Religious Freedom?

While recovering from the flu, I read an online article since I was too tired to actually sit and read a book or The Economist. The title of the article is “Evangelicals Divided as Sharia Courts Expand in the Philippines,” and you can read it in Christianity Today if you are interested. Here is the link.

According to the article, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created new Sharia judicial districts and 12 courts across the country. Apparently, some Christians in the country are concerned about “the beginning of a subtle and gradual increase of Islamic influence that would affect all Filipinos, including Christians.” One of the Christians concerned about the new law is a megachurch pastor. Maybe the pastor is concerned about his bottom line and not so much about the Great Commission, as he stated in the article.

I did a quick search and found that 85.3% of the population in the Philippines is affiliated with Christianity (78% Catholicism—no surprise there, since Spain ruled there for a while—and 6.5% Christian, so probably evangelicals), 6.4% Islam, and 8.2% other or none.1

I like what an evangelical theologian said in the article:

“Lakan Sumulong, an evangelical theologian and founder of the Mennonite-supported Peace Builders Community, believes some evangelicals’ concern about the expansion of Sharia courts is driven by ‘ignorance, prejudice, discriminatory attitude, [and] Islamophobia.’ …’I lived among them,’ he said, ‘I understand how Sharia is implemented.’ Sharia codifies Islamic laws in the areas of marriage, divorce, and inheritance and only applies in cases when both spouses are Muslims. It operates under the Philippines’ judiciary system, and its courts do not handle criminal cases. ‘Because we Christians are in the majority, like in America … our religiosity has an imperialist nature,’ Sumulong said. ‘When it comes to minorities like Muslims here in the Philippines, it’s as if we don’t care about their rights.’”

This theologian hit the nail on the head.

Christians are always saying that we need to protect religious freedoms, especially in the U.S., but whose freedoms?

Then you read headlines like this one, “Texas Approves New Bible-Based Curriculum for Elementary Schools,”2 and when you read the article, it says that “Teachers will have a choice to opt into the new faith-based learning curriculum, but the state is offering a financial incentive of $60 per student for participating school districts.”

No wonder we have so many disputes among the different faiths. What happened to free will and Freedom of religion?

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines ↩︎
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/texas-approves-bible-based-curriculum-elementary-schools ↩︎

54 thoughts on “Religious Freedom?”

    1. I can’t deny the permissiveness of many countries in allowing the atrocities occurring to the Palestinian people. There has got to be a concerted plan to establish two states so the Palestinians can have their own country and permanent peace in that area of the Middle East. But they also need to push back against Hamas and Hezbollah, which are creating more problems than actual solutions.

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  3. Wonderful and Inspiring Post Brother. This could serve as a reminder to approach religious differences with understanding, rather than fear or prejudice.

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  4. Hi Edward, you make a good point here but the predominately Islamic countries don’t allow churches and make concessions for Christianity so it goes both ways (or more, given all the other religions). Based on previous behaviours, everyone fears religious overwhelm and domination.

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    1. You’re absolutely, Robbie. Sadly, wars have been fought, and many lives lost over the centuries, trying to change the dynamics of some of those countries. There is not much that can be done, and it’s really up to the people in those countries to choose which path to take.

      I think the key for countries that have religious freedom is to protect those freedoms so we don’t become like the countries you mentioned. We want people to practice their religion or belief of choice without being forced into a particular one.

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  5. This is an interesting topic Edward. I’m a strong advocate for religious freedom. I came from a staunchly fundamentalist Christian family, but Ma would always encourage discourse, tolerance, acceptance and love.
    I fear this prejudice that masks itself in language about protecting one religion, or declaring the this is a christian nation. It’s one step away from a theocracy and legalized intolerance. Unfortunately so many of us don’t think above the rhetoric.
    Scary scenario if certain things are implemented.

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    1. You’re right, Nigel. The whole narrative is really about promoting one religion, mostly the conservative side of Protestantism, which is very dangerous. The good thing is that Protestantism doesn’t agree on many things, so I don’t think they are going to succeed. The key is to push back and keep protecting our freedom to practice the religion, faith, or belief of our choice. Thank you, my friend, and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  7. “What happened to free will and Freedom of religion?” Fantastic question!!
    Along with Texas, we have Oklahoma’s frightening requirements to watch a video announcing a new “religious freedom” department that’s using Trump’s bibles. … Ryan Walters, “Oklahoma’s education superintendent has sent an email to public school superintendents requiring them to show students his video announcement of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism within the state Department of Education.” … “he has purchased more than 500 Bibles to be used in Advanced Placement government classes. A statement from the education department said the 500 Bibles are “God Bless the USA Bibles,” were ordered Thursday for about $25,000 and will arrive “in the coming weeks.” “Walters, a former public school teacher elected in 2022, ran on a platform of fighting “woke ideology,” banning books from school libraries and getting rid of “radical leftists” who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms.”
    https://apnews.com/article/religious-patriotism-students-required-oklahoma-e00fdcd3253cc11169cc6857d8e8e9de

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    1. Wow. This is incredible. Thank you for the comment and the link. Unbelievable. He probably violated a few laws by purchasing those Bibles. He already has a couple of lawsuits against him, so this is definitely going to add a few more for sure.

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  9. The separation of church and state was easier to maintain before the culture war between liberals and conservatives. Every time conservatives try to breach the wall between church and state, it is to push back against liberal ideas. If conservatives had a solid majority instead of a jerrymandered minority rule, they wouldn’t be so desperate. Conservatives push things like the pledge of allegiance in schools and prayer in schools when they are afraid of something, usually communism or feminism.

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    1. Yeah, maybe, but I doubt it. Some of them are always pushing back on something, no matter what it is. I’m 100% sure conservatives will push back if this country turns into a theocracy or something similar. Using the Christian faith as a basis is the wrong approach. Christians don’t even agree on topics like baptism and tithing. To me, they don’t know what they’re asking for and are just following talking points from a few inept politicians, who in turn are following talking points from inept religious leaders seeking more power and money. Just my 2 cents.

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      1. I don’t think conservatives realize how many of their demands are mutually exclusive; even with such complete control over our government, they aren’t going to get most of what they want. If they thought having liberals telling them “no” was frustrating, wait until they have to say it to each other.

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  10. Right on point, Edward! For as long as fractions, religious or others, defend only their “rights,” freedom is a mirage. True freedom is inclusive and compassionate, irrespective of personal preferences. When will humans realize that belonging to one religion doesn’t make other people their enemies? At that point, peace becomes a reality! Thanks for bringing awareness to this delicate topic! Very important at this time. Sending you light and blessings; I hope you get better soon*

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    1. Oh, my friend, you’re absolutely right that belonging to one religion doesn’t make others our enemies. We should love and respect one another and pursue peace passionately. Thank you, Susana, for your kind wishes.

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    1. Much better, Wynne, and I should have gotten my flu vaccine back in September or October, but it is what it is. I’ll get it this weekend, along with a COVID booster, just in case. Happy Thanksgiving to you too! It’s coming fast, and the new year is just around the corner.

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    1. It was very interesting to read the article and learn the reason behind the new law. Some Muslims needed to travel long distances to resolve disputes, so by creating new courts, the president alleviated some of their difficulties. I really appreciated the observation from Christians on the ground who saw this as a good thing. Religious freedom is a beautiful thing, and like you, I hope it continues in the U.S. Thank you for your comment, my friend.

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  13. Interesting scenario in Texas that seems in conflict with separation of church and state. Though I suppose it depends on how the material is presented. How will the curriculum be taught if teachers opt out? Thank you for sharing and sorry to read you had the flu. 🌼

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    1. Yeah, it got me pretty good. I was down for a couple of days. I know that what they’re doing is playing politics to please constituents who, for some reason, want to return to the old days when the church dictated people’s lives. It’s amazing because the Europeans who came to this country were escaping that kind of life. Among other things of course.

      Teachers already have enough on their hands, trying to educate kids at different learning levels, some of whom don’t speak English as their first language, while receiving less-than-stellar salaries. Now, they’re being dragged into this political game. It doesn’t make sense, but I know that if forced to do it, teachers will do their best to meet the requirements.

      But like you said, there’s a conflict with the separation of church and state, and this initiative will eventually die somewhere along the way to the Supreme Court. At least, I hope so. 🤞🏼

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        1. Thank you, Michele. It would be nice if, for once, politicians asked teachers what is really needed in the classroom. I’m sure the educational system would be much better. But then again, we have politicians telling doctors how to treat patients, so what else can we expect?

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  16. Good assertion of what I’ve been complaining about for years. Thanks for brining stats to my gut hunches. I’m sorry you’ve been sick Edward and glad you’re on the mend. Laughing though at your light reading… that’s what I love about you💓

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. I’m feeling much better now. I had planned to get my flu shot this week, but the flu got me first. 😆 And yeah, my light reading… I just can’t help it, especially when it’s about a topic of interest.

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      1. You’re welcome and I’m so glad to hear that. It’s a toss up… they never can predict the outcome with the different strains so you could have gotten it anyway IMHO. Of course you can’t… I would expect nothing less.. xo 💓

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