Religious Freedom

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Recommended: Freedom of speech in higher ed

America, a place that allows people to express themselves as freely as possible. This country is known for their freedoms and liberties that have been denied in so many other places elsewhere. Where there should be no fear for people to be individualized and believe in what they want. Religion has always been a deeply discussed issue throughout the united states, especially within government if there is the feeling that one belief has been put above others. For example in the Sioux Falls Community in South Dakota a student had questioned why there is “under God” in the pledge of allegiance and whether schools should have the pledge at all for this reason. Are things like this truly offensive, even if they are a part of history and are people who are not affiliated with a certain religion having these beliefs forced upon them? Is it constitutional to have these assertions within our public society, or does it cross a line between church and state? Whether a person is religious or atheist it is the individuals choice to believe in something or not, and there is always going to be influences coming from both ends, therefore if students want to express their faith on a banner at a school game, let them.
Today students may see forms of different religion expressed by past presidents in a history class, or even in a literature class. These declarations are not forced upon any student to believe in, such as the words on a banner will not impose it’s beliefs on others. A bible verse does not necessarily have to relate back to God, but can just be uplifting words in support of the team. One verse that does just that is Philippians 2:3 which states “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant...

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... the Free Exercise Clause also states that there cannot be “exertion of any restraint on the free exercise of religion.”
There is a christian television show called the 700 Club that airs on the ABC Family Network. At the beginning of every show they make sure to state that the views and ideas within the show are not their own, but they still put it on the air. Like the 700 Club, students are representing their beliefs not the schools. No person should be oppressed for their faith or opinions.

Works Cited

"Bible Verses For Athletes: 20 Motivational Scriptures." What Christians Want To Know RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2014.

"Introduction to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment." Introduction to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.

"Free Exercise of Religion." Justia Law. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2014.

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