Presidential Proclamation -- Religious Freedom Day, 2015

[rug]

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

From many faiths and diverse beliefs, Americans are united by the ideals we cherish. Our shared values define who we are as a people and what we stand for as a Nation. With abiding resolve, generations of patriots have fought -- through great conflict and fierce debate -- to secure and defend these freedoms, irrevocably weaving them deep into the fabric of our society. Today, we celebrate an early milestone in the long history of one of our country's fundamental liberties.

On January 16, 1786, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was adopted. It was one of the first laws in our Nation to codify the right of every person to profess their opinions in matters of faith, and it declares that "no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any" religion. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, this historic legislation served as a model for the religious liberty protections enshrined in our Constitution.

The First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing religion. It protects the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, to change their faith, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free from persecution and fear. This religious freedom allows faith to flourish, and our Union is stronger because a vast array of religious communities coexist peacefully with mutual respect for one another. Since the age of Jefferson and Madison, brave women and men of faith have challenged our conscience; today, our Nation continues to be shaped by people of every religion and of no religion, bringing us closer to our founding ideals. As heirs to this proud legacy of liberty, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard these freedoms.

We must also continue our work to protect religious freedom around the globe. Throughout the world, millions of individuals are subjected to discrimination, abuse, and sanctioned violence simply for exercising their religion or choosing not to claim a faith. Communities are being driven from their ancient homelands because of who they are or how they pray, and in conflict zones, mass displacement has become all too common.

In the face of these challenges, I am proud the United States continues to stand up for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in peace. Promoting religious freedom has always been a key objective of my Administration's foreign policy because history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion -- are ultimately more just, more peaceful, and more successful. In every country, individuals should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind -- and of the heart and soul. Today, let us continue our work to protect this tradition and advance the cause of religious freedom worldwide.

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 hereby proclaim January 16, 2015, 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 that show us how we can protect it for future generations at home 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 fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/15/presidential-proclamation-religious-freedom-day-2015

[bvf]

1. Hooray.

"The First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing religion. It protects the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, to change their faith, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free from persecution and fear."

It also lets one call bullshit bullshit.

Or is that persecution?

[rug]

2. Are you calling the Proclamation bullshit or are you supporting it?

[bvf]

3. Figure it out on your own.

Last edited Sun Jan 18, 2015, 12:13 AM - Edit history (1)

[rug]

4. I akready did. I was wondering if you'd own it.

[bvf]

5. So your question wasn't sincere, then.

No surprise there.

[rug]

6. Oh it was. It's also unanswered.

No surprise there.

[bvf]

8. I thought you had already figured out the answer.

At least, you said so.

Please share!

[rug]

9. I did. And it's still unanswered by you.

My, three posts to avoid an answer. I wonder if there will be four.

Or five.

[bvf]

10. If only there were

a smiley to indicate unbridled amusement.

[carolinayellowdog]

7. Amen, and thoughts about the UU service I plan to attend tomorrow

I've been to church fewer than ten times in the last fifteen years, but have been very favorably impressed lately by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Winston-Salem, where tomorrow's service will feature an academic scholar speaking on African American leaders of Free Thought. Having noticed the name of Frederick Douglass over and over in various 19th century spiritual contexts, yet found no mention of his beliefs in the biography I recently read, I hope to learn more about this great American tomorrow.

The UU website gives this information about who is welcomed in the Fellowship:

Are My Beliefs Welcome?

In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart.

We are creating a force more powerful than one person or one religion. By welcoming people who identify with Atheism and Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Earth-Centered Traditions, Hinduism, Islam, and more, we are embodying a vision “beyond belief:” a vision of peace, love, and understanding.

We are building an action-oriented community, bridging races, religions, and creeds with a shared desire to make faith, religion, and spirituality verbs.

Being in the non-theist "earth-centered" aka Neopagan category, I'm glad to participate in a context of mutual respect with Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Christians, Humanists, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims, who accept the vision of "peace, love, and understanding" that is "beyond belief." But very intimidated by the disdain of those who are sure they have the final answers, whether those answers are Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Humanist, Judaic, Neopagan, Hindu, or Muslim, and consider it a virtue to denounce others. Because the "woo-woo" Neopagan types are likely to be #1 on EVERY DOGMATIST'S SHITLIST.

Fine statement from the POTUS.

[Fumesucker]

11. And yet so many people when they get actual religious freedom find they don't like it

In fact the loudest proponents of religious freedom often loathe it when it's put into practice.

Like that school district down in Florida that had the religious freedom week or whatever, then when actual religious freedom was threatening to be practiced they canceled it.

[cbayer]

12. Yeah, it's ironic when they discover that Religious Freedom doesn't just mean their religion.

They always look so shocked.

I like the way this has been worded and support it.