Recently the U.S. Air Force Academy in recognition that freedom of religion is not reserved to only certain approved Christian denominations and Air Force Academy officials in Colorado Springs approved the construction of an outdoor space for the worship of pagan deities. Not surprisingly the Christo-fascist elements went berserk. Illustrative of the foaming at the mouth that ensued are the remarks of Robert Jeffress, Pastor First Baptist Church of Dallas who stated that such action "is an open invitation for God to send His harshest judgments against our nation." Pastor Jeffress then launched into a Bible quoting tirade (I will spare readers the details) to justify his obvious belief that only Christian beliefs should be officially recognized. If you are not a Christian, it's a case of too bad, you have no rights. Jeffress' mindset is all to prevalent among the far right and is one of the reasons LGBT citizens are targeted for punishment. In a response column in the Washington Post, the true concept of religious freedom is set forth. Here are some highlights:*
I'd like to point out to Pastor Jeffress that when the Air Force respects and safeguards the religious rights of minorities, we are all safer. Patrick McCollum, who has fought many of the key legal battles for the rights of Pagan soldiers and prisoners, says, "When Pagans get our rights, everyone gets their rights."
Rights are inconvenient things.
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Problem is, who decides? And by what criteria? And how do we know the bad guys are truly bad, or that the accused are truly guilty? Those sorts of sticky questions got us the Bill of Rights and the concept of due process, for saints and sinners, for the accused who are innocent and those who turn out to be guilty. For if we deny due process to the guilty, we risk convicting the innocent.
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And if we deny equal right to Pagans, because Pastor Jeffress interprets his Bible as saying his version of God doesn't like our religion--we put him and his church at risk as well. For tomorrow, some other pastor, priest, rabbi or imam might decide that the First Baptist Church of Dallas is anathema to their version of God, and drive him and his flock into hiding.
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The framers of the Constitution may or may not have been thinking of broad, religious tolerance--nonetheless, the First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Not "Christian religion", but religion, plain and simple. Only if Jews, Muslims, Pagans and infidels of all sorts can worship freely can Christians of all denominations rest secure that their rights, too are safeguarded.
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Different faiths, different names for Goddess and God are like different doorways into the mysteries that go beyond words. When we honor and respect the great diversity of faiths, we assure that our own doorway, too, will remain open.
I'd like to point out to Pastor Jeffress that when the Air Force respects and safeguards the religious rights of minorities, we are all safer. Patrick McCollum, who has fought many of the key legal battles for the rights of Pagan soldiers and prisoners, says, "When Pagans get our rights, everyone gets their rights."
Rights are inconvenient things.
*
Problem is, who decides? And by what criteria? And how do we know the bad guys are truly bad, or that the accused are truly guilty? Those sorts of sticky questions got us the Bill of Rights and the concept of due process, for saints and sinners, for the accused who are innocent and those who turn out to be guilty. For if we deny due process to the guilty, we risk convicting the innocent.
*
And if we deny equal right to Pagans, because Pastor Jeffress interprets his Bible as saying his version of God doesn't like our religion--we put him and his church at risk as well. For tomorrow, some other pastor, priest, rabbi or imam might decide that the First Baptist Church of Dallas is anathema to their version of God, and drive him and his flock into hiding.
*
The framers of the Constitution may or may not have been thinking of broad, religious tolerance--nonetheless, the First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Not "Christian religion", but religion, plain and simple. Only if Jews, Muslims, Pagans and infidels of all sorts can worship freely can Christians of all denominations rest secure that their rights, too are safeguarded.
*
Different faiths, different names for Goddess and God are like different doorways into the mysteries that go beyond words. When we honor and respect the great diversity of faiths, we assure that our own doorway, too, will remain open.
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