Why do Americans regard religious freedom as an important principal?

Answer 1

The first colonists came to America seeking religeous freedom. When our government was set up, we wanted to base a law on why pilgrims came here in the first place. As a free country it is only right to have this freedom.

Answer 2

The short answer is that the first colonist to the New Land where determined, God-fearing men, often in search of a religious toleration denied to them in their original homelands. These brought their families and anxiously established permanent settlements and farming. In one sense, this new 'experiment' was designed to establish the rule of God on Earth - the New City on a Hill.

The 1st US President, George Washington, said in his farewell address, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." These are effectively the two great pillars of America.

Many other Founding Fathers built upon Washington's basic statement. Nearly 100 years afterwards, the 16th President Lincoln said this in his Lyceum address, "We find ourselves in the peaceful possession of the fairest portion of the Earth as regards extent of territory, fertility of soil, and salubrity of climate,"

Lincoln was expressing praise and Thanksgiving for all of America's stupendous blessing God has bestowed on this land of ours.

Some believe this to be due to the 'birthright blessing' Jacob/Israel gave to his son Joseph's two boys - Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48.

Since the early 20th Century, Progressive forces starting with President Wilson to FDR to Obama have tried to overturn or re-write the Constitution and in particular, the First Amendment right to freedom of Religion. If this trend continues, perhaps they will have their way and IMO America will fall from power to become a vassal or slave people.