Isn’t it time that all Americans rose up against the tyranny of religion? Religious leaders should preach to their followers, and leave me and my country alone. I don’t believe in organized religion, and there are at least 56 million others just like me. Our nation was founded on religious freedom, not religious belief.

The Christian religious right continues its attempts to remove freedoms from the majority and try to force their beliefs on all Americans. Religious issues should have never become political issues. The Constitution guarantees individual freedoms; religions are cults where its followers must all believe and act in the same manner.

Abortion should have never become an issue brought before the Supreme Court. This extremely difficult decision should have remained the responsibility of the woman herself. Today there is another issue before the Supreme Court which should never come before the Justices.

A part of the Affordable Care Act requires businesses to supply contraception for their female employees. If they cannot, the federal government will do it for them. Religious groups, including nuns, are protesting on the steps of the Court. They claim that they should not be required to supply contraception because it is against their religious beliefs. If Americans decide to have a business in the United States, they are not allowed to discriminate according to skin color, race, age, or personal beliefs. Just as their employees, business owners are allowed to practice the religion of their choice or not. According to the Constitution, religious discrimination is forbidden.

No one is forcing anyone to use contraception; it is a personal choice. Business must not be allowed to restrict the Constitutional rights of a portion of their employees.

It appears that this case will be moot. Thanks to Mitch McConnell, the Court remains at eight. A four to four tie is certain to happen in this instance. This means that the lower-court’s decision will stand. That court struck down the complaint of religious groups; they will be required to supply contraception, unless the Court agrees to hear the case at a later date when the necessary nine judges are present.

Religions are responsible for most of the anger, hatred and violence within our nation. They are groups of elitists who would require all Americans to join their cult. They denounce those who do not practice their beliefs, misleading their followers with misinterpretations of the Bible, and denying the actual teachings of Jesus Christ.

America is not unique to this fact. Muslim extremists demand that all men and women live by their standards, although their actions are expressly forbidden by the Quran.

If Christians are displeased with our Constitution and the principles of our founding fathers, they should follow the lead of Israel and create their own nation away from America. Meanwhile, they should be grateful that they live in a nation where they are free to practice their religion. But there is a caveat; they must allow others to worship in any manner they choose, and respect those who have no religious affiliation at all.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of fourthandfifteen

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