Religious Equality
Recently there has been controversy over a set of football slogans, derived from the bible, that have been used by a cheer-leading team. (Assumes that you've read it before continuing)
I wanted to begin by talking about the incredible amount of religious freedom we have in America. Whether you want to stand on the street and shout offensive slogans or die because you refused a blood transfusion, you can do it in America.
Now, that may sound particularly negative, much it's merely meant to illustrate just how far our religious freedom allows us to push the envelope. For a more positive look, I would turn to the fact that there is a church (or other spirituality building) no more than two blocks from anywhere I've ever lived or spent time, in every city I've ever lived in. Even in college sized towns there are assuredly more than 100 religious buildings, representing a plethora of varying beliefs from Christian to Wicca and beyond.
This amount of freedom and diversity is truly amazing and wonderful. No matter where you hail from or what your beliefs are, they can find a place here, and worship freely. Given that in some countries the practice of unapproved religions can be punishable by death if religion is allowed at all, how can we have such amazing religious freedom?
In my opinion, and one that I believe is very commonly accepted, is that it is because we have set up our society in such a way that it divides government and religion, and views all religions equally. The division comes from the constitution, and takes on two distinct and important roles. The first is a religiously neutral government, which is essential for both religious equality and prevention of a theocracy like that of Iran. The second is the separation of church and state, which works both ways. The government doesn't endorse or promote on religion over another, and equally each religion doesn't have a greater place in the government's eye than any other. (I'm going to assume that you understand what happens when these divisions aren't maintained, and why it's bad for society as a whole when that happens. If I get enough confused comments, I may make another post solely dedicated to that issue.)
To maintain this balance, there are two places which religion is kept out of: schools and other government institutions. Take note that of all the countless places and scenarios available to us, only in two places are we asked to impose our religious views for the sake of religious equality in society. It's so very little to ask, and so easy to do, and yet so often disregarded.
Take this for example:
It is a rather humorous, alternative interpretation of Jesus's actions; but it also serves to point out that not everyone feels or believes the same things, and that one man's "religiously moving banner" can represent something wholly offensive to another. Just as the majority of American's may believe that Jesus is their savior, you need only cross the street to find someone who disagrees, or at least disagrees on the details, and that's okay. In fact, it's wonderful, because diversity and equality enrich all our lives and the society we live in.
So now let's look at the banner that was being used during the football game:
After reading this message it is clear that it disrupts the balance of religious equality in this school, and cannot reasonably allowed to exist in an environment that is charged with maintaining religious neutrality. I don't believe that individuals involved had any specific agenda (though they may have unconsciously wanted to promote their own beliefs - not a bad thing), but the path to hell is paved in good intentions. To be fair though, that shouldn't be taken literally, and only means that bad things can come from good intentions, which should illustrate the fact that it doesn't matter what the cheerleaders were trying to do, because it's simply inappropriate for the context.
Now, I've heard it said that this violates free expression of religion, but I wholeheartedly disagree. First off, we've already agreed that this is one of only two places where religious neutrality is a must for our society, so on that count alone we can see why we wouldn't want such a banner displayed during a school-sponsored event. Secondly, this isn't an act of individual expression. If the cheerleaders all wore crosses or Jesus memorabilia during the school day it would be fine and allowed. However, during a game, the cheerleaders are representing the school, and as such should make every effort to keep their actions religiously neutral. On top of all this, it's important to remember that in all likelihood the school allowed this banner to be displayed (or at least the paid representative of the school did - whichever teacher is in charge of such things), and so it is directly connected to the school - thus, inappropriate. Even if the school was simply ignoring a random act of religious expression on the part of it's students, given the context, it is the obligation of the school to remove/ban the use of the banner in an effort to maintain the appropriate level of religious neutrality that it's been charged with.
It should also be noted that this is the 4th time the school has banned a religious message (from Atheist, to Wiccan, to this and probably more), so it has a long history of maintaining this balance. You're only hearing about it now because it has to do with a Christian slogan, and for some strange reason certain groups of misguided Christians erroneously feel that they deserve to be more equal than other religions - which is obviously just plain silly and detrimental to society and equality as a whole.
So, for all those out there I want you to know that I am a firm believer in equality, religious equality, freedom of expression, and our society. I do, however, recognize that there are some minimal sacrifices that have to occur so that we can live in a nation with such copious amounts of religious freedom and diversity. ^.^
I wanted to begin by talking about the incredible amount of religious freedom we have in America. Whether you want to stand on the street and shout offensive slogans or die because you refused a blood transfusion, you can do it in America.
Now, that may sound particularly negative, much it's merely meant to illustrate just how far our religious freedom allows us to push the envelope. For a more positive look, I would turn to the fact that there is a church (or other spirituality building) no more than two blocks from anywhere I've ever lived or spent time, in every city I've ever lived in. Even in college sized towns there are assuredly more than 100 religious buildings, representing a plethora of varying beliefs from Christian to Wicca and beyond.
This amount of freedom and diversity is truly amazing and wonderful. No matter where you hail from or what your beliefs are, they can find a place here, and worship freely. Given that in some countries the practice of unapproved religions can be punishable by death if religion is allowed at all, how can we have such amazing religious freedom?
In my opinion, and one that I believe is very commonly accepted, is that it is because we have set up our society in such a way that it divides government and religion, and views all religions equally. The division comes from the constitution, and takes on two distinct and important roles. The first is a religiously neutral government, which is essential for both religious equality and prevention of a theocracy like that of Iran. The second is the separation of church and state, which works both ways. The government doesn't endorse or promote on religion over another, and equally each religion doesn't have a greater place in the government's eye than any other. (I'm going to assume that you understand what happens when these divisions aren't maintained, and why it's bad for society as a whole when that happens. If I get enough confused comments, I may make another post solely dedicated to that issue.)
To maintain this balance, there are two places which religion is kept out of: schools and other government institutions. Take note that of all the countless places and scenarios available to us, only in two places are we asked to impose our religious views for the sake of religious equality in society. It's so very little to ask, and so easy to do, and yet so often disregarded.
Take this for example:
It is a rather humorous, alternative interpretation of Jesus's actions; but it also serves to point out that not everyone feels or believes the same things, and that one man's "religiously moving banner" can represent something wholly offensive to another. Just as the majority of American's may believe that Jesus is their savior, you need only cross the street to find someone who disagrees, or at least disagrees on the details, and that's okay. In fact, it's wonderful, because diversity and equality enrich all our lives and the society we live in.
So now let's look at the banner that was being used during the football game:
After reading this message it is clear that it disrupts the balance of religious equality in this school, and cannot reasonably allowed to exist in an environment that is charged with maintaining religious neutrality. I don't believe that individuals involved had any specific agenda (though they may have unconsciously wanted to promote their own beliefs - not a bad thing), but the path to hell is paved in good intentions. To be fair though, that shouldn't be taken literally, and only means that bad things can come from good intentions, which should illustrate the fact that it doesn't matter what the cheerleaders were trying to do, because it's simply inappropriate for the context.
Now, I've heard it said that this violates free expression of religion, but I wholeheartedly disagree. First off, we've already agreed that this is one of only two places where religious neutrality is a must for our society, so on that count alone we can see why we wouldn't want such a banner displayed during a school-sponsored event. Secondly, this isn't an act of individual expression. If the cheerleaders all wore crosses or Jesus memorabilia during the school day it would be fine and allowed. However, during a game, the cheerleaders are representing the school, and as such should make every effort to keep their actions religiously neutral. On top of all this, it's important to remember that in all likelihood the school allowed this banner to be displayed (or at least the paid representative of the school did - whichever teacher is in charge of such things), and so it is directly connected to the school - thus, inappropriate. Even if the school was simply ignoring a random act of religious expression on the part of it's students, given the context, it is the obligation of the school to remove/ban the use of the banner in an effort to maintain the appropriate level of religious neutrality that it's been charged with.
It should also be noted that this is the 4th time the school has banned a religious message (from Atheist, to Wiccan, to this and probably more), so it has a long history of maintaining this balance. You're only hearing about it now because it has to do with a Christian slogan, and for some strange reason certain groups of misguided Christians erroneously feel that they deserve to be more equal than other religions - which is obviously just plain silly and detrimental to society and equality as a whole.
So, for all those out there I want you to know that I am a firm believer in equality, religious equality, freedom of expression, and our society. I do, however, recognize that there are some minimal sacrifices that have to occur so that we can live in a nation with such copious amounts of religious freedom and diversity. ^.^