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Does the Constitution Really Say Freedom of Religion?

Media_Truth

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My church showed a film by a group called the Wall-Builders that stated that the intent of the 1st amendment wasn't Freedom of Religion, but Freedom of Conscience. This was in the 2nd last week before the election. They followed that up with a video clip - a plea from Ben Carson for a vote for Republican candidates.

I didn't think Freedom of Religion was questioned in this country. From what I've read, James Madison, who authored the Bill of Rights (the 1st ten amendments), took the exact text from the Virginia Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia. He was a self-professed Deist, and constantly spoke about Freedom of Religion. Jefferson and Madison, both Virginians, were friends for over 50 years.
 
My church showed a film by a group called the Wall-Builders that stated that the intent of the 1st amendment wasn't Freedom of Religion, but Freedom of Conscience. This was in the 2nd last week before the election. They followed that up with a video clip - a plea from Ben Carson for a vote for Republican candidates.

I didn't think Freedom of Religion was questioned in this country. From what I've read, James Madison, who authored the Bill of Rights (the 1st ten amendments), took the exact text from the Virginia Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia. He was a self-professed Deist, and constantly spoke about Freedom of Religion. Jefferson and Madison, both Virginians, were friends for over 50 years.

Freak group. They also claim weed is killing people, Obama set Israel up for destruction , and Thomas Jefferson didn't **** slaves. If you belive this you are naive. If your church spewed this non sense to you, you should run, run fast.
 
Unfortunately many American Christians don't believe we have freedom of religion, only a freedom to believe THEIR religion. Yes we have that constitutional right and you should avoid hanging around people who disagree or oppose it.

And FYI, Jesus was the kind of person who tore down walls between people, not someone who erected them. I'd question how Christlike someone can be if they consider themselves a "Wall Builder".
 
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My church showed a film by a group called the Wall-Builders that stated that the intent of the 1st amendment wasn't Freedom of Religion, but Freedom of Conscience. This was in the 2nd last week before the election. They followed that up with a video clip - a plea from Ben Carson for a vote for Republican candidates.

I didn't think Freedom of Religion was questioned in this country. From what I've read, James Madison, who authored the Bill of Rights (the 1st ten amendments), took the exact text from the Virginia Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia. He was a self-professed Deist, and constantly spoke about Freedom of Religion. Jefferson and Madison, both Virginians, were friends for over 50 years.

Why is your church preaching politics?
 
Freak group. They also claim weed is killing people, Obama set Israel up for destruction , and Thomas Jefferson didn't **** slaves. If you belive this you are naive. If your church spewed this non sense to you, you should run, run fast.

Good advice. I did just that. However, my wife continues to attend there.
 
Unfortunately many American Christians don't believe we have freedom of religion, only a freedom to believe THEIR religion. Yes we have that constitutional right and you should avoid hanging around people who disagree or oppose it.

And FYI, Jesus was the kind of person who tore down walls between people, not someone who erected them. I'd question how Christlike someone can be if they consider themselves a "Wall Builder".

I agree whoeheartedly, and the following week, I attended and discussed the "Wall-Builder" logic at a pre-church meeting, which was very well-attended.
 
Why is your church preaching politics?

1.Because there is not a "one at a time" clause in the first amendment.Meaning they can preach about Jesus, run a newspaper, talk about politics, petition for a redress of grievances to the government, protest peacefully, and or talk about politics all at the same time.

2.Its the duty of any good religious leader to inform his or her congregation/members what moral choices their members should be making including picking politicians who are moral. I know leftist and die hard atheists believe that when you go vote that you are supposed to tell what ever god you believe in to go **** him or herself that you are going to vote however you want regardless if the candidate contradicts those religious beliefs.
 
Why is your church preaching politics?

I live in a rural area of Colorado, and this is fairly commonplace here. I think it's a lot more commonplace everywhere, than you may think. Years ago, we were attending a large congregational church, and after the service, the week before the election, Christian Coalition pamphlets appeared on windshields in the parking lot. The large amount of early voting here in Colorado thwarts their efforts. But I think they have a huge impact elsewhere. Every vote becomes a 2-vote swing.

2016 Voter Guide Project | Christian Coalition
 
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My church showed a film by a group called the Wall-Builders that stated that the intent of the 1st amendment wasn't Freedom of Religion, but Freedom of Conscience. This was in the 2nd last week before the election. They followed that up with a video clip - a plea from Ben Carson for a vote for Republican candidates.

I didn't think Freedom of Religion was questioned in this country. From what I've read, James Madison, who authored the Bill of Rights (the 1st ten amendments), took the exact text from the Virginia Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia. He was a self-professed Deist, and constantly spoke about Freedom of Religion. Jefferson and Madison, both Virginians, were friends for over 50 years.
The 1st amendment is pretty "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". that means government can not prohibit any religion and has to take a neutral stance on religion.IE freedom of religion. Freedom of conscience is a by-product of that due to the fact that is part of exercising your religion.Much the same way the right to privacy is a by-product of the 4th amendment due to law enforcement needing warrants based on probable cause to search people and their belongings and to seize persons and property(people deliberately try to claim the 4th amendment is about privacy in order to say well since you are outside then you have no expectation of privacy in order to get around the 4th amendment ).
 
The 1st amendment is pretty "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". that means government can not prohibit any religion and has to take a neutral stance on religion.IE freedom of religion. Freedom of conscience is a by-product of that due to the fact that is part of exercising your religion.Much the same way the right to privacy is a by-product of the 4th amendment due to law enforcement needing warrants based on probable cause to search people and their belongings and to seize persons and property(people deliberately try to claim the 4th amendment is about privacy in order to say well since you are outside then you have no expectation of privacy in order to get around the 4th amendment ).

Key statement being "neutral stance". Yes, the First Amendment requires the government be neutral on all matters religious. Some people have a hard time understanding that simple requirement.
 
Unfortunately many American Christians don't believe we have freedom of religion, only a freedom to believe THEIR religion. Yes we have that constitutional right and you should avoid hanging around people who disagree or oppose it.

And FYI, Jesus was the kind of person who tore down walls between people, not someone who erected them. I'd question how Christlike someone can be if they consider themselves a "Wall Builder".

When a government will allow a manorah or any other type of religious symbol in the name of diversity but refuses to allow a manager scene or anything to do with Christian religion because it might offend someone then yea go figure on that one.
 
1.Because there is not a "one at a time" clause in the first amendment.Meaning they can preach about Jesus, run a newspaper, talk about politics, petition for a redress of grievances to the government, protest peacefully, and or talk about politics all at the same time.

2.Its the duty of any good religious leader to inform his or her congregation/members what moral choices their members should be making including picking politicians who are moral. I know leftist and die hard atheists believe that when you go vote that you are supposed to tell what ever god you believe in to go **** him or herself that you are going to vote however you want regardless if the candidate contradicts those religious beliefs.
All of what you said is true; however, the only gripe that I have is that they're not receiving a tax bill for performing those activities of conspicuously supporting a certain candidate. (and I have seen this done with both sides of the political mainstream, too.)
 
Wall Builders is David Barton's puppy.

Look him up. He's been caught fabricating so many times it isn't funny.
 
When a government will allow a manorah or any other type of religious symbol in the name of diversity but refuses to allow a manager scene or anything to do with Christian religion because it might offend someone then yea go figure on that one.

Can you show when and where manger scenes were banned from the US? You don't want religious freedom, you want religious domination by having local governments erect nativity scenes and support YOUR religion. Would you feel the same way if the muslims and satanists set up their religious monuments on government property with tax payer dollars?

You want to mix government and religion but only when it's your own. If you weren't bent on religious domination you'd be happy with the nativity scene at the church and wouldn't demand to force it on everyone else through the government.

1.Because there is not a "one at a time" clause in the first amendment.Meaning they can preach about Jesus, run a newspaper, talk about politics, petition for a redress of grievances to the government, protest peacefully, and or talk about politics all at the same time.

2.Its the duty of any good religious leader to inform his or her congregation/members what moral choices their members should be making including picking politicians who are moral. I know leftist and die hard atheists believe that when you go vote that you are supposed to tell what ever god you believe in to go **** him or herself that you are going to vote however you want regardless if the candidate contradicts those religious beliefs.

If American christians gave one flying **** about their religious beliefs when selecting politicians they wouldn't have overwhelmingly chosen Donald Trump. You literally couldn't invent a less Christ-like person if you tried. What it really is is you choose whatever candidate supports your own subjective beliefs then pretend god supports your choice as some kind of cosmic justification.
 
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When a government will allow a manorah or any other type of religious symbol in the name of diversity but refuses to allow a manager scene or anything to do with Christian religion because it might offend someone then yea go figure on that one.

Where is your backing for this statement? Something said by Glenn Beck o FOX LIES? It amazes that Beck can even seem Christian to anybody, with all his lies.
 
Can you show when and where manger scenes were banned from the US? You don't want religious freedom, you want religious domination by having local governments erect nativity scenes and support YOUR religion. Would you feel the same way if the muslims and satanists set up their religious monuments on government property with tax payer dollars?

You want to mix government and religion but only when it's your own. If you weren't bent on religious domination you'd be happy with the nativity scene at the church and wouldn't demand to force it on everyone else through the government.



If American christians gave one flying **** about their religious beliefs when selecting politicians they wouldn't have overwhelmingly chosen Donald Trump. You literally couldn't invent a less Christ-like person if you tried. What it really is is you choose whatever candidate supports your own subjective beliefs then pretend god supports your choice as some kind of cosmic justification.

WOW! Incredibly well-said. If you run for president in 2020, I'll vote for you :peace
 
Where is your backing for this statement? Something said by Glenn Beck o FOX LIES? It amazes that Beck can even seem Christian to anybody, with all his lies.

Umm don't read or watch the news very much do you?
It happens all the time.
 
1.Because there is not a "one at a time" clause in the first amendment.Meaning they can preach about Jesus, run a newspaper, talk about politics, petition for a redress of grievances to the government, protest peacefully, and or talk about politics all at the same time.

2.Its the duty of any good religious leader to inform his or her congregation/members what moral choices their members should be making including picking politicians who are moral. I know leftist and die hard atheists believe that when you go vote that you are supposed to tell what ever god you believe in to go **** him or herself that you are going to vote however you want regardless if the candidate contradicts those religious beliefs.
A church could lose it's tax exempt status for preaching politics and/or interfering in an election...

"...The Pew Research Center developed an extensive guide to answer questions about churches, politics, and tax laws. It’s called, “Preaching Politics From The Pulpit.” If caught breaking federal laws, religious organizations may have their tax exemption status revoked. This can lead to a loss of substantial cash back tax benefits equaling large amounts of money.

According to Pew, to qualify for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must meet the following requirements:

"...The organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific or other charitable purposes;

Net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder;

No substantial part of the organization’s activities may involve attempts to influence legislation;

The organization may not intervene in political campaigns;

The organization’s purposes or activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.​

Preaching Politics From the Pulpit | Pew Research Center
 
My church showed a film by a group called the Wall-Builders that stated that the intent of the 1st amendment wasn't Freedom of Religion, but Freedom of Conscience. This was in the 2nd last week before the election. They followed that up with a video clip - a plea from Ben Carson for a vote for Republican candidates.

I didn't think Freedom of Religion was questioned in this country. From what I've read, James Madison, who authored the Bill of Rights (the 1st ten amendments), took the exact text from the Virginia Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the governor of Virginia. He was a self-professed Deist, and constantly spoke about Freedom of Religion. Jefferson and Madison, both Virginians, were friends for over 50 years.

In the actual literal writing no, in the meaning of the writing yes. The constitution grants freedom of religion with some restrictions. The example of restrictions is like the second amendment gives the right to bear arms but does not grant you the right to shoot someone for no reason, similiar is applied with religion where you are free to worship, but you are not free to do religious practices like human sacrifices, or any others that cause harm to others.

Outside of some of those small limitations it grants you the right to freakin worship oak trees if you wish. Oh another exception is military, military does not prohibit religious practices in general, but prohibits religions that can not participate in violence and war, since war is its job descriptions.
 
Unfortunately many American Christians don't believe we have freedom of religion, only a freedom to believe THEIR religion. Yes we have that constitutional right and you should avoid hanging around people who disagree or oppose it.

And FYI, Jesus was the kind of person who tore down walls between people, not someone who erected them. I'd question how Christlike someone can be if they consider themselves a "Wall Builder".

That part of Christ has been traded in for the heretic "Jesus is God" Gospel. You're dealing with people today who think they are saved simply because they believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate. Deeds no longer matter to them.
 
There is no freedom of religion or freedom from religion in the Bill of Rights. Both are positive rights and the rights in the Bill of Rights are negative rights.
 
1.Because there is not a "one at a time" clause in the first amendment.Meaning they can preach about Jesus, run a newspaper, talk about politics, petition for a redress of grievances to the government, protest peacefully, and or talk about politics all at the same time.

2.Its the duty of any good religious leader to inform his or her congregation/members what moral choices their members should be making including picking politicians who are moral. I know leftist and die hard atheists believe that when you go vote that you are supposed to tell what ever god you believe in to go **** him or herself that you are going to vote however you want regardless if the candidate contradicts those religious beliefs.

Arguably they can't.

The IRS continues to make it clear that political campaign intervention by 501(c)(3) organizations including churches is absolutely prohibited.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes

From Forbes.
 
Arguably they can't.

The IRS continues to make it clear that political campaign intervention by 501(c)(3) organizations including churches is absolutely prohibited.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes

From Forbes.

Revoking a church's 501, if they have one, does not affect their tax exempt status. They are two different things and a church does not need a 501 to be tax exempt.
 
A church could lose it's tax exempt status for preaching politics and/or interfering in an election...

"...The Pew Research Center developed an extensive guide to answer questions about churches, politics, and tax laws. It’s called, “Preaching Politics From The Pulpit.” If caught breaking federal laws, religious organizations may have their tax exemption status revoked. This can lead to a loss of substantial cash back tax benefits equaling large amounts of money.

According to Pew, to qualify for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must meet the following requirements:

"...The organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific or other charitable purposes;

Net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder;

No substantial part of the organization’s activities may involve attempts to influence legislation;

The organization may not intervene in political campaigns;

The organization’s purposes or activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.​

Preaching Politics From the Pulpit | Pew Research Center

I agree, but it's seldom enforced. This "ground game" turned the election. While Democrats were watching the polls, Republicans were busy preaching from the pulpit, putting flyers on cars, playing Ben Carson on big-screen TVs, etc.. The Fear-of-God vote payed off, throughout the US, and made the polls look silly. The same thing happened in 2000, when Gore led in most polls. In 2000, a week before voting, an Arch-Bishop in Ohio stated that it was "A sin to vote for Al Gore". Duhbya won Ohio by a narrow margin.
 
A church could lose it's tax exempt status for preaching politics and/or interfering in an election...

"...The Pew Research Center developed an extensive guide to answer questions about churches, politics, and tax laws. It’s called, “Preaching Politics From The Pulpit.” If caught breaking federal laws, religious organizations may have their tax exemption status revoked. This can lead to a loss of substantial cash back tax benefits equaling large amounts of money.

According to Pew, to qualify for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must meet the following requirements:

"...The organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific or other charitable purposes;

Net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder;

No substantial part of the organization’s activities may involve attempts to influence legislation;

The organization may not intervene in political campaigns;

The organization’s purposes or activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.​

Preaching Politics From the Pulpit | Pew Research Center

Still does not change what I said.Church's have the constitutional right to say what ever they want and any good preacher,minister, Rabi or what ever religious leader has the duty to inform their congregation/members the moral choices they should be making including which voting for which politicians whose morals closely match theirs.
 
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