Freedom of Religion is something that we hold dear to our hearts as Americans. It is freedom from persecution and one of the reasons the Mayflower set sail to the New World. Freedom of Religion cannot be complete without freedom to worship no religion, to reject all other religions from one’s belief system or to claim no higher power than self. The Atheists in America appear to simply be granted the same rights as those who chose to worship a God, or Gods, statue, energy, Sun, Alien or Force. If one worships nothing, “no thing” or refuses to find comfort in an invisible friend, companion or God, well then that must be allowed as well. You cannot have true religious freedom without granting the Atheists their worship of nothing or their belief that there is no God.

If we attack those with a difference in view, we attack the individual and thus trample the rights of the few, which is not what our nation stands for. Indeed if we ridicule Atheists on Television and call them names, suggest they are any less ethical for their beliefs, then we do so at the peril of those individuals and the whole of our nation. In doing so we tear down the fiber of America and rip up our Constitution. Recently at a coffee shop I witnessed a heated debate between a strong non-denominational Christian and an Atheist as they debated away all points near and far on religion, God, who created the Universe and how come each individual was correct and the other entirely wrong.

After the debate the Christian Gentleman, who I would give an A + for effort departed and I sat down and talked with the Atheist Gentleman, a scholar and an intellectual in his own right. Both men were far from incompetent and indeed the heated debate was worthy to watch in all its sound and fury. I indicated to the Atheist that I had enjoyed the Christians comments and the Atheist comments, as well. The Atheist said to me;

“Sometimes although I cringe when I do it, I often say I am agnostic just so I do not get the evil look? I can feel their anger and rage when I tell them I am an atheist, which is interesting because that is exactly opposite of what their religion is suppose to teach; hypocrites, just leave alone I think to myself.”

Indeed the Atheist did have a point and I had just witnessed a perfect example in the debate at the coffee shop. Ridiculous I thought to myself that one would have to tell a lie to keep peace, yet in some ways he was right and we both knew it. We discussed the issues of the Constitution, freedom of worship, freedom of speech, etc and it seemed to me that there is an inherent problem in the religious tolerance in the United States for those who do not think a certain way, maintain a specific belief system or hold the same God to their hearts. The Atheist, a small businessman and consultant said to me;

“Actually in business I have never been screwed over by an Atheist ever, I myself have never screwed anyone, totally upfront. Yet every time someone tells me; "You can trust me I am Christian" Oh crap look out!”

Indeed his point is well taken on that matter as well, yet there are hypocrites one must assume in all walks of life and certainly in all religions. It seemed to me to be apparent that we are not honoring our Constitution if we belittle those who are Atheists and refuse to believe in an invisible friend, which they cannot see, feel or touch. Even if others can or claim to, which seems to be an individual issue. Do you really know God? Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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