Freedom From Religion

Perhaps it has become trendy for the media to report on Muslim demands that society accomodate their religious practices, or perhaps these demands are truly on the rise. In either case, some thoughts on the limits of "freedom of religion" are in order.

The Constitution prohibits the creation of a state religion - the government may not tell us where or when or how or what to worship. That prohibition has been expanded to also prohibit government interference with religion and government support of religion. Thus every December some atheist brings suit against some municipality that has foolishly erected a creche on public land. It has also driven the criticism of the Bush Administration support for "faith-based initiatives."

Yet all these concerns seemingly disappear if the faith in question is Islam:

Muslim cabbies in Minneapolis want to be free to deny transport passengers carrying alcohol.
That is discrimination based on religion and a clear violation of federal law. Pretend the cabbies were white Christians who did not want to transport non-whites.

If the cabbie doesn't want to offend his religious principles, let him find another job. The government should not let him impose his PREJUDICES on others, particularly when it vigorously prevents from others from imposing their prejudices.

Muslim students and workers are pressing for foot washing stations so they may wash their feet before they pray. If that is part of their religion, well and good. But let them pay for it.

There is the crucial limit to the "freedom of religion." One may worship as one pleases, but one may not require the rest of us to subsidize it. Imagine the outcry if a Baptist church demanded use of a public swimming pool for baptisms. (To tell the truth, if they wanted to pay a reasonable rental fee, we would not be offended.)

Clearly being a Muslim should not make one a second-class citizen. Neither should it entitle one to special rights, privileges or treatment not available to non-Muslims.