Freedom of Religion!” Matt. 22:20-22
The Fourth of July weekend brings parades, picnics and fireworks as we celebrate our country’s birthday. Recognizing how precious the life and opportunities we are given in our country, cherishing our citizenship, moves us to share our thankfulness with those we love and with whom we live. What we are celebrating is truly a gift of God recognized in the very Declaration of Independence with these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As followers of Christ, we celebrate our country and it’s founding with an insight and clarity of Creator who gives us both an earthly government and a heavenly government. Two kingdoms, separate but connected as Jesus revealed answering a question of the Pharisees designed to trap Him. The question was, “should we followers of God pay taxes and thus pay tribute to the Roman Emperor who calls himself God?” Jesus answered with these words, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” (Matt. 22:21) Those that heard the words of Jesus were amazed. Understanding that we are citizens of both “kingdoms” give us a unique understanding of God’s blessing us with the freedom to worship Him in this country we call our home. Yet, the question remains, might we lose the right to worship as we choose? More ominously, what religious freedoms have we already lost?
Life Received, Life Together, Life Giving- John 10:10
Question: What grants us the Freedom of Religion in United States ?
Answer: The United States Constitution addresses the issue of religion in two places: in the First Amendment, and the Article VI prohibition on religious testsas a condition for holding public office. The First Amendment prohibits the Congress from making a law “respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.