by Ramona Free

Created on: March 09, 2009

America has always praised it self on being the land of the free and the Brave. The land where freedom of speech is the birth right of every citizen regardless of their age, race, religion, financial background or political affiliation. How ironic it is that what is said, printed in words, and advertised on television shows is so far from reality. Overall it is true that everyone agrees that they should have the right to their own religion. The fact of the matter is this statement is only true when it comes to their religion. We live in a very self centered society in which it is ok to have freedom of religion, as long as that religion is mine. Because my religion is the only one that is the true religion. This is the true reflection of the way most Americans and many other countries of the world really feel. The saddest thing is that they will deny this blatant fact even within the privacy of their own home. Many will deny this even within the privacy of their own mind.

You may be a part of a small minority group in America in which you do not make a conscious decision to be apart of a religious organization. You may even consider your self an athiest. This does not matter when we live in a society that has been designed in which the majority of the people prescribe to a certain religious dogma. If you are not a part of the prescribed concept, than you are a part of the out cast minority. This is the true reality of the land of the free and the brave. The home of freedom of speech and religion. If you are not plugged into what the vast majority considers the only true righteous religion; than you will suffer a on slaught of discriminiations. You will be denied one of the most basic rights a human being deserves, and that is the right to choose who you love. Millions of gay and lesbian people are denied the right to marry the one they love, simply because, in their religion, it is not a sin to love some one of the same gender. People have been denied jobs or lost jobs due to exercising the freedom of their religion or the freedom of not having one. This society breeds hipocrites. It is easier to put on a mask then to be real and endure the agony of being a outcast. However; there are people starting to wake up and are willing to fight to keep the true American dream alive. This is the true courage of the American Spirit. Having the enduring will and bravery to stand up for what you believe is right. Keeping your head up high even when the vast majority are against you. It is these courageous people, that have allowed the people who do not practice in any organized religion, the ability to still live here and still have a sense of pride.

There are some countries in which you would be assasinated if you are not apart of the organized prescribed religion. Some countries in which your whole family would be ostracized and in some cases thrown in to prison. The majority of the people on this planet live in societies that if you don't choose their religion, you have made a mistake. Even if you have not chosen any religion at all, you still are part of the outcast that is not plugged in to their dogma. We can make a change on how we treat non-religious people, but only if we wake up and smell the coffee. They have been ostracized by the religious-political set up of this country. Once we accept the unfairness of these conditions, we can begin to heal from our own denial. We can be come the true land of the free and the brave. The land that truly supports freedom of religion.

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