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An explanation of what freedom of religion means. It also provides some history about religion.

Alatavista (Original) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, defines freedom of religion and belief as follows: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes the freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. (Article 18) (Paraphrased) In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly clearly stated in Article 108 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: that every person has the right to their freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This extends to a community as well as the individual and encompasses practice, teaching, worship, and observance.

(Original) "The religious persecution that drove settlers from Europe to the British North American colonies sprang from the conviction, held by Protestants and Catholics alike, that uniformity of religion must exist in any given society. This conviction rested on the belief that there was one true religion and that it was the duty of the civil authorities to impose it, forcibly if necessary, in the interest of saving the souls of all citizens" (Paraphrased) Fleeing the oppression of a state sponsored religion, both Protestant and Catholic, those souls who risked everything to cross the Atlantic came to the American Colonies with the express purpose to be able to practice their religious beliefs as they saw fit without the forced philosophies of a government sponsored religion being forced upon them.

When religion and school is linked, we have many opinions regarding that issue. If religion is taught at school and teachers have a better understanding of the many different religions and important concepts of religion, then we can get a better understanding and have a better relationships with others that have a different religion.

An article that is an overview of the ACLU's position on religious freedom as it applies to Religion in the Public Square and Religion in the Public Schools, as well as a brief summary of American History and Government-Funded Religion. All are free to follow and/ or practice there beliefs.

DeSoto County Schools, public schools, have been asked to stop allowing Gideon International to distribute bibles to students on the school campus. Some are saying it's not a violation of the separation between church and state or freedom of religion because any religion should be allowed to do the same. However, the real issue is whether or not it should even be allowed because just as everyone has freedom of religion, they should also have freedom from religion.

This article examines religious freedoms in China. It discusses how in China only those Government approved religions enjoy freedom of religion protections and then only to the point of what is considered by the government to be "normal religious activity," which is defined by the government.

The First Amendment contains two clauses about the Freedom of Religion. The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from interfering with a person's practice of his or her religion.

This is a website that talks about our first amendment rights in relationship to freedom of religion.

Every now and then the Supreme Court will get a case based on religion. In these cases the court will have to decide whether or not the religion should be excepted or not. One case taken to the court that was said to be illegal was about a coach in New Jersey who prayed with his team before games. This left people angry over the fact that they believe religious displays should not be illegal. This issue has also brought up the question on whether freedom of speech is also being taken away when the Supreme Court rules against displays of religion.

This article outlines Freedom or Religion or Belief as established by the United Nations and its members. Discussed is the process and the outcomes of those discussion as well as the enforceability of the agreed upon principles.

"After all, the HHS mandate recognizes the conscience rights of a religious employer only if it has the "inculcation of religious values as its purpose," ''primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets" and "primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets.""

Naming your child after the "Messiah" should be a parents personal & religious freedom, but a Tennessee judge is forcing a mother to change her son's name to Martin. Religious freedom is for those who choose religion and those who oppose religion. How do we find a fair and equal balance for all.

Very interesting topic. I am religious and find this to be ridiculous. I understand the judge may find it to infringe on a person's religious beliefs, but come on, seriously?! I think a parent should be able to name their kid whatever they want.

A couple should be allowed to name their child whatever they want, the court should have no say in it. A name is not breaking any laws.

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

Freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, involves two important components. The first is a prohibition on the "establishment of religion" by government - the separation of Church and State; and the second, ensures that the government allows for the practice of religion (Perry, 10).

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.

Article concerning the rights of parents to have influence over their children's moral and religious upbringing. The issue specifically covered is a parents right to restrict a child's participation in school activities based on freedom of religious practice.

This is an argument that my partner and I are constantly having, whether or not a parent should apply heavy influence to their child's moral and religious beliefs. I have always felt that a child should be able to be exposed to as many religions as possible, but he feels as though his beliefs should be pressed upon our child. It's a good debate.

Online exhibition of religious peoples and how they influnced government and its policies. It talks about people of all faiths who were divided on the amount of influence that religion would have on government.

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.

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.

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.