Freedom for a few...or for all?

Today we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence that occurred on July 4, 1776. As citizens of the United States we are thankful for the freedoms that we have in this country, although I think that we often take many of them for granted.

The 4th of July as it is often called is usually celebrated with parades, food, fairs, sports games, and fireworks. The fireworks are my favorite part of the holiday. I'll be going tonight to view a fireworks show and I hope it's good.

One of the freedoms that we often take for granted comes in the form of the First Amendment. It says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

As a small girl growing up in a Baptist church I remember that we often mentioned the freedom of religion that we have in the United States and prayed for people in other countries who don't have that same freedom. I remember discussing foreign countries that don't have this freedom and about the people who wished they lived in the USA for just that reason.

On this 4th of July, I am thankful for that freedom. This week I read an article that angered me. The article told of some Houston, Texas residents that were angered because they began finding Holy Korans on their doorsteps about two weeks ago. The Korans on the doorsteps did not anger me. The response of the recipients angered me.

The Korans have been distributed by The Book of Signs group. The group claims to have distributed 30,000 books to people. The foundation, which left the books on doormats or hanging from doorknobs, said in a note accompanying the Koran that "rather than judging Islam and Muslims by the actions of a few, we want our fellow citizens to judge us by the book that influences and guides the lives of over 1 billion Muslims.

The article reports that some people destroyed the book. One woman reports that she did not, but what she had to say is angering. "If we went into a Muslim country and left a Bible, we would be in prison and then decapitated a few years later," said Sue Ann Pieri.

Well, Ms. Pieri, this is not a Muslim country. We live in the United States of America. We are free to choose our own religion. Her statement shows her ignorance because distributing Bibles in a Muslim country has nothing to do with this Koran distribution. I wonder, what is the difference in the distribution of Korans than that of the Gideons leaving Bibles in hotel or hospital rooms or Jehovah's Witnesses going from door to door with pamphlets about their beliefs?

I really see no difference. We have freedom of religion here and I'm thankful.

Happy 4th of July!