The Importance of Religious Liberty in our Society ...

Romans 14:4 (King James Version)
4Who art thou that
judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he
shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Roman 14:4 (New International Version)
4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he
stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

All people should have the right to the freedom of religious expression.

Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? - Romans 14, NRSV

To worship freely is a fundamental concern of human rights for all
people. The right to religious liberty must also entail the right to evangelize
and witness on issues of state and society. Denial of religious liberties often
is associated with economic, political and social marginalization and should be
ended. An important part of securing religious liberty is eliminating
limitations on voluntary association.

Religious liberty is threatened not only through repression, but
also through political favoritism whereby a specific religion is given special
favor by the state and the interests of the two are fused. This threatens the
special mission granted by God to religion and prohibits the prophetic witness
of religion to the issues of the state.

Religious freedom also must protect the rights of those who doubt
or deny the existence of God. To refrain from religious expressions is as
secured as the right to engage in religious expression. - Religious Liberty

However, our society cannot eliminate God in the vocabulary of our society. In doing so, we would risk the establishment of the reverse in our society, which would violate our free exercise thereof.

As we seek to build better understanding between one another, when we Think, say or do ...

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do ...

• FIRST: Is it the TRUTH?


• SECOND: Is it FAIR to all concerned?


• THIRD: Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?


• FOURTH: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Recently, some suggest that the sentence Is it SUSTAINABLE? should be added to the Four-Way Test. The 2010-11 RI theme, Building Communities -- Bridging Continents suggests sustainable theme to many.

Robin Tucker