Interfaith Center at the Presidio
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Archive
  • Chapel Restoration Campaign
    • Interfaith
    • Military Service
    • McDonald Windows
    • Preservation
    • Plan
    • Support
  • Events and Programs
  • Veterans
  • Concerts
  • SF Bay Area Interfaith
    • Interfaith Councils and Coalitions
    • Public Service Announcements
    • Inspiration and Hope
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Contact

Celebrating (Religious) Freedom

7/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Fourth of July is a day in the United States for celebrating the freedoms we enjoy, not the least of which is freedom of religion. The US is frequently noted not only for the diversity of the religious practice of its citizens, but for the importance those citizens give to their faith and practice. Without an established national religion, people are challenged to choose for themselves what tradition they will practice (or not).


The picture is not so good in other parts of the world. The International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 released recently by the US Department of State, an annual report on the state of religious freedom around the globe, finds that governments limit and harass religious groups within their borders. Anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish statements and actions are increasing, and the report notes a correlation between religious repression and social unrest:


“Governments that repress freedom of religion and freedom of expression typically create a climate of intolerance and impunity that emboldens those who foment hatred and violence within society. Government policy that denies citizens the freedom to discuss, debate, practice, and pass on their faith as they see fit also undercuts society’s ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremists propagate.”


As we celebrate our freedoms this Fourth, let’s be thankful for the religious freedoms we enjoy, and commit ourselves using that freedom for the benefit of all.

0 Comments

    Newsletter

    This is the archive for the Bay Area Interfaith Connect, the former newsletter  for the Interfaith Center at the Presidio .

    Archives

    December 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    August 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

130 Fisher Loop
San Francisco, CA 94129

Like our page on Facebook! 
Click here! 

Picture

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Archive
  • Chapel Restoration Campaign
    • Interfaith
    • Military Service
    • McDonald Windows
    • Preservation
    • Plan
    • Support
  • Events and Programs
  • Veterans
  • Concerts
  • SF Bay Area Interfaith
    • Interfaith Councils and Coalitions
    • Public Service Announcements
    • Inspiration and Hope
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Contact