http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/pdf/SOFA2008survey.pdf [PDF LINK] 42 percent of Americans disagree with the proposition: 54 percent disagree with the proposition: There are other shockers in there (including a startling number who believe there is not enough religious freedom in this country and that the news should be required to broadcast a certain amount of positive news) but those two stood out the most in terms of blatant disrespect for the First Amendment.
Well, if we're going by the Bill of Rights, folks should have the right to voice their views of both religious and ethnic groups, even if we find those opinions loathsome. As much as we hate groups like the KKK, they do have a right to exist, and are part of what makes us a free country. It's when they cross the line and turn those thoughts and beliefs into violent actions that they need to be dealt with. As for the other things you mentioned (not enough religious freedom and the "happy" news bit), that is, indeed, disturbing. More disturbing to me, however, are these two: "The nations founders intended the United States to be a Christian nation" Agree 63% Disagree 33% "The U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation" Agree 55% Disagree 39% Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...as long as they look and think like me. Yikes.
There are mostly christians in America, true..... however should our government reflect their beliefs? Absolutely not! Do people hate freedom in America? or do they have a misunderstanding about it because they take it for granted? Personally if these are "God given rights" then is why is America so great for giving me what most of people in America believe we are entitled to. As for Christians, my father was a christian whose religion prohibited him from fighting in war during Vietnam..... he proved it was against his religion, probably to a christian court and guess where he ended up?.....IN prison! To this day this American "christian" government has yet to apologize for that and other christian denominations have yet to condemn it either. So when you talk about government and religion be forewarned that people always push their religion but hate when you expect them to live up to it.....IMO.
There are any number of poll questions you could use in a survey where a high percentage of people would answer incorrectly. No surprise. Some people believe the Earth is flat. Others believe nobody ever landed on the moon. Some think Elvis is still alive. A few still believe Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11.
Incorrectly? With the exception of the first question, I believe all the survey questions ask for opinions about the first amendment. If these numbers get extreme enough, it may be said that the Bill of Rights no longer fits the will of the people (and should be jettisoned), but I don't see how anyone is incorrect for not agreeing with the protections of the Bill of Rights. Maybe dumb or petty or selfish or hateful or self-serving, but not incorrect.
I believe people should be free to follow my idea of freedom. If their idea of freedom is different than mine, then **** them.
