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Religious Freedom
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Growing up as an agnostic, John did not give religious matters too much thought. Nor did he assess his actions against any kind of religious teachings or moral codes. If something seemed advantageous in the moment and the risk was not too great, it was worthwhile.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
You’ve probably never heard of Cyrus the Great, but if you admire and enjoy freedom of religion, freedom from slavery, and a country that includes people of all different faiths, races and cultures, you may owe him your thanks.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Was Jonestown one of the worst massacres of innocent American men, women and children in history? What purpose could the deaths of so many people have served? Could an external force have been responsible? If so, who might it have been?
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Dr. Mootoo did not waver in his assessment of what had happened: the vast majority of Jonestown residents were victims of murder, not suicide. The bodies he examined had not died by drinking fruit punch, poisoned or otherwise. Death, he said, came via hypodermic injections.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The decision is a victory for the rights of religious groups to uphold standards for membership based on their own religious beliefs and to be free to resolve purely ecclesiastical matters for themselves.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
In November 1988, the Chicago Tribune featured his comments in an article by Bruce Buursma. Holsinger, Buursma wrote, “has doggedly insisted that a ‘disinformation’ campaign was launched by the U.S. government to conceal the truth about Jonestown.”
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Religion has been attacked and even its symbols are being aggressively removed from our society. School prayer, the Ten Commandments, even crosses at military cemeteries have been targeted and eliminated.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Just as scientists don’t rely on the blessings of priests to practice their disciplines, priests do not need the approval of science for their continued right to exist and to provide for the spiritual needs of their parishioners.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Too often, man has seen rebellion as simply the opportunity to “do unto others as you believe they have done unto you.” Such rebellion strikes the wrong target. The real enemy is not other men.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
I’m grateful to the contribution Luther made to religious freedom, which helped make it possible for Scientology to be practiced freely throughout the world.
