We are constantly hearing about religious freedom from those in the Trump administration. Unfortunately, what they really mean is Christian freedom. They won’t acknowledge the fact that there are many different religions that are practiced by Americans. To truly have a conversation about religion we must include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and all the other religions, while understanding that a large percentage of Americans are secular.
The First Amendment of our Constitution guarantees freedom of, and freedom from, religion. Local, state, and the federal government should not be involved with religious beliefs in any way, shape or form. Trump’s inept secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, recently embarrassed himself by publicly reciting a passage spoken by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie “Pulp Fiction,” apparently believing it to be a Bible verse.
And Trump went even further askew by posting an online image of himself as Jesus Christ, which was truly blasphemous. Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama have proposed forcing public schools to display the Ten commandments in every classroom.
If that’s the case then the teachings of Buddha, Islam, and Judaism must also be displayed. Our kids should learn about all religions, then as they grow older and more mindful they can choose for themselves which, if any, faiths to follow. But in any event the government should stick to governing and leave religion to individuals.
James Korthals, Cedarburg
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When Trump team touts religious freedom, they mean Christian | Letter
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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