First Freedom

Recent attacks against worshippers in Sri Lanka, California, New Zealand and the South have targeted people of all different faiths and beliefs;  but they also are attacks on one of our most cherished freedoms.  The first line of the 1st Amendment to our Bill of Rights clearly states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

First Freedom: The Fight for Religious Liberty is the story of how the most basic of human freedoms - freedom of conscience - was codified for the first time in human history as an inalienable human right protected by law.  Most of us believe we understand what religious liberty means and that it is part of the U.S. Constitution. However, religious liberty is not an absolute freedom and poses many unanswered questions.

By 1630, the Puritans had set up a colony in Massachusetts to practice their own form of Christianity without interference from king or pope. Though they established democratic communities, they did not allow any serious dissent to their beliefs. Faith in God was absolute and could not deviate from what the Bible said or what the leaders said it said. When Anne Hutchison challenged this doctrine and began to preach the Bible as men were doing, the leaders stopped her and banished her from the colony. This incident presented one of the major tests for any democracy:

1) Can a society that seeks religious freedom for itself also extend it to others who don’t believe the same way?

2) What freedom does religious liberty grant members of a society?

3) Does religious liberty allow followers to practice a religious act that might bring harm to themselves or worshippers?

4) Does religious liberty allow individuals to wear religious clothing or jewelry that reflects their religious beliefs even if others find it offensive?

5) Does religious liberty allow individual to disregard or break a law in the practice of their religion?

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Every day, over 30,000 visitors flock to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to tour the exquisite architecture made even more famous by Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. With its gothic style and storied past—construction began in 1160!—the Cathedral maintains an air of mystery and awe.

With the release of VR cinematic experience, The Man Behind Notre Dame, TARGO hopes to explore the unique fascination with the revered Cathedral’s history and secrets that has made it a global phenomenon. “In our modern societies, we constantly question our cultural heritage but the Notre Dame Cathedral creates a sort of magnetic consensus, even among nonbelievers. Notre Dame speaks to everyone. It goes way beyond religion, and we wanted to know why,” said director Chloé Rochereuil.

UPDATE [4.15.2019]*: Earlier this morning an apparent electric fire has resulted in permanent damage to large portions of the Notre Dame Cathedral. French authorities have confirmed that the primary bulk Notre-Dame’s structure and two towers have been saved, although lasting damage has been done. One firefighter was reportedly injured during the blaze. 


As millions of dollars roll in to help rebuild the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in France, people have been inspired to donate to rebuild three churches in Louisiana that were intentionally burned down in the last month.

1) Whether its a historic Cathedral or a small local congregation in Louisiana, how is a church more than just a builiding ?

2) What would motivate someone to commit such a heinous crime?

3) Wss this a 'hate' crime in your opinion? Why/not?

4) What should the punishment be?

5) What efforts are being made to rebuild these churches? Will you contribute? Why/ not?

6) What can we do to stop the hate?