ECT Religion and Freedom; Freedom of Religion

[Jacob]

Often people talk of how they have a relationship with God and Jesus, rather than a religion. This is probably rightly still considered a religious belief, or religion. A person is free to believe this. They have freedom of religion. And there is much good in this statement. For religion has appeared to be different than what it truly is (See a good definition or explanation of true religion (rather than religion for show) in James 1:27 NASB). People have their self-made religion or religion based on works for example. But no person is saved by God and truly free in Christ by a religion of works. This is not to say that good works should ever be viewed as bad.

In the United States of America we have freedom of religion. That is a person is free to be a Christian without fear of harm. A person can express their religious beliefs.

Since true freedom is found in Jesus Christ who has taken care of the penalty and power of sin (and ultimately the presence of sin), freedom of religion is all the more important. For with it we can express from the Bible that which saves a person from sin and from himself, making him truly free.

 

[WonderfulLordJesus]

Yes, freedom of religion if very important and right. Christianity, as opposed to Islam, is not compulsory, nowhere our Lord Jesus forced anybody to do anything. Only evil and corrupt men pervert religion in such ways, resulting in lies, murder and other violence. In scripture, people are free to believe or not, and it should be no other way, as compulsory "faith" is phony: a person outwardly willing, but inwardly dissenting, is simply a fearful liar, an actor. This isn't belief. God wants worship in spirit and truth, that comes from a willing heart. Also, God is the judge and the avenger in spiritual matters, not man, we having a role in law and order, to protect people from crime, but no role in outlawing being individuals, with free wills, as the Lord made us, for better or worse. You may note that our Lord Jesus didn't spend five minutes, mucking around in politics, His kingdom not even of this world, nor was government given any role in matters of faith.

 

[Jacob]

Yes, freedom of religion if very important and right. Christianity, as opposed to Islam, is not compulsory, nowhere our Lord Jesus forced anybody to do anything. Only evil and corrupt men pervert religion in such ways, resulting in lies, murder and other violence. In scripture, people are free to believe or not, and it should be no other way, as compulsory "faith" is phony: a person outwardly willing, but inwardly dissenting, is simply a fearful liar, an actor. This isn't belief. God wants worship in spirit and truth, that comes from a willing heart. Also, God is the judge and the avenger in spiritual matters, not man, we having a role in law and order, to protect people from crime, but no role in outlawing being individuals, with free wills, as the Lord made us, for better or worse. You may note that our Lord Jesus didn't spend five minutes, mucking around in politics, His kingdom not even of this world, nor was government given any role in matters of faith.

It is important to speak the truth, not politics. Our government is different from that of Israel and Rome in the time of Christ. But we are to submit to the governing authorities none-the-less, as scripture says (Romans 13:1 NASB). I am thankful for the freedoms I have as a United States Citizen. But this is also to describe that in religion, that is in Christianity, we have true freedom. So it makes sense that our religion would be protected by law.