In America, laws protect us from religious discrimination, and we are free to worship, or not worship, what and who we choose under the United States Constitution. This is just one of our many civil liberties as U.S. citizens. 

We live, work, and go to school alongside many others who do not necessarily have the same beliefs we do. However, that does not make people who believe differently than us wrong. Different religious beliefs make our country a melting pot of unique views. Our individuality is what makes us diverse.

Free exercise of religion benefits not only individuals who choose different paths to worship but the communities they live in. Many religious organizations choose to participate in their community to make a positive impact, even if the community is non-religious as a whole.

For example, religious communities often volunteer their time doing community service and working for nonprofit organizations. 

Religious freedom protects everyone — not just those who are religious minorities.

Without protection to worship, we wouldn't be able to celebrate what makes us different. Our own sense of being unique would be demolished. Our core values and beliefs would no longer be our own but would be the choice of the government.

Resulting from the freedoms we have, people don't have to be afraid to be themselves in public settings. Religious freedom, also known as religious liberty, applies to all religious groups and religious practices. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Pagan, or atheist — all are treated equally under religious freedom.

In the U.S., all can worship without living in fear of being punished by the government for having a different faith. This is one of our human rights.

Let’s break down how religious freedom works.

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Protecting our rights

Our government does not police our religious beliefs. In addition, Congress cannot adopt any particular religion. To mandate specific religions and religious ideas goes against America’s values of freedom.

Due to this fundamental right, our government cannot tell its citizens what to believe, how to think, and how to act. In this manner, it is related to our other rights, such as free speech.

The U.S. government also strives to protect people’s beliefs worldwide. In 1998, the International Religious Freedom Act was passed — this made religious freedom a foreign policy for the U.S.

However, there is a point where the government will step in when religion is concerned; this is when religion is being used as a reason to hurt others.

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Government stepping in on religion

If people are free to practice whatever religion they want, how can we make sure cults that hurt people don't take advantage of the First Amendment? Fortunately, the government does step in here, and with good reason — for the protection and safety of its citizens.

The government can limit religious freedoms in the interest of promoting justice and protecting the “common good.”

This means the government can come to the side of protecting people when their well-being is in harm's way under the guise of religious freedom. 

For instance, a man cannot take a 10-year-old child bride and claim it's his religious right. It is the responsibility of the government to protect that child from abuse.

Our government also protects us when cases go to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding religious freedom. 

Court decisions include the landmark case Engel vs. Vitale. This court case debated a New York State law that mandated public schools to begin each school day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. This prayer required students to acknowledge their dependence upon God. 

The Supreme Court ruled that school-promoted prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Because of this decision, public schools cannot force students to participate in prayer.

What does the Bible have to say about the freedom of religion?

Jesus Christ does not require people to believe in Him. As human beings, God has granted us free will, and we have the choice to believe in Him. This is known as God's gift of volition, and it is described in Joshua 24:15:

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

This point is further seen in the stories written by Jesus’s apostles, such as in Matthew 19: 16-23.

In this scripture, Jesus tells a rich man how to enter His father's Heavenly Kingdom. However, this is a choice the man was given — our Lord and Savior did not impose it on him:

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’

“‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’

“‘Which ones?’ he inquired.

“Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’

“‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’

“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

“When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

However, the Bible does tell us Jesus laments whenever He witnesses someone not choosing to follow in His footsteps. We see this in Matthew 23:37:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Religious freedom is more than the “freedom to worship” at a synagogue, church, or mosque. It is one of our civil rights according to the U.S. Constitution, and it allows for diversity and free will.

Many of the values we have instilled in us stem from our religion, and we are able to practice these values because of the religious freedom we enjoy.

To stay connected to God’s word and the Holy Spirit, you can listen to Pray Premium Audio. For more prayer guidance, download the Pray.com app on the iOS App Store and Google Play.