Freedom basic tenet of Christian faith.

Christians have a responsibility to advocate for the free practice of religion by all — without restriction or influence from the government regardless of anyone’s religious persuasion.

Freedom of religion is at the core of our American founding principles. The freedom to practice one’s faith without government infringement is the ideal that drove the Pilgrims to the New World. It is the bedrock on which all our other freedoms rest.

Religious freedom is also foundational to my Christian faith. Jesus never demanded that individuals join his band of followers. He loved people. He invited them. He urged them. But he didn’t take up the sword or enlist the government to “motivate the masses” to follow. Jesus offered people freedom of and from religion and faith.

Since our nation’s inception, Christianity has enjoyed a significant majority in America. Today about 70 percent of Americans classify themselves as Christians, down from about 80 percent in 2008.

Interestingly, only about 17 percent of us attend a house of worship — all faiths included — on any given weekend. It is predicted that in the not-so-distant future, Christians will still be the largest faith in the U.S., though no one faith will hold a majority. But Christians do represent a strong majority of Americans today.

Much of today’s rhetoric has led us to believe that the battle for religious freedom is a battle between differing belief systems to see which one will dominate. The issue of religious freedom is not a contest between belief systems. Rather, it is a contest between citizens and their government. I am concerned that some have mistakenly assumed that when other faiths arise or advance, it is a threat to our faith or our freedom. I see it as the exact opposite.

Freedom of religion breeds plurality, not singularity. I value truth more than I value plurality, but plurality is an indicator of freedom. While I don’t hold that all faiths are equally true, I do hold that all faiths are free to practice. And in fact, the only venue where I can demonstrate my commitment to religious freedom is when I am advocating for another’s freedom to practice his faith freely when his faith is different from mine. If I am only making room for my faith, it is not freedom I am advocating for; it is dominance or authority.

Seeing other faiths practiced in our country should give us hope that Christians will be provided that same freedom to worship even when those in power don’t share our faith. That’s what makes this American experiment so special.

It’s not that we’re a Christian nation. Rather, we’re a country whose government is not aligned with any particular faith. All faiths are on common ground when it comes to practice without fear of restriction or infringement by the government.

I believe Christians in America today have an opportunity — while we remain in the majority — to ensure our government is restricted from engaging in religious activity or attempts to influence religion. We should take steps while we still have influence to limit government intrusion so that we will not be looking for government’s behavior to change after our influence has lessened.

Christians must work to restrict government now to ensure that government will not restrict Christians later. Failure to do so now will be at our peril long term.

Doesn’t it make sense that we would want to treat individuals of other belief systems the same way we would want to be treated if we were them? Jesus taught us to live this way when he said, “…as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

It is the right thing to do. And I’m certain it’s what Jesus would do.

While I don’t hold that all faiths are equally true, I do hold that all faiths are free to practice.