Are we becoming a nation that classifies people by their religious beliefs? It appears that way to me as I follow the controversy over prayer before football games in Lauderdale County.
There has apparently been a call by some Christians to search out and identify atheists within the community so that a boycott can be raised against any business that is owned by or employs nonbelievers. Is this what we are coming to? Are we so filled with hate against our fellow man just because he doesn't believe the same way we do?
If so, this is dangerous path down which we travel. History is filled with the dangers of such endeavors. Muslim countries whose law is based on sharia may tolerate other religions "of the book," those being Judaism and Christianity, but people of those other religions are not allowed to participate in the government or freely worship or proselytize. There is religious toleration, but not religious freedom. In **** Germany, people were classified by their religion. Jews were required, at first, to wear yellow Stars of David to identify themselves as Jews. This was followed by boycotts of businesses owned by Jews and Jews were not permitted to work for businesses owned by Christians. The people of **** Germany were Christians: Catholics and Protestants. They thought they were doing the right thing. They might have been led to this action by an evil man, but the people bought into his politics and it led to the holocaust. The evils of the Spanish Inquisition of the 15th century were real. People of differing faiths were forced to accept the Christian church and its religion as the one true religion. Those that did not comply immediately were tortured into submission or if they still did not comply, killed.
It does not appear we are there yet. But what will we do next? Will we paint a black A on a storefront owned by an atheist? Will someone that attends the Church of Latter Day Saints get a blue M? Will Catholics get a silver P? Is this what we want in the United States of America?