Religious scholars generally agree that writing a single definition of the word religion is difficult or even impossible, because all people examine religion with some kind of critical eye, and the term is therefore fraught with ideological consequences for anyone who might want to construct a universal definition. Talal Asad writes that "there cannot be a universal definition of religion ... because that definition is itself the historical product of discursive processes"[6]; Thomas A. Tweed, while defending the idea of religion in general, writes that "it would be foolish to set up an abstract definition of religion's essence, and then proceed to defend that definition from all comers."[7]
Everyone has a way of framing experience and existence, everyone has a view of the world. Some see themselves as products of random chance through evolution, others are unsure, while others believe, just as they themselves have creative intelligence and create things, humanity was similarly created.
One's lifestyle, thoughts, opinions and actions are inextricably tied to the value system and world view each inherits from family, culture and academics. It's only the rare individual who exercises his ethical intellect and conducts a thoughtful and energetic comparison of the various world views available and bases his position on something besides the involuntary inculcation of mores instilled by the inexorable osmosis of the societal "norm."
Below are various definitions of religion from encyclopedias and dictionaries:
- A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe
- A moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
- A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a plurality
- Socialism, Evolutionary and political movements such as the Democratic, Libertarian and Republican parties, are also religions in form and function.
- 1. A body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. 2. The life or state of a monk, nun, etc. 3. The practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith. 4. Something one believes in and follows devotedly. 4. A point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
One could say that every act and opinion is religious by the above definitions and therefore it would be impossible to allow free speech but stipulate this free speech be absent of religion. World views, i.e. religion, are inseparable from free speech.
So if someone were the head of a publication that called for personal thoughts about pain in life but somehow expected all replies to be absent any religious content, it would place an unnecessary and illegal burden on those being asked to post, especially if that person believed Christ was the answer to every deep and lasting question.
Wherever life and truth are discussed - Jesus is ALWAYS appropriate and explicitly legal. Many men died that no tiny tyrant could censor Jesus wherever free speech abides.
2. United States Government Legal Definition
from the United States Government Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Website
Section 12 - Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
Summary: Religious Discrimination – Religion is defined in the broadest sense and includes all aspects of religious observance, practice or belief. An employer must reasonably accommodate the religious observances or practices of their employees and applicants unless the employer can demonstrate that the religious accommodation will create an undue hardship on conducting business. Co-worker complaints, general disgruntlement, resentment, or jealousy of co-workers is unsufficient to show undue hardship.
Overview: Religion is very broadly defined under Title VII. Religious beliefs, practices, and observances include those that are theistic[18] in nature, as well as non-theistic “moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.” Religious beliefs can include unique views held by a few or even one individual; however, mere personal preferences are not religious beliefs. Title VII requires employers to accommodate religious beliefs, practices, and observances if the beliefs are “sincerely held” and the reasonable accommodation poses no undue hardship on the employer.
Charges involving religious expression may present claims not only of disparate treatment, but also of harassment and/or denial of reasonable accommodation. Investigation of claims of harassment and denial of reasonable accommodation are addressed respectively in §§ III and IV of this document. As discussed in greater detail in those sections, Title VII requires employers to accommodate expression that is based on a sincerely held religious practice or belief, unless it threatens to constitute harassment or otherwise poses an undue hardship on the conduct of the business. Thus, for example, an employer can restrict religious expression where it would cause customers or co-workers reasonably to perceive the materials to express the employer’s own message, or where the item or message in question is harassing or otherwise disruptive.[66] For further discussion of how to analyze when accommodation of religious expression would pose an undue hardship, refer to the sections on Harassment at § III-C and Accommodation at § IV-C-6.
Religious beliefs include theistic beliefs as well as non-theistic “moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views.”[25] Although courts generally resolve doubts about particular beliefs in favor of finding that they are religious,[26] beliefs are not protected merely because they are strongly held. Rather, religion typically concerns “ultimate ideas” about “life, purpose, and death.”[27] Social, political, or economic philosophies, as well as mere personal preferences, are not “religious” beliefs protected by Title VII.[28]
Religious observances or practices include, for example, attending worship services, praying, wearing religious garb or symbols, displaying religious objects, adhering to certain dietary rules, proselytizing or other forms of religious expression, or refraining from certain activities. Determining whether a practice is religious turns not on the nature of the activity, but on the employee’s motivation. The same practice might be engaged in by one person for religious reasons and by another person for purely secular reasons.
EEOC Section 12 Title IV Subsection B (4)
4. Co-worker Complaints
Although infringing on co-workers’ ability to perform their duties[161] or subjecting co-workers to a hostile work environment will generally constitute undue hardship,the general disgruntlement, resentment, or jealousy of co-workers will not Undue hardship requires more than proof that some co-workers complained; a showing of undue hardship based on co-worker interests generally requires evidence that the accommodation would actually infringe on the rights of co-workers or cause disruption of work. See also §§ III-C and IV-C-6 (discussing specifically complaints regarding proselytizing and other forms of religious expression), infra.
Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
John 21:17: "Do you love me Peter?" "Yes Lord." "Feed my lambs." "Do you love me Peter?" "Yes Lord." "Take care of sheep." "Do you truly love me Peter?" Peter was hurt. "Yes Lord, you know all things, you know I love you." "Then feed my sheep." [Abbreviated paraphrase]
John 14:12 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.
Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
John 12:47 For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
Preach the word in season and out of season by all possible means that some might be saved. (1Cor9:22; 2Tim4:2)
These words are light, life, truth, Spirit, God breathed, living and active and can save you if you pay attention to them as a light shining in a dark place: They are your life.(John1; 2Peter1:19; James 1:21; John 6:63; 2Tim3:16; Heb4:12; Deut 32:47)
Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Matthew 24:35 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Apostle Paul on Evangelism:
1 Corinthians 9 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
However, not everyone sees it this way.
The very foundations of this country were built on religious freedom and expression thereof. And now we live in such a time where the very bedrock of freedom is perverted into censure? Does not our pledge invoke the name of God? Our money? Do we not pray before each congress opens session? Does not a prayer to God precede the swearing in of the President?
Is it such a stigma to quote the words of Jesus? Are His words so destructive that it justifies removal from the public? Are God's children so sure themselves now that pseudo-intellectuals like Landers command public comment, but the Son of God does not? And even if you are of another faith -- do not the words of Jesus Christ have ample value -- at least as much as Anne Landers?
And if you are an atheist -- do the words of Love and Peace have to come from the non-believer? Is Jesus such an affront to their belief in non-belief?
A fair and good company should embrace all forms of religion, and all forms of communication that do not espouse hatred.
Let us not shy away from God because one lost sheep is terrified of the wolves -- words of Love and Peace drive away these fears.
