Freedom of Religion?

The Madisonian Model was framed by James Madison in the Constitution as a way to organize the government to prevent tyranny. This is accomplished through a system of checks and balances between the three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. The Bill of Rights is an extension of the Constitution and is also in place as an insurance against an overbalance of power, particularly in the government. Freedom of religion, a civil liberty, outlined in the Bill of Rights, is in place to balance power, to insure that no one religion can overpower any other. This idea being carried out through the separation of church and state.

At the time that The Bill of Rights was formed there was strong religious persecution in the United States. An example, individuals were being executed for the crime of not belonging to whatever the dominate religion was in that region (Waldman). Note that citizens of the United States currently have much more freedom to practice the religion of their choice compared with other nations of the world, and compared with early colonists of America. However, there is still much needed growth within the culture of America to embrace the true idea of freedom of religion. The separation of church and state, culturally, must move beyond a belief or disbelief of Christianity if we are to have true freedom of religion. Protestant Christianity is overrepresented in the government, and subsequently the culture of America. Minority religious are exceedingly underrepresented, presenting imbalance of power between the religions in our society. The theory behind the separation of church and state does not translate adequately within the actual practice of the theory.

The American culture is flawed when it comes to the idea of separation of church and state within the government. Because our culture has strong roots in Protestantism many people are blind to the fact that other religions such as Judaism, Buddhism, Paganism, and Muslim are not only underrepresented, but at times discriminated against in both subtle and obvious ways. For example, in the most recent census data there were 33 different types of Christian religions to choose from, as compared to 11 of all other religions and five of a non-religion status (United States Census, 2012). That means that there are over twice as many options to choose from within the frame of Christianity than there are for every other form of worship or lack there of. This example brings light to the idea that other beliefs are much more limited in there choices to identify themselves as outlined by the government. If one is Christian they can chose from a plethora of choices as to what specific branch of Christianity they practice. Other religions, who in many cases are equally diverse, do not. Minority religious groups are not only limited in their identity. They are also limited in there right to practice.

A clear example of how discrimination is more direct due to the over representation of Christianity can be found in the prison system, particularly the state prisons. State prisons are subject to more religious persecution because there is a larger separation of the influence of the national government. Much like state laws, state prison differ from state to state and are influenced more directly by the populous and the culture within that region (McCollum).

Although convicted criminals have less civil liberties allotted to them, the whole concept of the prison system steams from the idea of rehabilitation primarily through religion, therefore inmates have have a greater access to religious practice (McCollum). However, the religious accommodations that they are provided are framed from the Christian religion. These individuals have access to the Bible, they have Sunday off, they are provided a pastor, they have time on the chapel calender, the list goes on. An inmate that is Christian will have no issue, no interruption in there worship once in prison. Other religions are not provided the appropriate times of to worship, they are not provided religious material, in fact some are even not allowed to properly perform their ceremonies, because of ignorance to the fact that these ceremonies pose no threat to security. An example of this is Wiccans not being allowed to worship in a circle, as is customary in their faith, because of the Protestant understanding of sitting forward in a pew (McCollum). If the concept of rehabilitation through religious practice is to truly be embraced coupled with the idea to have freedom of religion, drastic changes need to happen.

The core of this issue is planted in ignorance. In many situations people do not intentionally discriminate against one right to belief as they see fit. A huge population of the United States is Christian, so naturally there would be a large representation of that religion if we are to of a democracy. However, we find that people who are of different faiths are limited and discriminated against due to policies outlined by our government. This is contradictory to the idea of freedom of religion. The solution is in education. If there was a much stronger degree of education in diversity of religion in public education at a more primary level then unintentional discrimination would minimize. The lack of religious education at a more primary level is actually promoting discrimination of religion through ignorance. But then we are faced with the concern of the separation of church and state as it is understood now. Teaching a comparative religions class especially coupled with critical thinking at a more primary level of education than college would not violate the idea of the separation of church and state. In fact, it would help the future of America to be more progressive and open mined to other schools of thought.

Although our Country is founded and framed on the idea of checks and balances, it is seriously lacking in this practice in regard to religion. Because the United States was founded by people who were primarily Protestant, our culture, which dictates how we operate in society, is also primary Protestant. This over representation leaves minority religions wanting. However, if we begin to encourage a secular education of different faiths in school we may be able to better embrace freedom of religion and the separation of church and state more adequately. It's at that point that we would be able to avoid the imbalance of representation and accommodation between Christianity and every other religion in our government.

Works Cited

McCollum, Patrick, Rev. Interview by Margot Adler. The Right to Prison Rites. 
Justice Talking, 2 June 2008. Web. 24 June 2012. 
<http://www.justicetalking.org/ShowPage.aspx?ShowID=666>.

"Population: Religion." United States Census Bureau. U.S. Census Bureau, 
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012, 2012. Web. 25 June 2012. 
<http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0075.pdf>.

Waldman, Steven. Interview by Margot Adler. Founding Faith. Justice 
Talking, 2 June 2008. Web. 23 June 2012. <http://www.justicetalking.org/ 
ShowPage.aspx?ShowID=666>.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 89

Today I want to discuss something that is close to my heart, two things really. Nutrition and the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (The Church). I am a convert to The Church, baptized May 2008. I investigated The Church for several months before I decided to count myself as a member. One of the more persuasive aspect of The Church was there focus on health. Health has always been of the utmost importance to me. I was raised in a Pagan household, so the concept of one's body being a temple was not new to me. I was impressed that a Christian religion followed that philosophy as well through health and nutrition. However, as time progressed I found a lot of hypocrisies within The Church's culture. Although getting tattoos, smoking, and alcohol were frowned upon and will likely keep an individual from entering the temple. Gorging oneself with unhealthy junk food is not only overlooked but celebrated through most church enrichment activities. Initially I overlooked this issue. However, the catalyst to how I feel now accord when I had my temple recommend interview a year after my baptism. Although there was always this nagging feeling about the state of health among many church members. It wasn't until the question arose about the Word of Wisdom in my temple recommend interview that I began to put the puzzle pieces together as to why that nagging feeling existed. You see, when I was asked the question about the Word of Wisdom, at the time, I could answer confidently that I did in fact follow it according to section 89 in D&C. However, I knew in my mind that so many who did (and do) go to the temple did/do not. Now, I want to bring to attention that I try my hardest to not judge others, or force my own understandings of concepts on them. But when I see a blatant disregard for the Word of Wisdom as it is outlined in the scriptures, coupled with the double standard that others who suffer from other aspects of the Word of Wisdom or other temple interview questions are denied the privilege of entering The House of the Lord, now that bothers me immensely. In addition, once in the temple I found that the cafeteria did not support the Word of Wisdom either. This was very alarming to me.

The Word of Wisdom is more than avoiding drugs and alcohol it's about being healthy and treating your body as the sacred temple, a gift from God. To ass to that, food is an addiction. Now I am not classified as an expert. I have majored in Nutrition and have suffered from a food addiction myself, but I do not have the credentials to make such a statement. However, I know as sure as I know my own name that food is an addiction. One that many member's of the church unknowingly suffer from. Sugar in particular is just as harmful to one's body as alcohol and just as addicting. It makes scene that Heavenly Father would want us to avoid sugar and to eat the things that are outlined in the Word of Wisdom. I am going to include a link from Youtube that I found particularly insightful in regard to the relation of sugar and alcohol as well as other insights on sugar's reaction in the body. It's long but extremely interesting if you have the time to watch it. It will be well worth your efforts. 

One thought that I had as to why there has not been more enforcement is that The Church does not want bad press. I'm sure that the public news would have a field day if there was any indication that The Church discriminated against fat people. Which is how it may be perceived through the twisting and manipulation of some public networks. However, there are many other stances that may be perceived negatively in the secular eye that The Church stands firmly by. This does not address the other facet of The Church enrichment activities which are usually saturated with unhealthy foods as well as the use of candy in Primary (I am a primary teacher as a side mote). Even if The Church was not comfortable in dictated how people should eat at all times the leaders could at least encourage healthy eating within the church buildings and other activities as well as talk about health more in General Conference and other minor conferences. I would not stress this as much if it wasn't actual doctrine. Which it is! It is a huge test of my testimony that there is a blatant disregard of doctrine straight from our Heavenly Father within the culture of The Church. And not just at a local level, but world wide. This is an epidemic. And I feel strongly that people will be held accountable for it in the next life. 

Sugar Addiction By Nancy Appleton, Ph.D. (via my facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/notes/pamela-wentzel/sugar-addiction-by-nancy-appleton-phd/10150840619736626

Sugar: The Bitter Truth (youtube video)

Introduction

I haven't blogged for a very long time, and even when I did there was never really and purpose to my blogs. I would consider myself an intellectual. I'm not particularly educated. I don't even have a college degree... yet. But I do have a thirst for knowledge. I love being a student of life and learning as much information as I possibly can. Topics that I am particularly passionate about are social issues. To refine that a bit more I am especially interested in health education, the public education system, feminism, and religion. I am a proud member of the LDS church (Mormon) However as I stated before, I am a feminist. I believe that homosexuals should have equal rights as everyone else (however I take a different stance on it than most). And, in many cases, I would consider myself a liberal. Although I refuse to subscribe to any particular political following. And thus am a registered Independent (as a side note I feel closed elections are a load of crock).

I don't really have a plan for this blog. I've thought of various themes, but snag at the thought of limiting myself to one topic. I would like this blog to represent me in one form or another and I certainly don't think about just one topic. I am a very passionate in regard to what I believe in, however in that same token I also try and maintain an open mind to other perspectives. I've found that is the most conducive to learning.

So let's see where this rabbit hole leads, shall we.