Religious liberty, a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and part of the foundation and fabric of American society, assures all Americans the right to practice their belief systems without undo governmental restriction. Ayatollah Mohammad Khatami, the former reformist president of Iran (1997-2005), praised the origin of the American system that protects divergent and conflicting beliefs. He stated in a 1998 interview with CNN that Puritan Christians were a positive example of faith united with religious liberty:
“The American civilization is founded upon the vision, thinking, and manners of the Puritans … The Puritans constituted a religious sect whose vision and characteristics, in addition to worshipping God, was in harmony with republicanism, democracy, and freedom … In my opinion, one of the biggest tragedies in human history is this confrontation between religion and liberty which is to the detriment of religion, liberty, and the human beings who deserve to have both. The Puritans desired a system which combined the worship of God and human dignity and freedom.”
In discussing religious liberty, while a right granted by American law, Christians believe it is first and foremost a gift from God. Religious liberty does not need to be given and can be taken away at any time for any reason. In God’s eyes, no one is entitled to it. When Christians pursue God’s gift over God himself, they make this blessing from God an idol. This paper will argue that if God took away religious liberty it would not necessarily be a punishment. It could be a purifying element and be strengthening to the church. He could replace religious liberty with another gift: suffering. The church in Iran will be given as an example of how God uses lack of religious liberty to further his kingdom.