NationStates Jolt Archive

I know that the Bill of Rights prevents the US government from prohibiting religious practices, so I am not asking if it is, but whether it should be.

Should the government have any responsibility to respect the religious beliefs of its citizens? I personally think that it shouldn't. The rights of people to worship are provided by the rights of assembly and free speech, but should the government respect religion when it encroaches on the public?

Respect? No.

Prohibit? Hell no.

To me, a government shouldn't pass any law that's motivated by religious belief, as religion is a selective thing.

Example - US and anti-homosexual electoral results recently.

It depends on how it encroaches on the rights of the public at large. For instance, if they want to go around knocking on doors trying to win converts that's ok, provided that they respect the law and leave if asked to. If, on the other hand, they decide to stand on street corners with a bullhorn shouting about their god, no. It impedes traffic, and may violate noise ordinances.

well, like free speech and freedom of the press, there ARE limitations on what you can do with your religion. for example you have to prove in court that your drug use is an integral part of your worship or its a no go

human sacrifice is not going to be legal in the US.

well, like free speech and freedom of the press, there ARE limitations on what you can do with your religion. for example you have to prove in court that your drug use is an integral part of your worship or its a no go

human sacrifice is not going to be legal in the US.

Do you think religion is a right, or should it be an extension of the freedoms of speech and assembly?

The right to believe in their deity of choice?

To not allow that would suggest you have some method of preventing them from believing in it.

One word: Secularity. Religion should be completely separate from government.

The right to believe in their deity of choice?

To not allow that would suggest you have some method of preventing them from believing in it.

Religion and belief are two very different things. I am talking about the practice of religion.

Religion and belief are two very different things. I am talking about the practice of religion.

Doesn't prayer count as free speech?

The right to practise your religion of choice in a private place, then?

I'd say given the fact that most people have religion in their lives, one way or another, and the trend that despotic rulers tend to go after religions (either all or all but one), enshrining a basic right to practise your religion in private can't hurt, so long as you build in controls ensuring secularism in government.

Do you think religion is a right, or should it be an extension of the freedoms of speech and assembly?
yes religion should be a right, subject to the same kinds of limitations we have on speech, assembly and press.

but NO religion should be illegal no matter how odious. religion is such an integral part of human society that there can be no real freedom without freedom of (and from) religion

No, it should be a left.

Doesn't prayer count as free speech?

That was addressed in my original post, I am wondering if religion should be considered a right beyond those provided for in the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of speech and assembly.

That was addressed in my original post, I am wondering if religion should be considered a right beyond those provided for in the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of speech and assembly.

Such as what? Stuff like human sacrifice and other religious practices people find unorthodox?

The right to practise your religion of choice in a private place, then?

I'd say given the fact that most people have religion in their lives, one way or another, and the trend that despotic rulers tend to go after religions (either all or all but one), enshrining a basic right to practise your religion in private can't hurt, so long as you build in controls ensuring secularism in government.

Actually, the majority of despotic rulers tend to use religion in public as a tool. Communistic despots are generally the only despots to not establish religion.

Such as what? Stuff like human sacrifice and other religious practices people find unorthodox?

Such as anything that may encroach on the rights of other people, anything that may be done in public.

Really? How's that done (in theory) with multiple religions permitted?

(Replying to #15)

I know that the Bill of Rights prevents the US government from prohibiting religious practices, so I am not asking if it is, but whether it should be.

Should the government have any responsibility to respect the religious beliefs of its citizens? I personally think that it shouldn't. The rights of people to worship are provided by the rights of assembly and free speech, but should the government respect religion when it encroaches on the public?
Religion is a right in my country (Canada), and my government respects religious beliefs of all its citizens. I think the U.S. should follow suit.

Such as anything that may encroach on the rights of other people, anything that may be done in public.

And what are the rights of other people?

Not to be offended?
Not to be influenced by religion?
Not to be killed?
Not to be harassed?
Not to be assaulted physically?

I mean, I can see that killing or assaulting someone as something that religion can't save your skin for, but if you get offended because some nut decides to parade around nude because his religion says that every St Patricks day he has to do it, well too bad.

Really? How's that done (in theory) with multiple religions permitted?

(Replying to #15)

I meant establish A religion, if that is not what a posted.

There's no right to not be offended.

However we don't allow nudity (at least I don't THINK we do :confused: ) because society would be rather freeeeeeeaky if everyone could go around nude.

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Vittos, wouldn't that fall under what I said (eliminating/diminishing all but one religion and promoting it)?

(Yeah, that diminishing bit is new. I realised that religions can be oppressed without being totally wiped out.)

And what are the rights of other people?

Not to be offended?
Not to be influenced by religion?
Not to be killed?
Not to be harassed?
Not to be assaulted physically?

I mean, I can see that killing or assaulting someone as something that religion can't save your skin for, but if you get offended because some nut decides to parade around nude because his religion says that every St Patricks day he has to do it, well too bad.

So you think religion should be a legal justification for actions. I mean, you think someone should be able to walk around naked (against the law) if his religion states he should?

Religion should be a right. Providing that it does not infringe on the rights of others. Example, you have the right to not be sacrificed, or the right to common displays of decency, the nudity issue. But people do have the right to believe what they will and practice what they believe. I however strongly disagree with the conversion of peoples. The door to door actions of methodists or jehovah's witnesses are infractions on people right to privacy, and in the religion if they hear the call of a god they will follow it.

Religion should be a right. Providing that it does not infringe on the rights of others. Example, you have the right to not be sacrificed, or the right to common displays of decency, the nudity issue. But people do have the right to believe what they will and practice what they believe. I however strongly disagree with the conversion of peoples. The door to door actions of methodists or jehovah's witnesses are infractions on people right to privacy, and in the religion if they hear the call of a god they will follow it.

All of the rights that you say should be given to religion are already covered in the Bill of Rights, so why should religion be considered a right?

perhaps religion is a right? You have religious freedom, isn't that right enough? I can't envision an addition to the constitution that would make religion more of a right.