Everybody has a right to their own beliefs is probably a result of the Thirty Years War, and the agreement, finally, that people of different religions could finally live together, without causing chaos. The need to make this a fact, is what led a lot of English colonists to America, so that they could practice their beliefs, without persecution or disdain. Political and philosophical thought was not at that time,and even in our time, should not be considered a belief, at least in the same sense, communism perhaps is an exception/aberration.

The right to one’s beliefs, is not the same as the right to inflict them on others, or on their property. Somewhere in Christianity, Christ said, of all the virtues, graces, beatitudes, it is not my book, Charity was the greatest. It would help if more Christians practiced that in relation to others. Lincoln’s statement, “With Charity towards all, and malice towards none.”, is a good step forward.

Jefferson, with a minor revision, said: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, in that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Granting all people just the right to life, would be a very nice start, with liberty, would be even better. This can be religion at its finest, most inclusive, most generous, most beneficial. Always thought that was the aim.

We are not alive long enough to go around condemning others for their thoughts, do it for their actions should be enough.