What does the Constitution of the United States of America say about our freedom?
It is important to know the facts, because, from time to time, there are efforts by some to limit, deny or impose improperly upon our Constitution-protected personal and public freedom.
The issue is pertinent in our community at this time because a Wisconsin-based group has intervened in Hamilton County in an effort to deny the long-prevailing local custom of having voluntary prayer at public school occasions such as athletic events and graduations.
This is what the Constitution says in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights:
"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."
Obviously, we should obey - and defend, uphold and respect - what our Constitution provides.
It should be clear to all that there should be no governmental action either to impose or prevent religious expression, or to curb free speech, or deny a free press, or limit peaceful expressions on governmental issues.
No one should be required to pray, and no one should be prohibited from praying, in public or in private. There should be free participation or non-participation for every individual, with no denial of free choice to anyone.
A problem arises, however, if anyone seeks to deny personal choice concerning voluntary expressions.
There is no better standard than to let each individual choose for himself or herself, and participate or not participate, in public prayer - without imposing one's own views and prohibiting free choice.
Freedom is a wonderful, hard-won right that should be defended! Americans long have enjoyed personal freedom, insisting that we do not deny it to others. We must continue to be free to make our own personal choices - with freedom of diversity - without denying equal rights for all.