”. There is a difference, though, between the two freedoms, the first freedom (of religion)– people have the freedom to express and explain what they thought is right. In the process, they may be able to convince others to join their belief or non belief. On the other freedom (from religion), people are regulated to express their faith publicly. It appears to me though, that the second freedom (from religion) is no different from having a state religion– the restriction on the exercise and expression of faith other than what the state embraces. Non belief on the existence of a supreme being is a religion in itself. And to restrict the expression of another belief because of ones dissenting belief is tantamount to enforcing a state religion. The basic premise of a democratic society is our ability to express and reason out, likewise, giving opportunity for the listeners to exercise his freedom to choose. Without this two elements, there could be no democracy. Now allow me to discuss another freedom that is relevant to Christians. Today, believers all over the world celebrates the resurrection of the Christ. But aside from the religious dogma, what’s in it to those who believe? Before I throw my two cents, allow me to lay down the foundation. Christianity is no magic, but a day to day decision that can lead to a transformed life. It starts with a decision and will end with a decision. Now, let me go back to my original question, what’s in it to those who believe on Jesus death and resurrection? I will not discuss about theology, If I do, I will have to open a new blog dedicated for that. In a nutshell, though, l would like to share what’s in it for the bloggers, entrepreneurs and professionals. FREEDOM While this is available for everyone, the “pacing” of the transformation is still dependent on the person. It’s like a gift that is already given but until the recipient claim and use the gift, it’s useless. Happy Easter everyone, Jesus is Alive! good read: Pursuing Your Destiny
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Comments
Freedom of religion in Pinas is a mere phrase in the constitution. We all know that the Catholic church has immense control on politicians because of its voting power . At one point it shamelessly suggested that it reviews ALL laws being passed by the legislature. It is utterly hypocritical to promote freedom of religion and enact laws based on religious convictions. The pathetic policy on population control is one that comes to mind. Gloria’s infamous statement on CNN that we “are controlled by Vatican” I guess tops it all.
There is of course an aspect wherein a man or woman believes in a supreme being, believes in God but s/he refuses to be “institutionalised”. Religion, I feel, has become much less than a manifestation of one’s faith. In some cases, as we see even in television, religion has become an adherence to other people’s ideologies and straying away from its real purpose where a person shares an existence with God. I’m glad of this Freedom “From” Religion thing because it gives me a chance to believe yet not be bound by otherwise silly rules.
Cheers! =)
Indeed! Relationship with the Divine is not a set of rules, but of connection, engagement and sharing.
The United States practices “freedom from religion” in their own littles ways. Like not making people practice their little religious rites in public places and not holding prayers in public schools and such.
Look at where it’s gotten them. I shudder to think at what the Philippines would be if we were to emulate the US in that way.
I hate it that Christianity is almost shoved down your throat in this country. But I’d hate it more if people were to lose the freedom to shove it down people’s throats. I’m not making sense.
Hi,
You’re making sense. You disliked the practice of state religion– wherein the faith is shoved down to your throat, as a matter of state policy.
But I also agree with you. If my history is correct, the US became great because of the trust of the early leaders to GOD (remember the imprint on their money?). But they swayed too much on the freedom they had, and they are slowly losing the powerhouse status.
Cheers!
Nice thoughts here sir Sonnie!
I read John Stott’s “Why I am a Christian” a few months ago. It presents a persuasive case for considering Christianity. Christianity is not only nice, but it is also true.
Pink Frog, this is in no way an expression of colonial mentality, but I happen to think that this is one of the few things Americans do right: they’ve managed to enforce the idea of a “wall of separation” between Church and State, with strong proponents for or against making their voices heard.
The principle of non-establishment of religion, contrary to many Christians’ fears, is not about imposing atheism on the populace, but it’s about making sure that no one religion gains a government-abetted monopoly over the rest.
It’s about making sure that every faith tradition gets the breathing space to practice as it pleases, without encroaching on the rights of other traditions or beliefs. The only way to ensure that, is to make sure that the government sides with no religion in particular. There (and even more so here), it’s harder in practice than on paper.
Also, while the government has been told to stop “shoving religion down people’s throats”, no such limitation has been imposed on citizens acting in their private capacity. This is why Pastor Phelps is still doing what he does best.
Sonnie, I beg to disagree - “In God We Trust” was only put on American money in the 1950s, to position the USA vis-a-vis the USSR and its “atheist government”; what better way of doing that than proclaiming trust in God on their money? If the US is indeed losing its powerhouse status, it surely is for far more complicated reasons than that “they swayed too much on the freedom they had”.
woahh… a loadful of infos 
. Thanks for the link, but the one of Pastor Phelps is not working, a bad link or site is down?
Metro Manila republik is still an infant in the field of religious freedom compare to “Singapore Inc.”
Ordinary folks in the city state can invoke that they are freethinker.
Here in Pinas, if you do that? It’s synonymous to satanism.
If that is not Pinoy Cave Mentality, ano tawag dun?
Sonnie, try again. It’s working fine on my end. If that doesn’t work, try Googling “God Hates Fags”.
Gilbert, Lee Kuan Yew is an admitted agnostic. But I don’t think it’s right to call our cultural aversion to atheism as “Pinoy Cave Mentality”. Problem kasi, non-Catholics don’t assert enough their right to a society that doesn’t unfairly favor Catholics or Catholicism. It’s not that Pinoys are primitive. Only rather insular, and in need of consciousness raising.
(I used to work in Singapore, by the way.)
[…] foreplay that leads to the release of intellectual juices on debatable issues. This post (freedom of religion or freedom from religion) merited a back link from the Two Edged Sword blog, though I have no idea of who the blogger […]
[…] foreplay that leads to the release of intellectual juices on debatable issues. This post “freedom of religion or freedom from religion” made it to the links of the Two Edged Sword blog, though I have no idea of who the blogger […]
what kind of freedom we want? If u r a slave of Xt u r free from the bondage of sin. f u r a slave of sin u r free from the rules of Xt. I’d better be a slave of Xt. at least, he promises heaven; i’ve something to hope for after death.
comment to bw:
Controlled by vatican? its not true. the vatican is not threatening anybody of burning at the stake for contraceptive programs. lalo na kung population control. the vatican advocates for population control; although, thru natural means not thru the artificial means propagated by capitalists. The catholic church has not been endorsing candidates(exemption: cory vs marcos). the inc is; it is controlling its adherents to vote for a candidate supportive to its beliefs and/or financial needs.
the catholic church in which the true Church of Xt subsists has a moral and spiritual obligation to be prophetic, to be a guardian on morality. hence, it must review all the laws of the state because laws have moral dimension. f u r a concern citizen, u also feel morally obliged to do the same.
we should review our concepts of freedom. let’s choose freedom from:
> sin
> falsehood
and let’s have the freedom to become slaves of Xt.
for feedback: ranatanauan@yahoo.com
bw Says:
April 10th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Freedom of religion in Pinas is a mere phrase in the constitution. We all know that the Catholic church has immense control on politicians because of its voting power . At one point it shamelessly suggested that it reviews ALL laws being passed by the legislature. It is utterly hypocritical to promote freedom of religion and enact laws based on religious convictions. The pathetic policy on population control is one that comes to mind. Gloria’s infamous statement on CNN that we “are controlled by Vatican” I guess tops it all.
We atheists have a saying - “atheism is a religion - like bald is a hair color.” Cheers.