January is the month that commemorates the practices of one’s faith through National Religious Freedom Day on January 16 and World Religion Day on January 19.
Each year since 1993, the President of the United States has declared January 16 as National Religious Freedom Day. According to religiousfreedomday.com, the President calls upon Americans to “observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship.” The freedom of religion in the nation dates back to the signing of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786 by Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President.
In this country, everyone has the right to practice religion without fear of persecution. In other countries, there are restrictions and limitations on religion. This is one of many reasons why some have fled to the United States, to have the freedom that everyone desires and deserves.
On National Religious Freedom Day, many are encouraged to learn about other faiths, read the Presidential Proclamation (2020’s Proclamation: https://rb.gy/evqx95), learn more about the religious liberties in the U.S., and speak to others about this national day. Together, we should be grateful to freely express our beliefs and worship side by side peacefully.
In the year 1950, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States decided to designate the third Sunday of January as World Religion Day. People of all cultures internationally celebrate the solidarity of the major religious groups around the globe. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the most widely practiced religions. These religions are composed of congregations, churches, faith groups, cultures, tribes, and movements.
According to nationalcalendarday.com, religion shapes a person’s morals, ethics, customs, and ultimately shapes their behavior.
If you would like to observe World Religion Day, you can communicate with others who have different beliefs, share this day with people you know, and acknowledge the importance of religion in the world. We can all participate in this event, no matter if you’re a spiritual person who believes in a higher being or have other personal beliefs.