Originally posted by: JediSageI find it odd that we need to oppress freedom in order to attain it, however, I'll bite:
I never said that. All I meant was that how can someone have true freedom of religion, without having to right to chose no religion at all? without being able to chose not to belief
in God?
Originally posted by: JediSage
So, in other words, anyone who assumes public office or works in government automatically abbrogates their right to the free exercise of religion? Must they now take a vow of official atheism prior to taking the position?
No, what it means is that they can't use/abbuse their position to support their religion
example: A school teacher can't use their position to preacher their religious views to thier students. However, that same school teacher has every right to practice his/her faith, As long as doing so doesn't violate someone else's rights.
Originally posted by: JediSageKeep in mind that appeasing all faiths via a position of no faith is just as much of a philosophy as any religion. By definition it's excluding the people who believe and practice their faiths.