What About Freedom?

America really isn't all that different from most other countries. Americans pride themselves on being unique, on living in a country that is clearly so much better than any other, but really, what's so different? The right to vote? The ability to choose your own religion? Having a government that listens to you?

Recently, I haven't noticed any of these things. If anything, the greatest quality of individuality that America has is their belief that their country is in fact different from all others. There are many different governments scattered across our planet, and many different religions. In most other countries, people know what's allowed, and what isn't. If they don't know what's allowed, they know they are being lied to. American's seem to lack either of these viewpoints.

American's seem to hold a high value in their openness to other religions. This clearly is not the case. Just muttering the word "Muslim" in casual conversation causes memories to rise and ignorance to well up in the chests of the arrogant. As far as the classic American is concerned, there is only one religion worth believing, and that is his own. Without understanding, there can be no acceptance, and with out acceptance, there will be nothing but hate.

But religious freedom extends so much further than that, doesn't it? From the forming of this country, there was a promise of Separation of Church and State. God's hands would not touch the world of government, nor would he shape our decisions, for fear of upsetting those with different belief. An idea of understanding and acceptance, tossed to the wind in favour of ignorance and control. How can a country claim to be open to all religions when even their dollar bill, an item that even the poorest of American's hold dear, has printed upon it "In God We Trust"? How can a country be open to all religions when its leader, it's roll model for all its people, has each of his speeches riddled with comments about God, quotes from the Bible, and a clearly blind belief in Christianity as the only true religion?

No, America is far from the Land of the Free. The only difference America has from country's that openly suppress the beliefs of others is this: In those country's, people know to keep their mouths shut. Here, people still believe they have a say in the matter.