What is "the free exercise thereof?"

I'm reading this great book about the principles our founding fathers used when creating the Constitution of the United States called The 5000 Year Leap... it's an amazing book. I strongly recommend everyone get a copy. It's got me thinking...

The First Amendment of the Constitution starts with the following:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

What does the phrase "the free exercise thereof" really mean? Is it limited merely to worship or is it greater than that?

I'm asking because there is a growing pressure by the politicians and special interest groups today to abolish the citizen's "right of conscience."

This right means that a doctor, morally opposed to abortion, can choose not to provide for abortions because it conflicts with their conscience. Take that away and the doctor would be forced to comply, despite the fact that they may consider it a sin or an offense to their beliefs. It would be unlawful for them to live their faith.

Isn't that an infringement on the First Amendment? Doesn't "the free exercise thereof" protect our ability to live our faith? After all, it protects our ability to worship and religion is not limited to Sunday services. Religion, faith, is how we behave, the choices we make, the paths we choose to follow.

Worship does not end as you exit the church doors, it begins.

In my opinion, if you abolish a citizen's "right of conscience" you are infringing on the First Amendment and a believers ability to live their faith, to freely exercise their religion.

Unfortunately, I'm sure this will end up in the courts... the equivalent of playing social Russian roulette.

God help us... again.

Where's the Tolerance????

Miss California states she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and she's getting hammered by the pro-gay marriage media, especially someone called Perez Hilton.

Perez "Mr. Intolerant" Hilton
Seriously, we're looking to this guy
for social guidance?
Are you kidding me?

Where's the tolerance, Perez? Would you be okay with another judge publicly debasing and punishing another contestant if they said they were for gay marriage? You'd be all for it?

I doubt it. I ask again, extreme left wingers... where's the tolerance?

Isn't that what political correctness is all about? Aren't we supposed to tolerate those people with which we oppose?

Wouldn't penalizing someone for their political beliefs be bigotry and discrimination?

Where's the outrage? Where's the cry for the poor disenfranchised traditionalists?

Marriage, as we understand it and as we've been participating in it for 200 years in this country is based on the way God defined marriage in the Bible. You don't have to like it, but it's true.

It was in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments that God, and later Jesus, reiterated that marriage, as we understand it, was between a man and a woman.

Carrie Prejean, raised with this Biblical understanding, when asked HER OPINION about gay marriage, offers it and is punished for it.

Can you say "hypocrisy?"

And this is the person we should
look at as "intolerant?" Are
we suddenly in an
alternate universe????
Is Mr. Spock sporting a goatee?

So, this is where we're heading, huh? Instead of debating the issue, you attack the messenger.

Instead of allowing free expression of opposing ideas, you punish those who disagree with you.

That type of society sounds so familiar... I just can't place it... wait a minute, it's coming to me... right, fascism.

I'm not saying we're fascists. I'm saying we're allowing fascists acts to be accepted as normal. You do that long enough you become fascists. It's inevitable.

Time for the average American to get their lazy butts off the couch and start standing up for what they believe in.

In America, you're allowed to believe in traditional marriage and gay marriage. You're allowed to discuss it, disagree or compromise.

What you are NOT allowed to do is punish free thought, free speech and opposing ideas.

We need to demand more from our country. Immediately.