SOCI 2001 week 3 Assignment Essay
Understanding human differences: Multicultural education for a diverse America
The delegates that wrote the constitution wanted to make sure there was no affiliation of religion associated with their law making. There were states that demanded that the office holders be Christian only. Maryland was the only state that allowed Jews to vote and hold office so they stood alone on this debate. There was no separation between church and state as of yet and this is where the delegates stepped in. SOCI 2001 week 3 Assignment Essay
“As they wrote the constitution, the authors affirmed the principles of religious freedom by stating, “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States”. When, completed, this was the only reference to religion, and it was not widely supported. At the debate over ratifying the constitution in North Carolina, a minister protested that Article VI was an invitation for jews and pagans of every kind to come among us” (Koppel man, 2014, p.140). Due to these thoughts they decided to leave the choice up to each separate state. They were overall afraid to have office holders have religions and beliefs different from their own. SOCI 2001 week 3 Assignment Essay
I feel that the concept of religious freedom in America is real but is also just an idea. If you think about it there are people stopping marriage and telling women not to take their contraceptives. There are protestors telling women that they are not allowed to have rights and cannot decide between keeping or aborting their fetus. We allow capital punishment, why is abortion frowned upon?
It is very important to maintain a separation between church and state because one specific religion cannot determine the fate of an entire country. In order to maintain order we have to allow for a diverse society. Mutual respect allows for an open forum for exchanging ideas. SOCI 2001 week 3 Assignment Essay
The concept of religious freedom is relevant to contemporary society because we live in such a diverse country that we need to be open and respectful of others religious beliefs. We cannot be so narrow minded and ignorant to other cultures. The United states is a melting pot and in order to have mutual respect there needs to be a basic understanding of each other. “The first amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. –Justice Hugo Black” (Koppel man, 2014, p. 152).
References
Koppel man, K. L. (2014). Understanding human differences: Multicultural education for a diverse America (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.SOCI 2001 week 3 Assignment Essay