The Religious Right

The Religious Right

"We want to be, and will be free, to practice as we believe". This sentiment resonated throughout the colonies approximately two and one half centuries ago. The colonists suffered religious restrictions placed upon them by their ruling monarchy. The struggle to become independent had started. A war for independence ensued, then eventual victory and then the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights includes amendments 1-10 (initially) and the first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", Etc (USA).

The reason we demand freedom, including religious freedom is so we can become the type of people we want to become. However, I do not feel that it can be absolute. Exceptions must be where there is obvious violations of law and where there are harmful consequences for religious actions. Certain religious restrictions should be applied to protect our and citizens, of course the whole bottom line of our constitution is to protect those people who have less of a voice than the majority, but even with that in mind, should a person have free license to practice a religious belief where laws are broken? The Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protection of religious freedom applies only to laws that specifically target religious behavior and that an individual's religious beliefs do not excuse one from complying with statutes that indirectly infringe on their religious rights (Long). The key is, as stated above, As long as what we do does not harm anyone or break some law then we should be able to practice, as we want to.

So, what kinds of problems do some of these non-mainstream religions cause? What kind of trouble do they get into and how is the constitution being used to shield them from what some call questionable practices?

Scientology

It seems the church of Scientology is extreme and some of the beliefs are definitely a concern. One of the controversial topics is the use of a meter to pinpoint the level of "Harmony" a follower is experiencing. In the article Secrets of Scientology, I learned a little bit more about the so-called E-meter. The electropsychometer is a "crude" lie detector in as much as it measures skin electric responses, temperatures and such. The purpose is to measure the degree of "psychic trauma" in order to analyze a follower's mental state and in turn determine the effort needed to achieve the greatest level of "Beingness" (Touretzky). After the FDA imposed restrictions and after certain litigation, the use of the meter was suspended until a disclaimer was applied to the meter.

Christian Scientist

Is it a crime to refuse medical care on behalf of our children? I personally think so. Because I feel that parents have a duty to provide medical care for sick children, regardless of their religious beliefs. "Christian Science rejects not only drugs, but even the simplest human measures for relieving suffering or discomfort, such as hot packs, ice packs, enemas, and backrubs" (Swan). Special authority is given to adherents of this religion to use a "Christian Science practitioner". Someone who steps into the role of a medical provider ensuring treatment is per his or her belief system. The Supreme Court ruled, "That while freedom of belief is protected, people do not have the freedom to act on those beliefs in a way that hurts others" (Asser). But even though, the death toll rises," close to 300 deaths of children of Christian Scientists and fundamentalist faith healing groups have occurred".

Jehovah witnesses (JW)

The Jehovah witnesses, they do not salute the flag, vote, serve in the military and will not accept donated blood through injections or any other method. Military service, allegiance to the flag and blood transfusions are now left up the individual worshipper (Busselman). There should be some sort of mandated service required in time of war. If the draft is in place and many young men are being inducted into service then the JW should be required to find alternative ways to serve. "In prior wars many JW's went to jail due to their refusal to serve" (Kotwall).

Mormons

Mormons, One of my favorite religious subjects is the Mormons (where polygamy is concerned). I was baptized into the religion when I was a child so I find it very interesting to explore some of the history of plural marriages. As far as I know the practice of polygamy was abolished as an appeasement to the U.S. government who were allegedly withholding statehood because of the issue. The president of the church (or prophet) Wilford Woodruff supposedly had a revelation that polygamy should no longer be practiced here on earth and he in turn issued an official "Declaration".

"Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.... And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land" (LDS).

So the Mormons no longer practice polygamy, and doing so would result in sure excommunication. It didn't take too long though for offshoot formations of the Mormons to spring up. Called the fundamental Mormons, these people still do practice Polygamy (bigamy)