Two Small Words, One Big Difference

Two Small Words, One Big Difference

There are two small words that make a world of difference in interpreting the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution - from and of.  We barely give a thought to these words when we speak them. Small words, but definitely not interchangeable.

Almost every day there is a news story about individuals or organizations at odds over religion, or just implied or perceived religious overtones. This week was no different.

At Camp Pendleton in California, the existence of a memorial to fallen Marines is being threatened. If you are unfamiliar with the story, a memorial was constructed ten years ago by a group of seven Marines to honor their fallen comrades. Two crosses were erected high on a hilltop on the base in a secluded area, reachable only by a long, arduous hike. The memorial was constructed to honor the fallen and provide a place of quiet reflection for family members and other Marines.

Since the memorial was created several of those involved in creating the memorial died in the line of duty.

Now that memorial is in danger. Why? The crosses are offensive to a group of atheists. Citing the right of freedom FROM religion, the atheist group now plans to sue if the crosses are not removed. It is unclear why the crosses so offend the atheists, and why they feel it is any of their business in the first place.

I’d like to point out that in this great country one does have the right to be offended by the speech or actions of another. That is because we have liberty. We are free to do as we please, so long as the rights of another aren’t infringed upon and harm is not being done to another.

The first amendment, in part, reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...”

Yes. Exactly. Freedom OF religion, not FROM religion. We are free to worship and express our religious beliefs as we see fit. Why don’t the atheists get it? They are free not to believe, and we are free to believe. And, we are supposed to be able to co-exist in this land of liberty. So why must there constantly be a concerted effort to wipe God out?

As a nation, we have allowed political correctness to become our religion. We have taken God out of school; we’ve tried to take him out of every public space. Prayer is viewed with disdain. We have tried to revise the wishes of our Founding Fathers (not Framers!) and pretend that we know better than they, what their intent was when they established religious freedom as the first and most important freedom we have.

Military member stand ready to give their lives defending the rights of Americans, including atheists. Why then, should their liberty be infringed upon now? Have these Marines not suffered enough, lost enough? What is so upsetting about a memorial to honor the fallen?

Perhaps those who oppose it should ignore its existence as they ignore God’s existence.