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Yasmin Adi Mr. Hackney English 101: Rhetoric 22 November 2013 America: Home of the Not so Free Hamza Yusuf, co-founder of Zaytuna College, has fallen victim to a controversial issue that has arisen in his article Federal Law, at Least, Is on Our Side stating, My friend, Cheikhna bin Mahfudh, was about to fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco recently and needed a quiet spot for his noontime Muslim prayer. Fortunately, his business class ticket gave him access to an exclusive airport lounge. Just when he was about done praying, which can look like yoga to the uninitiated, an employee came up to him and said, Sir, it is not permissible to pray here! He replied: I was just exercising. Is that a problem? The bemused man then said: Oh, sorry. I thought you were praying. Yusufs friend faced a provoking of his religious rights. Now the issue stands at the thought of Americas religious freedom being under threat. On the one hand, some may concede America is beginning to hinder others from their freedom. On the other hand, others believe America is passing more religion accepting laws, such as gay marriage and abortion. Though I understand Americans are aware of the threats that may come with different religious practices, I still believe that no matter how scared Americans become, removing their freedom of religion should not be targeted as a resolution to the problem. While some may say that freedom of religion is becoming stronger in America, I say it is being threated and it may no longer exist in the future due to the ignorance of Americans. Conventional wisdom has it that America is beginning to allow more leeway towards religion. Noah Feldman, professor of law at Harvard University, states in his article As

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American as Religious Persecution, that the United States is doing great and has been since the 1700s, well before we even had the First Amendment. What Feldman really means is that the United States has been doing great regarding religious freedom even before the constitution was applied. We are only beginning to notice the negatives of religious freedom throughout the United States instead of appreciating what freedoms we already have. Another opinion brought to focus by Helen Alvar, an associate professor of law at George Mason University, is that nonmarital births and abortions have skyrocketed since the onset of huge federal contraception programs. In other words, Alvar believes that society has permitted more flexibility of religious norms. Religion is beginning to overpower the public opinion from authoritarian to a laidback attitude, meaning society has become more accepting over time. Religion is something that always tends to be discussed in private or non-discussable at all (for instance schools). This, however, should not prevent the citizens of the United States from practicing their beliefs in public. In the first amendment of the constitution, it clearly states that we have the freedom of religion. Michael McConnell, a former federal appeals court judge, emphasizes in his article that initially this nation was founded on the principle of freedom of religion the right of individuals, families, churches and voluntary religious associations of all sorts to live their lives in accordance with their own understanding of Gods will. Basically McConnell is saying America was birthed as a country with freedom of religion; with the freedom to live their lives guided by their faith. Yusuf states that when it comes to religious freedom, the law of our land is strong, but reality in American life should give us pause. I agree that our country was established as being intentionally free, a point that need emphasizing since so many people believe religion can be carelessly treated. I believe citizens should understand why religion is such an important aspect of others lives and should respect their views.

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When people hear the words religious discrimination, they might think of comparing it to cruelty, judgment, and disrespect. If church supporters hear religion in America is soon to be gone, they may take offense. Michael W. McConnell emphasizes that it is not enough that the law has changed to permit what once was forbidden birth control, abortion, same-sex marriage and the like, meaning the law may have changed, but it still will not change the religious views of people who are religiously against these actions. Although not all Christians think alike, some may have a disagreeing view point on the thought that same sex marriages would be seen as an acceptable thing and eventually turn into a norm. In one example a wedding photographer was fined for refusing to film a lesbian ceremony (McConnell). On that note, it may be better for others not to be exposed to a religiously mixed society. Some also believe this strict protection of religion is best kept at home for safer reasons, such as, other disputes erupting due to different religious beliefs. The problem left to face is when real life interactions must take place with people of different religious views. Knowing everyone has a different viewpoint on religion, it is a big part of who they are, contributing to most of their lifestyle. Its true that there are many situations where people are discriminated on what they believe in, sometimes even preventing them from everyday connections since they are different. Taking in this issue, learning to respect others differences is more beneficial than avoiding them altogether. According to Alvar, perhaps we dont understand the relationship between religious freedom and our peaceful, generous society, as we only focus on the freedoms our society does not offer. While some countries are being ruled under an anarchy, we are blind to realize that we are living in a country where we have so many privileges. As Alvar puts it no matter the reason, the current pressure on religious freedom should cease. We have adapted to a civilization based on a religious tolerant

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government, so asking for a sudden, drastic change will do us no good; instead coping with the society we thrive in is the best solution we can offer. People want to express themselves freely to make the most sensible way of life. Learning the keen basics of respect can help our humanity progress as a whole, rather than being ignorant and not understanding people. Cooperating with people of different religious backgrounds provides a more peaceful understanding on where people come to believe what they do. Keeping religion hidden away will not solve the problem of misapprehension brought with the mix of a large group of people. An interreligious country can be the simplest way to expose Americans to learning the essentials of a religion heavy society, preparing us to move forward to making newer discoveries. So next time, be sure to think of where the individual is coming from before making a judgment too quickly.

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Works Cited Alvar, Helen M. "Human Rights vs. Religious Freedom?" Room for Debate. The New York Times, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Feldman, Noah. "As American as Religious Persecution." Room for Debate. The New York Times, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. McConnell, Michael W. "Falling Short of Our Ideals." Room for Debate. New York Times, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Yusuf, Hamza. "Federal Law, at Least, Is on Our Side." Room for Debate. New York Times, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.