Why Religious Freedom Might Be Hard

by | Jan 13, 2026 | Opinions, Politics, Prayers & Thanksgiving

Why Religious Freedom Might Be Hard

I was doing my bible study today and it occurred to me while I was reading Deuteronomy 7:1-19 why countries where Judaism or Muslim is the primary or first religion and that religion shapes their culture, why religious freedom might be hard with the United States. On the flipside of that, our response to those countries from all the different glasses we wear in the United States, including a million denominations of Christianity and the many other religions we say we make room for, and even though I am truly ignorant and very naive, think I have a better understanding today.

In the Jewish Faith there are many sacred texts but the main book that they study is the Torah which is also found in the Christian Holy Bible. These books are called Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Qur’an is the primary text of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed beginning in the year 610 C.E. The Qur’an is required reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam. Qur’an means “The Recital” in Arabic; according to the story, the angel Gabriel commanded Muhammed to “Recite!”. Some Muslims do not believe that any text other than the actual Arabic text of the Quran (even a transliteration or an Arabic text with vowels) can strictly be called ‘the Qur’an’. This is because the Arabic text is considered canonical and there can be no other versions of it.

I met a Muslim woman, while I at the hospital once. I asked her about her beliefs and she said basically her beliefs were the same as Christianity, except she did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Now I know that isn’t entirely true, but there are some similarities.

Deuteronomy 7:1-19 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are about to enter and occupy and he clears away many nations before you—the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you— 2 and when the Lord your God gives them over to you and you defeat them, then you must utterly destroy them. Make no covenant with them and show them no mercy. 3 Do not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, 4 for that would turn away your children from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. 5 But this is how you must deal with them: break down their altars, smash their pillars, cut down their sacred poles,[a] and burn their idols with fire. 6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

7 “It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10 and who repays in their own person those who reject him. He does not delay but repays in their own person those who reject him. 11 Therefore, observe diligently the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that I am commanding you today.

Blessings for Obedience

12 “If you heed these ordinances by diligently observing them, the Lord your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors; 13 he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you. 14 You shall be the most blessed of peoples, with neither sterility nor barrenness among you or your livestock. 15 The Lord will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. 16 You shall devour all the peoples that the Lord your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.

17 “If you say to yourself, ‘These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?’ 18 do not be afraid of them. Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, 19 the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

So God says:

  • WHEN I bring you into 7 nations that are mightier than you, you WILL defeat them.
  • Make no agreement with them and show them no mercy.
  • Destroy all idols and high places.
  • Do not intermarry with them because that will cause you to become confused and turn away from Me and worship other gods.
  • If you worship other gods, I will have to destroy you.
  • I have chosen you and sustain you because I love you. If you are loyal to Me, I will keep My promise to you.
  • If you reject Me. I will reject you.
  • If you follow My laws, I will richly bless you.
  • If you doubt Me, I will make you like the countries I have already beaten for you.

I don’t take it lightly that Judaism, Muslim/Islam, Christianity are all Abrahamic religions because they are connected through one person. All three religions are monotheistic (they believe in only one God), they originate in the Middle East and they are all connected to Abraham, the first man to make a covenant with God, the father of Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac became Israel, the father of the Israelites, otherwise known as the Jews. Jews believe in God and Jewish prophets. They do not believe in Jesus or Muhammad.

Ishmael was Abraham’s other son. The son of the servant who was sent away, the father of the Muslim people. They believe in the prophet Muhammad who was inspired, divinely to write the teachings of the Muslim religion. They believe Jesus was a prophet, but not the Son of God. Islam sees Judaism and Christianism as earlier versions of their religion, and their religion as the final, complete and correct version of religion.

Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. Many Christian Saints lived in the Middle East. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God that was foretold in the Old Testament or Torah. Christians believe that Jesus was born of a virgin birth, He was crucified on a cross and rose after 3 days ascended to heaven and left His Holy Spirit here to guide them, until He comes back. Christians do not follow Jewish laws and they do not accept Muhammad as a prophet. They follow a “love they neighbor as thyself,” type of teaching.

And then I read about the crucifixion. (I have done this before)

Mark 15:37-39

Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from the top to bottom. Now when the centurion who stood facing Him saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Matthew 27:50-54 said that there was an earthquake and dead saints came back to life and were seen by many.

Luke 23:44-47 said that there was an eclipse for 3 hours from noon to 3 pm and as the light failed, that was when the curtain in the temple was torn in two.

The Tabernacle and Temple were signs that God was with the Jewish people. This building was built on separation. There were many courts. The Outer Court was for Non-Jews, the ceremonial unclean, and women. The Inner Court was for men. The Holy of Holies, which was enclosed by a thick curtain, contained the Ark of the Covenant. This symbolized the manifest presence of God. Only the High Priest was allowed in there, after ritual cleansing, one time a year. (Hebrews 9:7) The tearing of the veil meant there was now no separation between God and man.

In the Old Testament, it was believed that people would die if they spoke directly or saw God. (Exodus 19, Exodus 30:20-33, Leviticus 10:1-2) But Jesus became the conduit between God and His people. (1 Timothy 2:5) He fulfilled all prophecies. (Genesis 3:15, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 49:10, Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Psalm 2:1-12, Psalm 16:8-11, Psalm 22, Psalm 78:1-2, Psalm 110, Psalm 118:22-24)

As a Jesus Follower (I prefer this term to Christian) I feel like this is the final revelation. The New Testament is full of what was taught by Jesus as the new covenant. We are to show love and compassion. Share what we have. Be honorable towards each other and hold each other up. I believe that Jesus died to free us from the law that is so important to the Jews but can’t save anyone. (Romans 7:4)

I also see that in the United States we have a lot of options that other countries do not have. We have a lot to have to try to shut out so we can try to focus on the teachings of Jesus and things that are good and pure and holy. There are a lot of temptations. There are a lot of freedoms that might even be seen as idols to worship. Even the idea of religion can be an idol if we aren’t careful. It is hard to stay humble on this earth, regardless of where we are. Even yesterday, I got angry and forgot to pray before I sent a message to someone, I should have never sent a message to. I have been praying ever since about how to attempt to rectify that. It is hard to be human on this earth. I can see why our judgement can get us in trouble and why others might think badly of us and even hate us, especially if we hate them. If I am having trouble with my religion, I can see how others might have trouble with there own and even mine.

Its a lot to think about and even more to pray about.

Be blessed.

 

Read More:

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.

~

Please follow and like us:
error1
fb-share-icon20
Tweet 20
fb-share-icon20
468