Guest Column: 2012 Religious Freedom is under attack

Religious Freedom Day is a time for reflection on the first freedom guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Each January 16th is an important time for policy-makers to recommit to protecting the ability of citizens to maintain their religious identity and to freely express their religious convictions.

As Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto GOD what is GOD’s (Matthew 22:21).

All citizens have the GOD-given right to express their personal faith in the manner they choose. The Founding Fathers believed that a government not willing to respect citizens’ religious freedoms would be unlikely to respect other freedoms. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights is the freedom OF religion and not freedom FROM religion.

This freedom is what makes our country exceptional. According to report by Open Doors Ministry, at least 176,000 Christians in the world were martyred for their faith in 2009.

Observing Religious Freedom Day can draw our attention to the valuable contributions that religious groups make to society. For example, churches are essential in cultivating the virtuous habits necessary for self-government, tackle social problems, and care for the needy.

Consequently, the religious adherents are not the only individuals adversely affected when religious freedoms are undermined, those who are served by these ministries lose out too.

Consider these recent incidents attacking religious freedoms:

In April 2009, a Homeland Security report linked evangelical Christians with domestic terrorists. It further warned law enforcement to watch out for individuals with “radical” ideologies based on Christian views , such as opposing illegal immigration, abortion, and federal taxes. An official with the Missouri Highway Patrol criticized the report, assuring that such reports no longer will be issued.

In May 2009, the U.S. military incinerated hundreds of Bibles that were bound for Afghanistan. Rather than returning the Bibles to their original donors, the Bibles were destroyed since Afghanistan condemns the practice of Christianity and Judaism.

In May 2010, law enforcement prohibited an Arizona teacher, her students, and several adults from quietly praying outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. The group was taking an educational tour of the Supreme Court complex, standing to the side at the bottom of the steps, and quietly bowing their heads in prayer. Law enforcement stated that “parades and processions on the Supreme Court grounds were strictly prohibited.”

In September 2011, the Walter Reed Military Hospital implemented a new policy prohibiting religious material and artifacts, specifically Bibles, from being brought in to hospitalized soldiers. This directive even pertained to military chaplains. Ironically, the facility is named after Walter Reed who was the son of a Methodist minister and a devout Christian himself.

While this directive was eventually rescinded due to public outcry, our leaders are making a grave mistake if they try to remove the inalienable right of religion in this country.

Reverend El Akuchie is pastor at Godsfield House of Prayer and Executive Director of the Richland Community Prayer Network.