If the First Amendment of the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there,” then why are political leaders being criticized for attending the Red Mass event?
The Red Mass is an annual invitation-only event held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. On Oct. 3, Vice President Joe Biden and five Supreme Court justices attended this event, which critics said was an inappropriate action for the political leaders because of the topics discussed: politics, religion and the law. Speakers at the event discussed the high court’s ruling legalizing abortion, the constitutional separation of church and state and other universal themes.
Critics are concerned that these prominent leaders will be influenced by the speakers and their push towards anti-abortion and the collaboration of church and state. But am I the only one who sees a double-standard here?
The media criticizes religious leaders time and time again for their stances on abortion, homosexuality, stem cell research and the like. However, aren’t we supposed to be the “land of the free?” Who’s to say one opinion is more valid than another? Whether you agree with what goes on at the event, you can’t deny any American citizen, regardless of political position, the right to attend.
The word free in “land of the free” should not only encompass the freedom to have an abortion or the freedom to love whomever you want, but it should also encompass the freedom for political leaders and the average Joe to believe in God, go to religious events and disagree with abortion or homosexuality if they see fit.
If it’s not OK for individuals to be criticized for being a homosexual, having an abortion, supporting stem cell research, then it’s definitely not OK for an individual to be criticized for going to church, having a faith, or going to an event, like Red Mass, which has religious undertones.
Political leaders, like Joe Biden and the Supreme Court justices, are in positions that affect the way this country runs, which is why I understand the criticism against them for attending Red Mass. But the critics need to understand that those political leaders have the right to go, the right to believe whatever they want, and the right to have their views rooted in faith.
