Mar 6, 2010
A most basic right. In fact, it is one of your most basic rights! That's religious freedom.
The gentlemen who wrote the first ten ammendments to the United States Constitution (known as the Bill of Rights) took special care in the first ammendment. Not only did they not use language which made it sound like the government was granting the right of free religion to the peoplem they did more. They made two specific prohibitions: one against any law concerning an establishment of religion, and the other prohibiting any interference with the free exercise of religion.
Those who claim that the "founding fathers" only intended to protect Christianity have not read much of Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Payne - or a few others. And the funny thing is that some of the people making such claims belong to denominations which did not exist at the time the Constitution was written - so by their own argument, they would not be protected, either!
And so we come to Rav Patrick McCollum, a Wiccan chaplain who is well known in the field. He applied to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and they refused to look over his qualifications! Why? Because he is not of one of the five faiths which they select their chaplains from.
They also exclude Hindus and Buddhists. Why? If you've ever visited California, you will find plenty of Buddhist and Hindus. Is anyone going to claim that none of them have ever been forced to serve a sentence?
There is much which can be done, and I'm trusting you to learn what that might be.
If it can be done to any one, it can be done to anyone, so now is the time to make our voices known. And if all of our voices are heard, people will realize that we will not back down.
After all, we are talking about a right which the Founding Fathers saw as being beyond government's reach.
Blessed Be!