Freedom. We tend to think of religious freedom is a basic fundamental principle of our democracy and when we take very much for granted. The countrys history as steve recounts in his fascinating history was filled with examples of religious persecution. Steve recalled stories of the anglican ministers brutalizing baptist ministers are out of time of the revolution, the american revolution. And later catholics being barred from Holding Office and the banning of the native american spiritual practices tends to exterminate mormons and much more. All of which underscores despite the first amendment, the struggle to ensure religious freedom in the United States has been challenging and the struggle goes on today reflected in the assaults of muslims and the concerns of some American Christians their own faith is being persecuted. Yet through all of this, america has been not only to establish a large measure of freedom, but to pursue an approach to religious freedom that is distinct in the w