Words: 955
Whenever somebody mentions religion and the government in the same sentence, it seems to be very controversial. The word religion seems to frighten most of society these days, whereas the government and/ or politics are discussed frequently. There is a thin line between religion and government. What is religion exactly? How do we as a society view religion differently than we have in the past? The relationship between government and religion is quite controversial.
What are politics have to do with religion? If we as a country have the right to freedom of speech and/or beliefs, why are we keeping them hidden? Has the government taken total control without us noticing? The meaning of Spirituality Is an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being. Spiritual practices, Including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are Intended to develop an Individual’s Inner life. Whereas religion Is an organized collection of beliefs and world views. Many religions have symbols and sacred histories that explain the meaning of life, origin of life and the universe.
The easiest way to define religion is to refer to it as a belief in, or the worship of a god or gods. ‘ Religion has been a significant part our society and culture since the beginning of human civilization. The origins of religious beliefs in our ancestors are uncertain, yet the great world religions started as the movements of enlightenment and revitalization for communities seeking more answers to their problems. A lack of written records results in the fact that most of the knowledge about pre-holistic religion is from the archaeological records and other indirect sources.
Religious belief is the belief In the reality of the mythological, supernatural, or spiritual parts of a religion. Religious belief Is distinct from religious practice with some believers not practicing religion and some practitioners not believing religion. Religious beliefs often relate to the existence, characteristics and worship of a deity or deities, divine intervention in the universe and human life, or the deontological explanations for the values and practices centered on the teachings of a spiritual leader or group.
To say that there is “relationship” between government and religion is touchy. Politics are different from religion, but with our country, have a similar bond. Politics is from Greek: politicos, meaning “of, for, or relating to citizens”. It is also the practice and theory of influencing other people on a civic or individual level. Basically, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of organized control over a human community, which is particularly a state. The separation of church and state can signify how religion has become It’s own category.
It Is also the distance In the relationship between organized religion and the nation state. The phrase “separation of church and state” Itself does not appear In the united States Constitution. The First Amendment states prohibiting the free exercise thereof. ” However, the first amendment seems to be twisted and manipulated quite often. Government says we have the freedom of speech, religion, beliefs, etc. Based upon biased opinions, religious discrimination takes place.
The First Amendment “prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the redeem of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. ” This same amendment was made, on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights. Religious freedom in the United States is a right.
Freedom of religion or Freedom of belief is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to organized religion or belief in teaching, practice, and worship. The idea is generally known to include he freedom to change religion or to not follow any religion. The separation does not limit all elements of religion. For example, the country’s currency has the motto “In We Trust. ” When Congress begins its session, they begin it with a prayer. As well as the Pledge of Allegiance, which contains the phrase, “one nation, under God”.
Court rulings have upheld these religious references, officially viewing them as non- substantive “ceremonial deism”. This basically is Just a legal term used for religious statements that are by tradition and have no religious context. Recent lawsuits have unsuccessfully tried to challenge this term and/or view. There have been some expressions of religion on public property, including certain displays of the Ten Commandments in courtrooms or Nativity scenes on public land have been ruled to be unconstitutional.
For instance, a religious group cannot perform human sacrifice under the veil of separation of church and state because the government views it as murder and murder is illegal. Have we been suppressed to hiding our faith and/or beliefs? Most people in today’s society do not want to be viewed as “stupid” in the GE of technology, or they want to hide their beliefs in front of someone who is trying to sway their beliefs a different way. It’s easier to Just smile and nod.
Of course persecution is a huge reason to hide beliefs as well in specific countries. The government has different views on subjects ass religion. Most of these subjects are biased or personal opinions and do not accommodate the “fine line” between them. So why is religion considered taboo? Why does the government become so contradicting when speaking about specific religious aspects of society. Clearly there is religion behind everything we have known.