During the primary season we watched religious extremists Mike Huckabee, and Ted Cruz falsely claim that the rights of Christians were being challenged. The truth is that the Christian religious right is threatening our Constitutional rights. I am one of more than 65 million Americans who denounce organized religion and reject attempts to control my life and my rights under the Bill of Rights.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Although it is very clear that the right to practice any religion of choice by individuals, our government must not support one religion as the religion of our nation. The Republican Party is in violation of the first amendment by supporting the Christian religion and denying all others. If the GOP had not allowed this group to control their actions and create policies, the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage would not be a part of our political system.
Recently, Donald Trump has been pandering to groups of Americans he formerly denounced. Friday, at the Values Voter Summit, the “orange man” said the following.
“In a Trump administration, our Christian heritage will be cherished and protected like you’ve never seen before,” he said, reciting an easy applause line. “There is no more charitable group in this country than Christians.”
He also called for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment which forbids the endorsement of political candidates if religious organizations desire to remain tax-exempt.
The only religion which has a history of violence equal to Islam is Christianity. As for religions having tax-exempt status, I ask “why?” Major religions are nothing less than wealthy corporations who amass billions of dollars each year and do not contribute to our nation’s welfare.
Millions of our nation’s people celebrate ‘freedom of religion;’ I want to protect my ‘freedom from religion.’ I demand that the Christian religious right remove itself from our government. The Republican Party must disassociate itself with this special interest group. Without its influence, women would have the right to control the health of their own bodies; the LGBT community would no longer be condemned for seeking equal rights to their heterosexual brothers and sisters. The GOP must remove itself from our bedrooms and healthcare facilities.
All true Americans support our Constitution, and I am one of those patriots. We who believe in the law of the land are fighting to save it from those who would pass legislation which would repeal sections they dislike. I strongly support the right of every individual American to practice the religion of their choice, but I also support those who refuse to allow any religion to affect their lives.
As one of those individuals, I reject the attempt of any other man, standing behind a pulpit, to control any part of my life. I view religion as a cult. I have free thought, and the ability to know right from wrong. I seek to find spirituality in my life daily. I have no need for someone to tell me what is right and what is wrong. I am an independent American whose beliefs are equally important to those of any religious leader.
Please support individual freedom and re-post. Thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Follow me on twitter: @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 