Dramatic distortion of the meaning of religious freedom

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by Pat Perriello | Apr. 12, 2016

Religious freedom seems to be the new rallying cry for the political and religious right. A couple of disturbing articles -- in The Washington Post and on PoliticalResearch.org -- take a look at what is being called dominionism and which is at the core of the Ted Cruz campaign for president.

Among the ideas embraced in this understanding is the notion that the United States was founded as a Christian nation but has since fallen away from those ideals. Christianity must be restored, and that means like-minded Christians need to take control of, or dominate, the seven mountains of culture. Those mountains include government, religion, media, family, business, education, arts and entertainment. This dominant Christian force then needs to institute Old Testament biblical law and punishments.

The articles point out that Ted Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, is a traveling evangelist who has promoted such theology. When the younger Cruz speaks of religious freedom on the campaign trail, this is what he is talking about.

We are also seeing signs of this movement at the state level. Religious freedom laws are being passed. A total of 19 states have some form of the law, and new laws are being passed relative to the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/dramatic-distortion-meaning-religious-freedom

[meow2u3]

1. Isn't that the truth?

We on DU have been calling the far right on their so-called "religious freedom" laws, which really twist religious freedom to mean religious tyranny by evangelicals.
I shudder at the idea of Cruz becoming President. He and his evangelical ilk will throw Catholics under the bus after they've used us for votes. I dread him persecuting not only women and minorities, but also Catholics. He'd make Protestant fundamentalism the law of the land and jail anyone who isn't.

[rug]

2. These laws are a cynical scam.

It surpises me how many state legislatures are trying to pass them. On the bright side, it could be the death throes of the republican party we're seeing.