Freedom is Free Will

The Washington Post has an article up showing that 49% of Americans have a generally unfavorable view of Islam. And nearly 67% of Americans oppose the construction of the Islamic Center near the reconstruction site of the World Trade Center because of its proximity to the site of the 2001 terrorist attack.

Like many Americans, I have negative views of Islam. I see a religion that abuses humanity in the name of Allah: women are oppressed; gays are executed; children are abused. Certainly this is not true for all who practice Islam, but because it is so prevalently displayed, my eyes often see the oppression, hatred and violence of the religion.

But, the same can be said of my views of Christianity and Judaism as well.

Painting with the same broad strokes as many Americans, I can say that religion is oppressive. It is ugly. And in my view it has corrupted the name of God… Allah… Yahweh.

Regardless, I still hold firm in my belief that everyone must be free to practice their religion. This is true even if they preach fear and loathing.

My belief in this freedom is instructed by my belief in free will. I believe that as long as you do no harm to me then do as you wish. Your soul is your business and is between you and your God.

Each of us has free will and we all have the ability to seek a life free from fear and pursue a life full of love. For those who are oppressed or endangered by their religions, my heart aches, for I wish I could help each and every person see the light or at least find freedom from what I view as an oppressed life.

But I cannot exercise my free will in an attempt to take away theirs.

I have faith and I hope that religious people will eventually see the truth in love.

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