Is Freedom of Religion Biblical?

Just as the titular question asked, is freedom of religion Biblical? Not specifically in practice among Israel, but in principles taught in the Bible. If it is not Biblical, should it be practiced in America, and what are the downfalls from such a method?

Freedom of religion as in what? Freedom to practice any religion, or freedom to worship the one true God? I believe the first is not Biblical, ^well, of course not,^ but the first, which is what I think our forefathers had in mind, is, I believe.

I would distinguish between having freedom to worship however one pleases before God and freedom of religion so far being forced by the government to believe or practice one way or the other. It would be right to say we have the right to choose whatever religion so far as the civil law is concerned. It would be wrong to say we are the right to practice whatever worship or believe we choose before God. I have no problem with the civil government not enforcing Christianity to be practiced. It appears that the civil laws you spoke of were meant particularly for the nation of Israel.

Paul in writing to the Corinthians says this, “It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1 ASV) Let us note what penalty is given for having relations with one’s father’s wife in the Law. The penalty was death. “And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:11 ASV) What did Paul instruct the Corinthians to do? He did not instruct that such a one should be put to them according to as it was done under the old covenant. What he does instruct is that such a one should be removed from among them (excommunicated). “For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ASV)

I would distinguish between having freedom to worship however one pleases before God and freedom of religion so far being forced by the government to believe or practice one way or the other. It would be right to say we have the right to choose whatever religion so far as the civil law is concerned. It would be wrong to say we are the right to practice whatever worship or believe we choose before God. I have no problem with the civil government not enforcing Christianity to be practiced. It appears that the civil laws you spoke of were meant particularly for the nation of Israel.

Paul in writing to the Corinthians says this, “It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1 ASV) Let us note what penalty is given for having relations with one’s father’s wife in the Law. The penalty was death. “And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:11 ASV) What did Paul instruct the Corinthians to do? He did not instruct that such a one should be put to them according to as it was done under the old covenant. What he does instruct is that such a one should be removed from among them (excommunicated). “For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ASV)