In recent days, there has been coverage in the media of certain individuals promoting an overly-strong influence of Christianity into United States politics. An example of this is the baptism of individuals at political rallies. These should be separate, and unconnected events in a person’s life.

To be unambiguous, and not that it should matter, my personal beliefs are that of an agnostic who believes that religion serves more of a social purpose than anything else. As a person of science, I cannot place faith in anything that cannot be proven via the scientific method. An afterlife cannot be proven via any credible, repeatable measurement and any promises to the nature of an afterlife are therefore nothing but hypotheses.

I also believe that people should be allowed to practice whatever religion they want, provided said religion does not infringe upon the protected rights of others. This falls in line with the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…

United States Constitution, Amendment I “Establishment Clause”

This prevents Congress (who writes the laws in the United States) from passing legislation forcing an establishment of religion, broadly making it illegal for the government to promote theocracy or promote a specific religion with taxes. I, personally, do not want to be forced to believe any religious dogma no more than anyone who has strong faith in a religion wants me telling them they cannot practice their faith. And, I believe that “live and let live so long as you aren’t hurting anyone else” policy should work in both directions.

Also note that it’s also in agreement with the Free Exercise Clause, also in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution:

… or prohibiting the free exercise [of religion]…

United States Constitution, Amendment I “Free Exercise Clause”

This is where anyone talking of the United States being a “Christian Nation” and acting to enforce beliefs of any specific faith as part of legislation crosses a line that goes against their freedom to practice their beliefs. Note, religious practices themselves must be in line with the laws of the United States of America (see: Reynolds v. United States) which is intended to protect individuals’ rights against “extreme practices” such as human sacrifice, mutilation, incest, etc.

So, US residents can believe and practice whatever they want, provided they do not harm anyone else or interfere with their freedoms. I will defend the protection of that freedom to my final breath, including (but not limited to) protecting the freedoms of a woman’s right to choose, individuals’ rights to marry whomever they choose (note: this does not include the promotion of bestiality as some would incorrectly assume and argue), and the freedom of sexual expression between consenting adults, among many others.

The authors of our Constitution were part of The Enlightenment, and as such valued continuous, life-long education in all forms as a requirement for a functioning Democratic Republic. Therefore, instead of fighting over religious quibbles that have no place in US Law per our governing documents, can we please focus on ensuring that our citizens have access to quality education and correct information (meaning: prove-able reality and not hearsay) to protect not only our religious freedoms but all of them. Keep religion out of legislation, and keep legislation based on facts, not dogma.