Obama Declares Religious Freedom Day

[impik]

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 15, 2010


RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2010


BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION


Long before our Nation's independence, weary settlers sought refuge on our shores to escape religious persecution on other continents. Recognizing their strife and toil, it was the genius of America's forefathers to protect our freedom of religion, including the freedom to practice none at all. Many faiths are now practiced in our Nation's houses of worship, and that diversity is built upon a rich tradition of religious tolerance. On this day, we commemorate an early realization of our Nation's founding ideals: Virginia's 1786 Statute for Religious Freedom.


The Virginia Statute was more than a law. It was a statement of principle, declaring freedom of religion as the natural right of all humanity -- not a privilege for any government to give or take away. Penned by Thomas Jefferson and championed in the Virginia legislature by James Madison, it barred compulsory support of any church and ensured the freedom of all people to profess their faith openly, without fear of persecution. Five years later, the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights followed the Virginia Statute's model, stating, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .".


Our Nation's enduring commitment to the universal human right of religious freedom extends beyond our borders as we advocate for all who are denied the ability to choose and live their faith. My Administration will continue to oppose growing trends in many parts of the world to restrict religious expression.


Faith can bring us closer to one another, and our freedom to practice our faith and follow our conscience is central to our ability to live in harmony. On Religious Freedom Day, let us pledge our constant support to all who struggle against religious oppression and rededicate ourselves to fostering peace with those whose beliefs differ from our own. In doing so, we reaffirm our common humanity and respect for all people with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.


NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do more hereby proclaim January 16, 2010, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future generations here and around the world.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.


BARACK OBAMA

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[Oregone]

1. We need Freedom From Religion Day

These kooks wont stop until the world is smoldering beneath their feet

[rawtribe]

4. Thank you Oregone.

K&UR

[Clio the Leo]

8. "it barred compulsory support of any church"

... I think you just got it. ;)

[LiberalFighter]

9. Compulsory support of churches before the Revolution and beginning of United States.

Compulsory and freedom not a good match in this case.

Many colonists left to go west and escape the tyranny of religion in the colonies.

[DavidDvorkin]

10. Right you are.

[IndianaGreen]

11. We sure do!

And we shouldn't have Presidents participating in the rightwing National Prayer Breakfast, an event sponsored by the fundie The Family.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you, President Obama.

K&R

[frog92969]

3. Now let's ditch those "faith based" initiatives for some reality based ones.

I don't wanta bring Jeebus home.

[alp227]

5. Good. Anyone who truly loves America should respect religious freedom too.

I find it so ironic how the Christian right can profess to "love America" yet hate one of its central values that a Founding Father espoused: freedom to worship or not to worship. It's good that the president is recognizing Jefferson's legacy.

If you need any evidence that America was not founded as a Christian nation, here's some recommended reading.

The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom

...no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11:

As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Take that, David Barton and other brainless revisionist kooks!

[lunatica]

6. His first sentence says it all

"Long before our Nation's independence, weary settlers sought refuge on our shores to escape religious persecution on other continents."

I just realized we're actually beginning to have a true blue religious war in this country. That's what those men who showed up at Obama's Town Hall meeting with their guns strapped to their legs want. A real bullets and death war. Actually it's more than simple want. They crave it.

[Bragi]

7. That for a nation drowning in religion...