rectly effect one another. And there are still civil laws that one must abide by, regardless of what religion he or she belongs to. Mr. Justice Samuel F. Miller stated, "In this country the full and free right to entertain any religious belief, to practice any religious principle, and to teach any religious doctrine which does not violate the laws of morality and property, and which does not infringe personal rights is conceded to all." (Pole 112) A Satanist who is caught sacrificing domestic animals as part of a satanic ritual cannot plead the First Amendment if they are brought to court. Just because that person has freedom of religion does not give them the right to use a household pet as part of a satanic worship ceremony. It "violates the laws of morality and property." This person must still abide by the laws of the state, which prohibit him or her from committing such horrid acts, regardless of whether they are religious or not. Even though church and state are separate, religion is not a valid excuse for disobeying state law. In addition, "religious freedom must also mean religious self-sufficiency, and state intervention to assist a church in any way was a denial of the self-sufficiency of that church." (Pole 96) If the government was going to give religion its privacy, religion must not, in turn, depend on the government for support. This freedom works both ways: Not only is the government kept out of religious matters, but religion is, likewise, kept out of government matters. There would be a true "separation of church and state." Religious freedom has always been an important part of American history. It is the concept, which originally divided us from England, and without it, this country might not exist today. Religious freedoms, along with several other freedoms -- which are just as important -- make America unique. It allows citizens to believe what they want to believe, and practice what they want to practice without a...
