Countdown to Thanksgiving... Day 18

Today I am grateful to live in a country that allows 

me the privilege to worship the Lord as I choose.

This great country of ours was built on the principles of religious freedom and tolerance. Many of our founding fathers came here to escape religious persecutions. This was so important to them, that it became the first amendment to the Bill of Rights, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." ~ (Pearl of Great Price ~ Articles of Faith 1:11)

As I look around the world today at all of the various religions, it is hard not to see the religious bigotry and intolerance that is rampant among many, if not most religions. I don't need to tear down another religion to make mine look better. “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” ~ James Keller, Catholic Priest

 Off to church we go...