January 16 is Religious Freedom Day
Thursday January 15, 2009
Outgoing president George W. Bush has issued a proclamation declaring January 16 to be National Religious Freedom Day, in honor of the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. The proclamation says, in part, that "Religious Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate our legacy of religious liberty, foster a culture of tolerance and peace, and renew commitments to ensure that every person on Earth can enjoy these basic human rights." It also calls upon Americans to celebrate with "appropriate events and activities."
I'd like to think an appropriate event or activity is maybe something that involves being understanding of people whose beliefs are different than ours. For some people, maybe it's the perfect time to come out of the broom closet. Maybe it's the day you'll wear your pentacle to work, and when someone asks you about it, you can take it as the opportunity to educate them, to show them that what really counts is what's on the inside, and not the religious trappings on the exterior.
I'd like to think an appropriate event or activity is maybe something that involves being understanding of people whose beliefs are different than ours. For some people, maybe it's the perfect time to come out of the broom closet. Maybe it's the day you'll wear your pentacle to work, and when someone asks you about it, you can take it as the opportunity to educate them, to show them that what really counts is what's on the inside, and not the religious trappings on the exterior.
Comments
Sorry, but that’s a real laugh. I don’t care what day Bush says it is, I never thought it was a good idea to go flashing a pentacle around the office.
Despite what we would LIKE the world to be, in this economy, it’s better to not stir the pot about religion at work and just do your job.
Wow, my last comment sounded incredibly harsh when I read it a second time.
What I mean is that not everyone will be as tolerant as we would like them to be, and showing off a pentacle at work can get you fired, even though they can say you’re getting fired for something else entirely.
LOL == nah, I knew what you meant.
Personally, I’m hoping they’ll have a Religious Freedom Day Shoe Sale.
patti
I am so grateful I work somewhere that I CAN wear my pentacle. I don’t think I could have done that at my previous job, with a bank. That must have something to do with all that money saying “In God We Trust”
Do does this mean there is no more Pagan Pride day – I think in September.
I’ve never had an issue with wearing a pentacle at work. I mean, I have a wolf paw with a purple pentacle tattoo on my arm. Mind you, I guess being Canadian probably has something to do with it too. I always explain to my bosses that I am Wiccan, and I have a few holidays that I request off. Samhain and Yule being my two big ones. I did have an awesome boss once that actually tried to get me every holiday off AND every full moon. I declined, I take my religion seriously, but I’d rather work and get the hours. Sadly, I had to leave because of medical reasons *sniff*.
It’s odd, I’ve never heard of anyone losing a job here due to religious disagreements. I’ve had co-workers trying to convert me, but every boss I’ve had has been interested, and a good few of them actually did research on the subject. I’m always shocked when I hear things in the states and how bad it can get down there. I mean… it just seems strange to me.
BTW, I’m not speaking for ALL of Canada, I live in a small city in Northern Alberta. Still, the concept just seems really odd.
I think this “religious freedom” day is simply a smokescreen for letting the ultra christian fundamentalists scream about everyone else while claiming they have the “right” to speak their minds. But we’ll see. I hope many non-mainstream people take the opportunity to quietly advertise their allegiances. I will wear my pentacle to Karaoke.
What I greatly take exception to is how the term “tolerance” is bandied about when speaking of other peoples’ religions and lifestyles. Properly used the word means an ability to withstand or fight off drugs, poisons, or something trying to destroy! I know that PC (not personal computers) usage has corrupted it to make everyone think it means acceptance and openmindedness but it doesn’t! Think of how you have used it with your wayward children or cheating spouse. Very different meaning and mind-set, isn’t it? Perhaps we should try actual acceptance!
P.S. Shouldn’t every day be “Religious Freedom Day” here? Kinda thought that was what the whole deal was about anyway….
I think it’s a nice idea. Whether it will really live up to its name, I don’t know but it’s a nice goal. As for every day being Religious Freedom Day, I think it might be sort of like Thanksgiving; you’re supposed to be thankful every day but having an official day for makes more people actually Think about it. And thinking is a good thing, right?
OK this is the third time I will try to leave this comment so if the issue is my lousy computer and I have now triple posted please feel free to remove the first 2, Patti! lol
I looked into this a bit more and found out it has been an ongoing thing for a while. Apparently each year the pres signs this thing about the 16th? Wonder why they don’t just do a once and for all thing. Perhaps I just haven’t run across the reason yet. Here is the main page – http://religiousfreedomday.com/ Also there have been some other folks doing something similar on the 3rd Sunday every January since the 50s – http://www.bahai.us/world-religion-day Let’s hope this feeling is contagious and incurable! lol And yes Chrissy good point though I generally get in MORE trouble when I think. lol
I didnt realize we had to have a “day” dedicated to religion. I thought we had freedom of religion and we could express it when we would like. God wouldnt want one day just to him, it should be any and everyday that we wil.