Quest for Religious Freedom

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Freedom as defined is, the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The quest for religious freedom is what drove many people to protest, or go as far as fleeing their native country to be able to practice and preach what they believe. There are many stories in history that show how people have stood up and fought for their religion even before we became the United States of America. The people that came over on the Mayflower, and Roger Williams, are both examples of people who weren't at first given religious freedom but went against what they knew to acquire it. By the means of George Washington’s letter he was able to ease the minds of not only the Hebrew Congregations but all religions. He states the natural rights apply to religious freedom. Independence is America’s trademark, it is what our country was built upon and has fought so hard to maintain. Even though Americans have struggled at times to accept the difference of religions, our government has kept a steadfast commitment to religious tolerance. As we all know, colonist explored and came to America with the hope for a new beginning. Among their many goals perhaps their search for religious freedom was the most influential and morally sound reason to come to this new land. On account of England pulling away from the Roman Catholic Church and creating their own religion, The Church of England was established in the 1500s. As this new church started, many did not accept it including the Puritans and Pilgrims who fled to America because they were being persecuted. For a time, Massachusetts Bay Colony was a religious haven. However, after time intolerance and discrimination occurred which caused Roger Williams, a political and re... ... middle of paper ... ...issue that was discussed was the case Lee v. Weisman (1992) a Rhode Island principle, Robert E. Lee invited a rabbi to speak at the school’s graduation. With a failed attempt at stopping the rabbi by speaking at his daughter’s graduation, Weisman filed for bans on religious speaking at schools. When brought to court it was declared against the first amendment because it was a public school run by the government. Therefore personal prayers inflicted upon the liberties of people. Today, the freedom of people is still very important. With the support of the government, George Washington was able to identify the basic principles of spiritual permission in his letter to the Hebrew Congregation. This reassured faith into our new government and nation. While there have been a few obstacles, the United States of America has persisted to reach George Washington’s standards.

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