Religious Freedom

2070 Words5 Pages

This statement is the foundational tenet for the evangelical and fundamentalist Christian dogma that purports a literal understanding of the Bible to be the unquestionable and undeniable truth. Creationism, a proposed alternative to evolutionary theory, requires a Christian dogma that holds the literal understanding of the Bible to be the sole source of truth. As an alternative to the natural explanation of the origins of life that science and evolutionary theory provides, creationism ministers a supernatural explanation as provided in the biblical Genesis. Given the source of information, the exclusive nature to its validity, and the unwavering conviction of its soundness, creationism is a religiously dogmatic understanding for the origin of life. As such, creationism does not promote scientific or religious freedom; rather, creationism is the promotion of a specific evangelical or fundamentalist Christian dogma that asserts a literal translation of the Bible as the sole guidance toward truth.

Creationism is based on several seemingly unquestioned assumptions. Of the several assumptions creationism defends, the foundational assumption, the inerrancy of the bible, is the most perplexing. With a literal understanding of the Bible, several problems begin to surface. “A belief in the literal truth of the Bible presupposes designation of a particular version out of the many that have been written in the last 2000 years” (Spuhler, 1985). Creationists must be dogmatic, not only about their religious beliefs, but also about which Bible is most accurate for acutely gaining the literal understanding of the Word of God. The Bible creationists use, as a translated text, has interpretation through translation inherent within the wo...

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... 1959; Nagel, 1971). Some are able to bear the burden of absurdity. Others still feel “that nostalgia for unity, that appetite for the absolute illustrates the essential impulse of the human drama” (Camus, 1955). If scientific discovery can be used as a barometer for the zeitgeist of any particular moment, then the struggle between science and creationism is an indicator of a shifting paradigm. Science is alienating those who need a greater purpose and meaning in life. The threat is a personal one. To teach creationism is not only an infringement on religious freedom, it is also the promotion of intolerance and an advocacy for being afraid of existence. Religion is always there for those who need it. Science is there for those dedicated to truth and knowledge and are comfortable with facing the painful, anxiety-producing endeavor of exploring the unknown.

Compare and Contrast of Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins´s Points of View on Science and Religion
1095 Words | 3 Pages
In conclusion, it is possible for science and religion to overlap. Although Gould’s non-overlapping magisterial claims that creationism doesn’t conflict with evolution, it doesn’t hold with a religion that takes the biblical stories literally. Moreover, I defended my thesis, there is some overlap between science and religion and these overlaps cause conflict that make it necessary to reject either science or religion, by using Dawkins’ and Plantinga’s arguments. I said earlier that I agree with Dawkins that both science and religion provide explanation, consolation, and uplift to society. However, there is only conflict when science and religion attempt to explain human existence. Lastly, I use Plantinga’s argument for exclusivists to show that such conflict means that science and religion are not compatible. It demands a rejection t either science or religion.
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Summary Of Andy Crouch Delight In Creation
266 Words | 1 Pages
Science and faith are generally viewed as two topics that do not intermingle. However, Andy Crouch’s work, Delight in Creation, suggests that there is an approach to both faith and science that allows support of scientists in the church community. There is an approach that can regard science as a career that can reflect the nature of God.
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Robert Root-Bernstein And Mceachron: Article Analysis
519 Words | 2 Pages
Robert Root-Bernstein and Donald L. McEachron, “Teaching Theories: The Evolution-Creation Controversy,” The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 44, No. 7 (Oct…1982). This article, written by Robert Root-Bernstein and Donald L. McEachron sheds light on the controversy of evolution vs creationism in schools and the validity of each being called a scientific theory. The work was created to answer the questions, “Which of these theories is truly scientific and which is a religious belief? Which should be taught in schools?” The article concluded in favor of evolution as a valid scientific theory that should be taught rather than creationism, but also mentioned the worth of understanding the latter.
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Religious Freedoms or Lack There Of
812 Words | 2 Pages
Religious freedom can be viewed in different ways depending on the person or persons seeking the freedom. One group may search for the freedom to practice their own religion, such as the pilgrims and the puritans. However others may view religious freedom as the right to openly practice any religion, a view portrayed in, “Roger Williams on Liberty of Conscience”. These different views are all but insignificant in the development of the American colonies because many of the colonies were formed solely on the quest for so-called religious freedom.
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Freedom Of Religion In Canada
1255 Words | 3 Pages
It is without a doubt that Canada is considered one of the most welcoming and peaceful countries in the entire world. Individuals fleeing conflicts from different continents, on opposites sides of the planet, view Canada as a safe haven, a place to thrive, succeed, and safely live life to its fullest potential. Excellent healthcare, education, and proper gun control are just some of the many priviledges freely given to those who are lucky enough to call Canada their home. The Rights and Freedoms of Canadians are incomparable to those of individuals living in other countries, and with freedom of religion being one of them, it becomes crucial that we respect and show acceptance of different religions. However, it is saddening to see that in
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Should Intelligent Design be Taught in Public Schools?
1653 Words | 4 Pages
Since the time that teaching evolution in public schools was banned as heresy and taboo for contradicting the Bible, most public school systems today take an opposite approach in which creationism is seldom ta...
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Essay On Freedom Of Religion
753 Words | 2 Pages
What is freedom of religion? Today people speak freely about their own views over specific topics regarding what they believe and what they think is the truth. Along with everything in life there are limits and laws that the government of the United States has established. Let’s take a look at the definition of freedom, what the government says about our freedom, how it is acted out and portrayed in America, and a few case studies regarding freedom of religion.
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Religious Freedom And Individual Rights Case Study
1258 Words | 3 Pages
Religious freedoms and individual rights have always been a problem in the United States and there have been constant arguments over the original intent of the U.S. Constitution. In recent years, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal in the United States, many problems have surfaced involving businesses and public officials denying goods and services to same-sex couples as well as not performing their civic duties based on their religious convictions. Problems have also occurred in areas involving business being required to provide contraception coverage for their employees. In 2014, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, this was a major issue because Hobby Lobby would not cover “morning-after pills and intrauterine devices”. These incidents have lead to several key questions when dealing with these issues. “Should public officials be allowed to place their religious convictions ahead of their civic duty? Should business owners be required to provide goods or services if doing so violates their religious beliefs? Should businesses, doctors and others be allowed to
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Religious Freedom in a World of Religious Restrictions
3119 Words | 7 Pages
About half a decade ago John F. Kennedy spoke these famous words: “tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others” (1930). Nowadays the issues of tolerance, oppression and persecution are still relevant, especially with regard to religion. Even though globally and nationally religious restrictions are increasing, without most Western people’s awareness, there is hope for an increase in religious freedom in the future.
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An Analysis of J Michael Bishops Enemies Of Promise
2411 Words | 5 Pages
One of the most visible critics of science today, and the progenitor of the anti-science sentiment is the religious community, specifically the conservative Christians. One can hardly read the newspaper without reading of one religious figurehead or another preaching on the "fallacy of science," pushing their own brand of "truth" on whoever would hear them. As Bishop writes "It is discouraging to think than more than a century after the publication of Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species (1859), and seventy years after the Scopes trial dramatized the issue, the same battles must still be fought."(256) And the loudest rallying cries to these battles can be heard issuing from the throats of the ranks of zealots and their hordes of followers.
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Creationism In Brave New World
1326 Words | 3 Pages
Creationism is defined as “the belief that the universe and the various forms of life were created by God out of nothing” (Britannica 1). With the
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Freedom Of Religion In Australia
758 Words | 2 Pages
Freedom of Religion Freedom of religion in Australia means the freedom of being able to choose whatever religion you want and not being assaulted or insulted for it. This also means that the government can’t interfere with your choice of religion (or no religion).Some religious beliefs however cannot be followed if they mean the harm of another believer’s faith or if they interfere with the laws of the country. This freedom applies to most countries in the world however there are a few such as: Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Burma and China that don’t have this luxury. There are some countries in the world that have a national religion such as Argentina and Bolivia. Freedom of Religion in Australia
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Essay On Freedom Of Religion
634 Words | 2 Pages
The individual right to freedom of religion means that you can freely practice your religion without the government interfering. It’s in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights, in the Constitution, it protects all U.S. citizens to a certain extent. The first amendment went into effect on December 15th, 1791. 1The first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” (American Civil Liberties Union). There are two clauses in the U.S. Constitution that guarantee freedom of religion. The Establishment Clause which prohibits the government from passing legislation to establish an official religion. There is also the Free Exercise Clause, it prohibits the government from interfering with someone’s practice of religion (LII). The first amendment also sets a fine line between states’ rights and the churches rights (Black,130). Throughout time, many things have happened to where the first amendment has had to been set into play.
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Task Of Demythologizing Summary
741 Words | 2 Pages
We cannot over simplify human behavior and the power of belief. Belief being the structure humans have created to understand one’s existence. Equally important, beliefs reassure a sense of balance and control in a world where we may feel powerless or helpless despite scientific developments. Nevertheless, science is the reality tested. Bultmann, points out blind acceptance of the New Testament’s written word would be irrational, and “a sacrifice of the intellect which could have only one result – a curious form of schizophrenia and insincerity” . Nevertheless, there remains a confusion that pervades modern ideas of the universe and our existence. Bultmann did acknowledge the truths a shallow enlightenment had failed to perceive are later rediscovered in ancient myths. Therefore, the task of dissecting the written words and structure of the New Testament is important for clarification and
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668 Words | 2 Pages
The Evolution Creationist believes that the bible contains ancient science. It shows that there is a connection between science and God. They are saying that a God builds or guides through science; there is a natural revelation. If you analyze Genesis 1 – 11, you can observe that contains features of ancient science structure, operation, and origin of the universe and life. This part really shows or offers historical record of actual events. As said earlier, the ...
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Religious Freedom

Compare and Contrast of Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins´s Points of View on Science and Religion

Summary Of Andy Crouch Delight In Creation

Robert Root-Bernstein And Mceachron: Article Analysis