Episode 171

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Published on:

13th Jul 2025

Make America Good Again Step 11 Religious Freedom

“Religious Freedom” 

Sacred scriptures in each tradition contain principles that can be interpreted to support religious tolerance, freedom of conscience, and respect for diverse paths to truth.

  • Freedom of belief and worship
  • Freedom to convert or not convert
  • Respect for other traditions
  • Non-coercion in matters of faith

I. Judaism

Judaism is not a proselytizing religion. It emphasizes mutual respect and ethical pluralism, accepting that non-Jews can live righteous lives within their own traditions.

II. Christianity

While missionary in outlook, Christianity’s core message emphasizes free choice and personal conviction. Religious freedom is consistent with respecting the dignity of every person.

III. Islam

Islam upholds religious freedom as a divine principle, while also maintaining its truth claims. Historically, Islamic societies recognized and protected religious minorities through legal frameworks like dhimma.

IV. Buddhism

Buddhism strongly supports freedom of conscience, rational inquiry, and tolerance toward other paths. Coercion is fundamentally incompatible with its teachings.

V. Hinduism

Hinduism celebrates diversity of belief and practice as spiritually legitimate. Religious freedom is seen as a natural reflection of cosmic pluralism

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About the Podcast

The Rabbi and I
The Rabbi & The Cartoonist Give Answers
When people ask Rabbi Block a question they frequently preface the question by telling him not to answer with a question! And he can’t agree more. When People ask a question they are looking for an answer and not to be asked a question. “The Rabbi and I” podcasts are exactly that, answers to questions that Joe and Rabbi Block have been asked.

The podcasts begin with Joe asking for Rabbi Block’s opinion, thoughts, views, etc. on questions that have caught his attention. He is looking for moral, spiritual, and religious guidance. And that is what Rabbi Block provides, understandable and common sense answers from nor only the Jewish tradition, but from the wisdom of other traditions as well.

Rabbi Ken Block, aka “Rabbi On the Go” offers wit and wisdom on a variety of topics to Joe, the “not a Jew.” Rabbi Block is “Rabbi Emeritus” for a Reform, interfaith congregation in Chantilly, Virginia. Rabbi Block relies on his experience as a behavioral therapist and teacher to give spontaneous wisdom on any topic. Joe, like the Rabbi, was taught by Jesuits and together they explore the commonalities and contrasts in modern religion, events and experiences. Feel free to make requests or volunteer to be a guest with the topic of your choice.

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Keneth Block

Rabbi Kenneth Block graduated from Boston College in 1968 and was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1974, and is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Rabbi Block retired after 40 years as an addiction Chaplain for the Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care Systems, as the Chaplain for the Bel Air, Maryland Volunteer Fire Company, as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , and Chaplain for the Maryland State Firemen's Association. He was a volunteer for the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington was is a volunteer Chaplain for Capital Caring Hospice.