The U.S Constitution creates two core rules regarding freedom of religion. First, the Establishment Clause established the separation of church and state by stating that the U.S. Government cannot set up an official national religion and cannot give any religion priority or status over another, or over the lack of religious beliefs. Second, the Free Exercise Clause clarifies that our government cannot stop individuals or groups from practicing their faith, or from having no faith at all.
In spite of the Constitution’s clear mandate on religion, the Christian-nationalist tenets now advanced by America’s religious far-right are vigorously promoting Christian doctrine as a force that must infuse and even dominate American religious, political and social life — supposedly in order to preserve our national identity and “the American way.”
In my view, support for this notion is due to perceived misalignments between the core values of Christianity and those of other religions. What percentage of Christians in America today can claim more than a superficial knowledge of other religious belief systems (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Stoicism, Humanism, etc.)? If I stopped a group of my fellow Christians on their way out of church and asked them to describe the most important doctrinal values of one of those “other” religions, what would I hear? Even the more in-depth answers, I suspect, would say more about differences from Christianity than about similarities.
So, a quick summary:
- The teachings of Jesus Christ emphasize love, compassion, forgiveness and humility. Key tenets include love and care for one’s neighbor, forgiveness and social justice. (There are splinter groups. For example, those who follow the so-called “Christian prosperity doctrine.”)
- Judaism emphasizes the covenant between God and the Jewish people, focusing on community, ethical living, and justice. Its teachings encourage questioning and interpretation in opposition to rigid dogma as well as promoting dialogue.
- Islam emphasizes The Five Pillars, which outline essential practices, including charity and prayer. Islamic teachings stress compassion, justice, and care for the less fortunate. (Splinter Islamic groups advocating for jihad and other violence have deviated from these core beliefs.)
- Buddhism focuses on the Four Noble Truths, which address and the path to inner peace through ethical living, meditation and wisdom. The emphasis on non-attachment and compassion contrasts with the materialism often associated with religious extremes of any kind.
- Hindu teachings focus on dharma (duty/righteousness) and karma (the law of cause and effect), promoting ethical living and responsibility toward yourself and society. Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, allowing for pluralism and tolerance.
- More a philosophy than a religion, Stoicism teaches that virtu (virtue) is the highest good, emphasizing rationality, self-control, and resilience in the face of adversity. Stoicism promotes the idea of a universal community, achieved through the practice of compassion, honesty and integrity.
- Humanism emphasizes reason, ethics and justice, often promoting the idea that humans can lead ethical lives without reliance on supernatural or religious beliefs. Humanists advocate for social justice, human rights, and compassion.
Like Christianity, most of these religious traditions emphasize love and compassion as foundational principles, including practical compassion, i.e., taking action to alleviate suffering. Judaism, Islam, and many Eastern philosophies emphasize communal responsibility and human connection.
While far-right Christian nationalists work to to sow distrust and fear toward people of other faiths and persuasions, it’s more important than ever for Americans of all faiths to understand that that their values have much in common with those held dear by followers of most other belief systems — and that, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the continued separation of church and state is fundamental to the freedom of religion for ALL Americans.
Matt LaMotte, a native of the Eastern Shore, has a diverse background. He grew up in Baltimore but spent much time in Easton and Chestertown. After college, he returned to the Mid Shore and worked in insurance and finance while raising his two sons. He then pursued a teaching and coaching career in independent schools across different states. In 2018, he chaired the History Department at Sts. Peter and Paul High School in Easton before retiring in 2021. Matt is now focused on conservation, outdoor education, and staying engaged with local and global affairs.