What the "Religious Freedom" People Really Want, Part Two.

 

Many extreme conservatives believe that the government is denying them the right to practice their fundamental religious beliefs. And sometimes this is true. Let me explain.

If your fundamental belief is that other people should be forced to live the way you want them to, then the only way you can practice your religion is by controlling other people against their will.

The 9-11 terrorists believed a certain version of Islam that told them that they had the right to, in Allah’s name, kill thousands of people. An uncountable number of terrorists around the world believe this. Our government, like others throughout the world, have denied terrorists their religious freedom whenever possible. Damn right, the government is restricting your religious freedom if you are a terrorist.

If your fundamental belief is that you must carry loaded automatic weapons in public and be prepared to use them at a moment’s notice, then the only way you can practice your religion is by carrying those weapons in public.

Do you want to live in a society in which other (probably white male) people can force you to live the way they want you to, or even kill you? But that’s what you will have if people whose religion is based on force and murder are allowed to practice their religion.

 

Few if any conservatives would claim that their religion is like that. But that is not the point. The point is that religious freedom is not unlimited. First amendment aside, it is already illegal to sacrifice children, for example. The government already has the right to restrict your religious practices if they threaten the public.

 

If your religion is “I have the right to force other people to do what I want, and maybe even to kill them,” then, damn right, the government is restricting your religious freedom.