This evening as I celebrated the glorious 4th among friends and relatives I was struck with the “American-ness” of it all.
The conversation, free and unrestrained, was born of a deep confidence that we will not be censured for the ideas we choose to express. A clergyman obliged a request to deliver again an excerpt from Sunday’s sermon. A lady cracked a political joke. A couple shared shocking memories of life as missionaries. A gentleman criticized a popular cult. A professor explained why he is unashamed to pass on a Biblical world view to his students.
Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are cornerstones of the American lifestyle. The basic rights are so ingrained in our psyches that we don’t even notice when we exercise them. Many of the world’s constitutions guarantee the right of the individual to worship as he pleases, but our Bill of Rights goes a crucial step farther, to protect the mandates of a worshiper’s conscience as he interacts with society.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This is why American Christians may legally persuade others to follow Christ; A volatile liberty unknown to many nations. To see a map and understand more about Religious Freedom in other countries click here. Find Nepal just north of India!
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This is why American Christians may legally persuade others to follow Christ; A volatile liberty unknown to many nations. To see a map and understand more about Religious Freedom in other countries click here. Find Nepal just north of India!
L.
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