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The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a fifth graders right to distribute invitations to her church's Christmas party. The school had banned the student from distributing the invitations citing the invitations contained religious materials. The court's decision was based on the First Amendment's right to free speech.

I agree that student's should be able to learn of and encourage the religious beliefs of their classmates. How do we expect to raise well rounded individuals if we raise them to treat religion with such a hush hush attitude?

Being in a public school system, no religion should be enforced at all. These were Christmas invitations, inviting the students to a church event imposing the Christian belief system. This could have been done outside of school or elsewhere. This situation would only be okay if it was conducted in a private religious school, where public money does not fund the institution.

Religion is one of our Constitutioal rights proctected by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. No one has the right to tell any U.S. citizen what or what not religion to practice.

I think that everyone has the right to believe in what they want. As long as they don't try to force others then I see no problem in it. I myself am not a religious person, but that does not mean that I should go around telling people what they believe in is wrong. We should all have an understandings for others beliefs and not try to shut them down just because of our own beliefs.

People should be free to follow their own beliefs without interference. this article also discusses the issue of expression of religion and public schools.

The Pope spoke to American bishops recently about the topic of religious freedom in America. It was described as "eroding" and the bishops are allegedly feeling the heat of openness to gay marriages among other things. The only "religion" I noticed the Pope mentioning concern for, however, was Christianity.

This link is about how freedom of religion can be harmful to people even when common sense tells us otherwise.

As we all know religion is a big part of a lot of peoples lives. As an American we have the right to practice our own religion, whatever that may be. This website explains how the government is a big advocate of trying to protect and promote the right to practice your own religion.

This article talks about the freedom of religion in Missouri public school. It gives information about the making of a new law that allows students to decided whether they want to participate in a religion base topic or practice.

People have the right change their religion whenever they please, but 75% of the population has restrictions against it.

Several states are considering passing laws like a bill that was recently passed in Tennessee outlawing parts of Islamic Shariah law. Shariah law is an Islamic way of settling disputes while taking religious tenets into account. Supporters of the bill feel that allowing the practice of Shariah law within the United States will denigrate the Judeo-Christian foundation of the U.S., however protesters argue that creating such laws will erode the very foundation of American democracy and freedom of religion.

Abortion has two very strong sides, pro life and pro choice Pro life individuals believe that the fetus has the right to live , as the mother has a right to live. Pro choice argues that the mother has the decision whether to terminate per pregnancy within the first 3 months.

This article is about the different views that people have on abortions. It gives the pros and cons of the situation. Also mentions that we as humans are responsible for are actions and we know the consequences that are actions can bring. Also how we should take the time to educated people on the the responsibilities that life has and how to care for a child. Its more than what we think but the right of all humans should be taking in concentration,

This site has a list of positions on a very emotional topic, abortion.

Polygamy is a battle of both religion and rights for both types of people who are for or against polygamy. The author states the history behind the laws against polygamy as well as the battle between Reynolds and the US for it to be allowed due to the religious beliefs of Mormons. Reynolds was convicted and charged for polygamy, which in turn, ended it everywhere in the US; especially in Utah. Several times, the Reynolds Law has been challenged, but those who have challenged the law have failed.

This article talks about muslim women and beauty pageants. The fact that it goes against their religions doesn't seem to phase some of their thoughts. A break down of other peoples thoughts on this matter is also found here.

This article talks about the issues with religion in public schools. A South Carolina middle school had a school assembly based on Jesus and prayer which became a subject of legal scrutiny. Some participants embraced the assembly while others felt very uncomfortable.

This article states why the first amendment is as important as it is. Why the freedom of religion should be free, as well as every part of the first amendment. These are rights are taken away daily from all Americans.

While the Constitution aims to separate church and state. We see that "church" can be an influential part of a person's life. Some are more strongly led by religion than others. When such a person holds political office, their religious views, sometimes inadvertently, comes to take shape in politics.

Marriage serves two different purposes in religion and government. Same-sex couples wish for the same treatment as married couples under the eyes of the law. Society should stop the argument over who can marry and get back to more important issues, such as addressing divorce rates.

Back in the 60's religion was something that was part of the teachers lesson plans along with bible reading. In todays world it is the exact opposite, teachers are being told not to discuss religion in their class rooms.

Dignity 2012 cleared the biggest hurdle in the process at the end of 2011, gathering 84,713 signatures, of which 79,626 were qualified and certified. All initiatives in the Commonwealth originate in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for their journey through the State House. The initiative was introduced as H.3884 and assigned to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Over the next few months, legislators will discuss the initiative and consider one of the following steps: The General Court can pass the initiative as it's written. (This rarely happens.) The Judiciary Committee can make a formal recommendation of Support, Do Not Support, or Neutral. The Legislature can put its own version of the initiative on the ballot. (Again, this is rare.) If the legislature doesn't pass the initiative as it's written, the next step for Dignity 2012 will be another phase of signature gathering in the beginning of May. This next signature gathering phase would be smaller than the one which took place in the fall; the campaign would need to collect 11,485 qualified voter signatures between the beginning of May and July 3rd to be considered for the November ballot. Voters who signed the petition during the first signature gathering phase cannot sign the second petition.

this page explaines how christians pillaged and took turkish held jerusalem in the name of god. this inccident and several similar inccidents shortly after were known as the crusades. i wanted to show this article to the class because it shows how christian extremists killed innocent people in the name of god and how even in the distant past they were people who believed it was ok to kill thousands of people in the name of their god

i figured this article would be a stretch for the assignment but i believe that the crusades are a major example of the violation of religious freedoms and how religious extremism can do extensive harm reguardless what religion the extremists believe in