The importance of freedom of religion

I learned something new today. Normally I like learning new things. But this was the first time in a very long time that I learned something I genuinely didn't want to know. Having grown up in southeast Kentucky and south Georgia, I'm more familiar than I would like to be with outright bigotry. I always thought it was limited to a few people, most of whom I wouldn't want to associate with anyway. Today, though, I learned that it is more widespread than I originally thought.

I didn't realize that there are intelligent, educated people out there who genuinely believe we should not have freedom of religion. Apparently freedom is good, but their choices should be "limited". Really? Because I thought that the freedom to worship as one chose was the reason the Pilgrims came to America in the first place. And the Quakers. And many of the Irish Catholics. And the Jews during the Holocaust. Hell, where would our country be without religious freedom? Would we even have a country?

Who the hell is one person to decide that everyone should HAVE to choose that particular religion? Isn't this how the holocaust started? This brings me to another concern. After 9/11, I think a backlash against Muslims was expected, if not acceptable. I expected it to blow over in a month or so. It hasn't. I'm seeing a growing movement against Islam in general, which ignores the fact that the vast majority of muslims are not terrorists. (For the record, not all Christians are abortion clinic bombers or Westboro Baptist Church members either, but I digress.) It's not getting better, it's getting worse. People don't want "them" living in their neighborhoods. Well known political leaders openly announce that they would not hire a Muslim. People get uncomfortable if they see them praying in public. (I don't remember ever seeing a Muslim complain about a Christian family praying at a restaurant before dinner). They go to great lengths to ensure that only certain religions can build houses of worship in their area.

Wake up and read your history. We need to stop this right now. If we don't, all it will take is one extremely articulate political leader to start it all over again.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

-Pastor Martin Niemoller, Holocaust victim.