The Freedom of Religion is a granted right in the first amendment of the Constitution. As a US citizen, we all have the right to choose any religion we want: Christianity, Judaism, Hindu, etc. Therefore, from birth, The United States addressed that there will be no national religion; one should not be held higher above the other in this country since this country is supposed to represent the people (all of the people). Now I ask, who didn’t get that memo?

My parents gave me the choice to discover the religion that best suits me, if there be one out there at all. Although they had been raised with strict demands as to what religion they would become, they wanted their kids to figure it out for themselves. It was up to me to find my own religion, not just adopt theirs. After a few years of experiencing and learning about different religions, I found Buddhism. It represented my philosophical beliefs as well as enlightened me to new ideas that I had never before considered. I also liked the fact that this religion never gave answers to the unfathomable questions (Where did we come from, Who created us, How will it end, etc), it just focused on being a better person each consecutive day you live your life, until the last. To me, it’s less of a religion and more like encouragement towards a rewarding life. To this day, I consider myself a proud Buddhist who is learning new things about myself and my religion each day, and am not ashamed to admit that I will never truly understand the extent of either.

It’s hard to think of where I should start when trying to give examples of how religion has penetrated government. It would be appropriate to mention that religion has always been intertwined in power. As far back as the Mayans, Egyptians, and Romans, there was always a collective religion. The United States is one of the first real attempts by a dominating world superpower to try and maintain freedom of religion (so far). Read More

But it doesn’t seem like we’re doing much different from anyone that came before us. Religion became a cornerstone of US politics at conception. From the Puritans that immigrated to escape religious persecution, to the Southern Baptists that supported slavery, promoted racism, and influenced politicians to pass bills that appealed to their desires during the Reconstruction Era, to George Bush disregarding human rights to all US citizens because his religious beliefs say that marriage is between a man and a woman. “In God We Trust,” written on our currency. The propaganda-saturated “Pledge of Allegiance,” whose title frightens me enough, not to mention my horror once I get to “One nation, under god” (and to think as children we’re forced to recite this cult chant every morning under strict supervision of over-influencing teachers)!

The point I’m trying to make is: if we are a nation with the freedom to choose any religion we want, why aren’t we acting like it? The answer: Most of us vote for the candidate that reminds us of someone we could be friends with (because of the commonalities shared). For example, if you were an Episcopalian that didn’t care much for politics but still went out and voted every 4 years, you would most likely choose the guy that you knew shared your religious beliefs, because you might assume that he has your ideals in mind above others. It’s this self-preservation mentality that resides in us all and tempts us to vote for the guy we’d like to have a beer with, or the most attractive one who gives credit to God at all opportunities. Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln (arguably 2 of the most influential Presidents in US history) had no religious affiliation and in fact both spoke out against the fraternization of religion in government. It is a somewhat deflating point to make, since we seem to be going in the opposite direction concerning this topic.

For anyone who has seen the movie “Religilous” or “Jesus Camp,” you may have already noticed the underlying trend of religion raping the government for self-advancement. I won’t shoot into another history lesson on how we’re no different than any other former superpower, but the Vatican City is a perfect example of the marriage between religion and politics, which I would encourage everyone to research.

My soapbox concludes with the most encouragement I can muster after a rant like this… The more knowledge we gather, the more light there is shining in dark corners of our minds. When reading articles like this one that promote ideas that may stir up your thoughts, don’t ever take my word for it. Do your own research and figure out who you can trust. Can you trust CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC to deliver you 100% truthful information with no spin? Absolutely not. Can you trust some college kid ranting on his blog about conspiracy theories? No. But you can trust anyone in the world once you already know the answer before they speak. Should God and Government be keeping the neighborhood up with their loud promiscuity? You tell me. Knowledge really is power.

-Andrew Neal
WMHW Central Beat
Investigative Journalist
neal3ae@cmich.edu