I, myself, am a Christian. However, This article is not to offend those who practice other religions nor is it to talk about mine. It's to elaborate on the fact that in this country, it is a legally sanctioned right that we may practice whatever religion our hearts desire.
Taking into consideration the extreme measurements that certain countries such as China, Burma and North Korea take to ensure that their people practice only one religion, it is not hard to be appreciative of the freedom of religion that we have here in America. The thing is that we do not often think of other countries and the problems they face on a day to day basis. As a young woman who was born and raised in the United States, I find it impossible to imagine what it may feel like to have a government tell me what to believe in or what to instill my trust and faith in.
I live in a country where I can walk down the street and talk to my God without fear that I will be punished for doing so. I will not be prosecuted. I will not be tortured. I will not be forced to convert. I will not be exiled. I will not be maimed and put up for propaganda.
There are countries where all of the above happen daily and to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Congregations are denied building permits, people are slaughtered in, or exiled from the streets of their hometowns for religious expression. Yet for some reason, American residents and citizens still take this right for granted.
In China, only five religious groups are permitted registration. This means that if you aren't Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Catholic or Protestant, you cannot legally hold a religious service.
In Iran, Jews are attacked regularly by government organizations.
In Burma, citizenship was denied to over 800,000 people. It is legally required for citizens in Burma to disclose their religion.
In North Korea, if people are caught with Bibles, they are imprisoned, tortured or killed. Sometimes all three one after another.
I implore my fellow Americans to see that though we have religious freedom, many countries do not. I implore you to be grateful. I implore you to never take this country for granted. I implore you to keep those struggling communities in mind, and whether you pray or not, carry with you in your hearts the people who aren't as blessed or as fortunate as we are. Not many people like to talk about all of the negative things that happen around the world but it's important that we shine a light on the atrocities that tend to get swept under the rug. It's important that in countries like ours, where we are allowed a voice, that we use them to help those who cannot use theirs. Barack Obama said it best. "I will never forget that the only reason I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world." So if I have to be the first of the million to stand up for those who don't have religious freedom but deserve it, I will be, but I pray that many follow.
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