Doughty, I’m very concerned about the government trying desperately to redefine ‘free exercise’ as ‘free worship’. We must be willing to have someone handing out gospel tracts on sidewalks, preaching in a park, singing in a mall, trying to talk to us as we walk, knocking on our doors, and starting soup lines, clothing drives, and counseling centers.
Your freeper page says you are a strong Trinitarian believer in Jesus Christ. That’s good. We’re blessed to be able to put our Christian positions up front here on Free Republic.
That should be the norm for living.
And, truly, as Marlowe pointed out, if every church were feeding the poor in their own area, then there would be no problem.
My bottom line: no religion police. Ever.
I understand your position. Like I said, I have advocated for some restraint here, but that’s only my voice.
Let’s think about it this way. Since you don’t agree with any religious restraint, do you then approve of churches that allow illegals to live in the basement, and claim the government has no right to object?
We could probably come up with some other instances where it might be reasoned for the government to have a legitimate voice in the matter.
I also want tracts and reasoned outreach to take place, so I am sensitive to that issue.
I just wonder if at times we don’t draw the line at a place where it would be best if we didn’t.
Take care guys.
I would agree with you, provided one condition exists. Define "Religion" by Federal Statute (e.g. All Russian Spetnaz Units cannot declare themselves a "religion.")
I know of at least one religion in which its violent military and unrestrained nature overwhelms whatever spiritual value it may have.
Do Rastafarians have a constitutional right to smoke marijuana?
Do the FLDS have a constitutional right to practice polygamy?
Do Moloch worshipers have a right to perform human sacrifice?