Our Founding Fathers had deep core religious beliefs based on Judeo-Christian traditions and the majority of the Founding Fathers were Christians. Samuel Adams said that there was a basic set of beliefs which constitute “the religion of America is the religion of all mankind.” [1]
In other words, our forebears had been through the oppression from England to “submit” to their religion (among other things) and wanted all men to have freedom of conscience to make their own decision on religion. That was over 235 years ago. Then it was tyranny. Now it’s Islamic extremism and religious fanaticism.
The Al Qaeda ideology arose from a puritanical version of Sunni Islamic extremism and supports the unchangeable terrorism sect we are fighting today. The Salafi view of Islam and the Wahhabis are the primary product of Saudi Arabia which is the main ideology or sect we are fighting wars against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in both Afghanistan Pakistan[2]
According to Islamic fundamentalism, they are doing Allah’s will by trying to force us, by oppression, to surrender to Allah’s will because in their twisted ideology mankind has no right to freedom of religion, just the right (and expectation) based on Islam to be Muslim. This is a very twisted and warped sense of religion. It’s more of a cult that has brainwashed their adherents. They rule and get others to submit to fear.
This is far from Gods plan and will for mankind. God told us in Proverbs to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Proverbs 31:8
Most Americans have always considered God and morality central to America’s survival, just no one particular “sect or denomination” forced upon people. Thomas Jefferson called these beliefs the principles “in which God has united us all.” God was always part of the fabric which built the country we live in today.
Religion has always been considered the starting point for other freedoms. Our Founding Fathers acknowledged God as the source of our rights. Many examples of faith and religious freedom are in the Bible. We as individuals and as free men need to step up and step out to help those less fortunate especially those who are persecuted for their faith.
As St. Paul said, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.” (Gal: 6:10)
I hope that we as Americans have not lost the idea that freedom of conscience and freedom of religion is the starting point for all other freedoms. On January 30, 1984 President Ronald Reagan addressed the National Religious Broadcasters. “Our mission extends far beyond our borders; God’s family knows no borders. In your life, you face daily trials, but millions of believers in other lands face far worse. They are mocked and persecuted for the crime of loving God. To every religious dissident trapped in that cold, cruel existence, we send our love and support. Our message? You are not alone; you are not forgotten; do not lose your faith and hope because someday you, too, will be free. “The persecuted but not forgotten ribbon reminds us and supports the same message that President Ronald Reagan believed in.
Patrick Carberry
[1] Cleon Skouson, The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle that Changed the World, (The National Center for Constitutional Studies), 78
[2] Margaret Nydel, Understanding Arabs, A Guide for Modern Times, (Intercultural Press, 2006 ), xiv
