For centuries, our nation has been revered for the idea of separation of church and state. In the colonial period, Englishmen voyaged to the new world to escape religious prosecution, and the founding fathers were adamant to include religious tolerance in the Constitution. While many may hold that religion is in contrast to patriotism, I believe that my religious history is exactly what makes me a patriotic American. The very fact that in my life I have had the coveted opportunity to explore and alter my religious beliefs is a uniquely American trait, in the sense that the liberty to choose our own religious path is a crucial faucet of American culture. Throughout history people have been discriminated against for their religion. Despite the fact that we are all members of the same human race, our choice in deity or lack of thereof has achieved wonders in dividing us. There has never been, and will never be, a single religious belief that has not or will not be subjected to discrimination. From Christianity in ancient Rome or Judaism by the Nazi party to the polytheistic beliefs of the ancient Incan society of South America, religion will continue to be a controversial issue in every human society. However, while prejudice will always exist in human nature, it is also a vital faucet of a society and government. Of the over 190 sovereign states in the world today, not half of them tolerate religious freedom. Not only does the United States tolerate every religion, but it has been a core theme of American culture, history, and politics since the birth of our country, and that sweltering September day when our Constitution was signed and launched into action. Worn down by my Mothers strictly Catholic Texan family, she had never been one to attend church service on Sundays, or even Christmas. As a child, I had never been exposed to any religious environment until I was 13 years old, when my devoutly Christian cousins convinced me to attend church with them on Sundays. Although I was not utterly enthralled in Catholicism, it encouraged me to explore other religious
