First Amendment

Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. This is actually the first statement of the First Amendment, which promises freedom of religion, press, assembly and petition. We cannot miss the significance of this opening principle of what we know as the Bill of Rights. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. These words provide the cornerstone, the foundation, of the definition of being a free people.

Contemporary culture and even government on local, state and national levels seem to come close to neglecting the phrase, “the free exercise thereof.” Oftentimes free citizens are asked or even commanded not to use words such as Jesus Christ. Free, Christian-based institutions are in danger of being forced to follow the dictates of government policy that directly cut across their Christian values. Yet the U.S. Constitution speaks of religious freedom with these words, “the free exercise thereof.” I must ask, whatever happened to the free exercise thereof?

Baptists were influential and instrumental in securing the principle of religious liberty. We must provide contemporary and resolute leadership for preserving and maintaining religious freedom.

Ray Stonecypher
Ardmore, Ala.