Religious Freedom, what does it really mean?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Do religious practices require special protection? If history is any indication, unfortunately, yes - cultural/religious genocide attempts against indigenous peoples in particular has been far too common for me to say otherwise. Right now, a case is being considered that will rip children from their indigenous families and rob them of the ability to learn their cultural/religious traditions from the tribe. Without special consideration of cultural/religious elements - because goodness knows the Untied States can't be bothered to give much respect to the sovereignty of the First Nations - I'm not optimistic about how this case will be ruled by the current SCOTUS.

I'm not sure why this equates to religion needing special protection. You only really spoke to religion as an aspect of culture.

Is the religion of indigenous people more important than, say, their language or their traditional skills?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

We all know that there are people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others, who are convinced that "religious freedom" means that they have the right to have others behave in accord with their beliefs. Muslims who don't think anybody should draw pictures of their prophet naturally assume that this rule applies to everyone on earth, whether they're Muslim or not, and that they have the right to exact punishment for transgressors. There are Christians who believe that the 10 Commandments are the "Word of God," and therefore should be posted in front of court houses, or in schools, that try or teach non-Christians and even atheists.

What does "religious freedom" really mean to you? I've posted a few poll choices, but I can't guess them all, so of course I've provided an "Other" category -- which if you choose, I hope you will describe in more detail.

It means I'm legally entitled to be free of their dogma, garbage and crap running my life.

 

[1213]

Does it also mean that for people who hold contrary religious beliefs to yours?

I think so.

 

[Truthseeker]

We all know that there are people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others, who are convinced that "religious freedom" means that they have the right to have others behave in accord with their beliefs. Muslims who don't think anybody should draw pictures of their prophet naturally assume that this rule applies to everyone on earth, whether they're Muslim or not, and that they have the right to exact punishment for transgressors. There are Christians who believe that the 10 Commandments are the "Word of God," and therefore should be posted in front of court houses, or in schools, that try or teach non-Christians and even atheists.

What does "religious freedom" really mean to you? I've posted a few poll choices, but I can't guess them all, so of course I've provided an "Other" category -- which if you choose, I hope you will describe in more detail.

I chose other because I should have the freedom of my own beliefs without interference, and so should others. Everybody should be free. Everybody also should have the freedom not to believe in God or any religion.

 

[mangalavara]

What does "religious freedom" really mean to you?

Religious freedom, from my perspective, means that the subjects of a conquered land may practice whatever religion they wish without interference from the Shah of Shahs. Wait, where did that come from? Hahahah. In all seriousness, religious freedom, from my perspective, means that one has the right to practice any religion in a reasonable manner. In a liberal society, this means that a religious life must not be directly and unjustly detrimental to the safety, well-being, and legal rights of others. Additionally, there should be no state religion, and consequently, no religious test in order to hold a public office or obtain any public occupation. In the spirit of this, no religion gets special treatment by the government.

For me it means that I have the right to my beliefs and to practice my religion. But I also have the duty to show respect to others and that includes accepting they have the right to their beliefs and to practice their religion.
We can't have freedom without respect.

I like this perspective.

 

[syo]

We all know that there are people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others, who are convinced that "religious freedom" means that they have the right to have others behave in accord with their beliefs. Muslims who don't think anybody should draw pictures of their prophet naturally assume that this rule applies to everyone on earth, whether they're Muslim or not, and that they have the right to exact punishment for transgressors. There are Christians who believe that the 10 Commandments are the "Word of God," and therefore should be posted in front of court houses, or in schools, that try or teach non-Christians and even atheists.

What does "religious freedom" really mean to you? I've posted a few poll choices, but I can't guess them all, so of course I've provided an "Other" category -- which if you choose, I hope you will describe in more detail.

They are horrible, no?

Religious freedom means to feel protected in a world full of abrahamics.

 

[We Never Know]

"insist that government give my beliefs special protection, above any other beliefs"

That sure would cause a lot of chaos giving the false impression that everyone's personal beliefs are better than everyone else's.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

I am tried of this dance of beliefs as somehow special as either a positive or negative for a special category of religion.

In effect any belief/behavior/action that is not based on the belief system of evidence(methodological naturalism) ends up as being a belief without evidence.
But that is not just so for the standard Western culture understanding of religion, it is so for all in effect social, moral and individual norms for what is good or bad.

 

[Brickjectivity]

We all know that there are people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others, who are convinced that "religious freedom" means that they have the right to have others behave in accord with their beliefs. Muslims who don't think anybody should draw pictures of their prophet naturally assume that this rule applies to everyone on earth, whether they're Muslim or not, and that they have the right to exact punishment for transgressors. There are Christians who believe that the 10 Commandments are the "Word of God," and therefore should be posted in front of court houses, or in schools, that try or teach non-Christians and even atheists.

What does "religious freedom" really mean to you? I've posted a few poll choices, but I can't guess them all, so of course I've provided an "Other" category -- which if you choose, I hope you will describe in more detail.

Religious freedom is an idea which appears in reaction to religious oppression. Once in a while religious freedom is an option. Historically this freedom does not last for very long. It usually lasts two centuries or less. We are unusual creatures who live with the legal option of being in any religion we want or even no religion at all. The world is not yet used to us, to our way of looking at religion. Our culture is so unfamiliar and new, and we are yet learning how to all get along while experiencing religious freedom. A corollary of religious freedom is political freedom. These are inseparable.

Given the above: the best definition of religious freedom is whatever freedom ensures the shortest terms of political power for individuals and groups. It is that freedom which weakens long term authority. That is religious freedom. There could be more than one way to accomplish this, and some ways could be more effective and more tolerable to live under than others.

***edit*** shortened for clarity