Religious Expression in

America Today

By: Ashley

Religion in AmericaThe United States appears to be going through

an unprecedented change in religious practices. Large numbers of American adults are disaffiliating themselves from Christianity

and from other organized religions. 81% of American adults identify themselves with a specific religion 76.5% of Americans identify themselves as Christian

52% identified themselves as Protestant

24.5% are Roman Catholic 1.3% are Jewish 0.5% are Muslim The fastest growing religion (in terms of

percentage) is Wicca 14.1% do not follow any organized

religion -- almost a doubling since 1990

There are more Americans who say they are not affiliated with any organized religion than there

are Episcopalians, Methodists, and Lutherans taken together.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm

Establishing Freedom of Religion

The Pilgrims set out in search of religious freedom when they inhabited America.

Many leaders of the new forming country

did not oppose a national church,

however the states could not agree on a

unified religion.However, 9 out of the 13 original colonies had established a

state church. combined their passion

for “freedom of conscience,” and

developed what is now know as “separation of

church and state.”

Thomas Jefferson

and James Madison

Defining This Freedom

The Reynolds approach - from Reynolds v. U.S. (1897) where Mormons were not declared to not be a religion, but at least one of their practices, polygamy, could be outlawed because it was not practiced at the time this nation was founded.

The Davis approach - from Davis v. Beason (1890) which required anything calling itself a religion to have: (a) a belief in God as Creator; (b) a system of morals which don't interfere with others; and (c) a system of worship civilized by Western standards.

The Ballard approach - from U.S. v. Ballard (1944) which said that it doesn't matter how preposterous, true or false, the doctrine is, the true test of what constitutes a religion is the sincerity of its members in miracles or other claims which cannot be proven.

The Seeger approach - from U.S. v. Seeger (1965) which required conscientious objectors to have some sort of belief in a Supreme Being; skepticism, atheism, and other sociological or philosophical positions, even if they have a moral code, do not qualify as religious beliefs.

The meaning of ‘religion’ and ‘religious freedom’ has been defined and re-defined over

the years. Interpretation of the first amendment remains, and will remain a controversial

issue.Many court cases have shaped the path of this

interpretation.

Protecting This Freedom

Many diverse religious groups have struggled to expand and maintain their liberties.

The ACLU has worked with many of these groups, fighting several court cases, and making great strides in civil rights.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have played a key role in shaping rights to religious expression.

The Christian’s Rights at School

Students may attempt to persuade their peers concerning religious topics, however, harassment is not permissible.

Students may be excused from lessons that are objectionable on religious grounds.

Student meetings may include prayer service, Bible reading, or other worship exercise.

Students may read their Bibles or other scriptures, say a prayer before meals, and pray before tests.

Students may use religious themes in their assignments and be judged by ordinary standards.

Students may wear clothes depicting a religious theme.

Students may distribute religious literature to their schoolmates.

Many people complain about their suppression, but do

not understand their freedoms

‘‘Freedom of religion’ must be an Freedom of religion’ must be an equal freedom FOR ALL religions…equal freedom FOR ALL religions…

Sikhs are allowed to wear head wraps at school and on the job.

Jews might arrange to leave work early on Fridays for service in exchange for working late another day.

Despite general fear of Wiccans, by law they are allowed to practice their faith.

……as well as FROM ALL religions.as well as FROM ALL religions.

“There can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent.”

–Anne Gaylor, president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Agnostics have the right to be separate from religion

Religious Tolerance

Each person needs to learn to operate within their rights.

People have the right to be a part of only what they

want to be a part of.

We do have an extended amount of religious freedom in America.

Japanese symbol for tolerance

Americans need to allow for individual choice.

We must allow others to feel free.

“Freedom of religion”

does not mean “freedom to Christianity.”