Today is National Freedom Day

On February 1, 1865, Abraham Lincoln signed a joint resolution that proposed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment was made to outlaw slavery and was ratified on December 18, 1865. On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill to proclaim February 1 as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States.

One way to celebrate National Freedom Day is to reflect on and savor the freedoms that we enjoy.

Here are a few:

• The freedom to belong to, endorse, or criticize whatever religious or political groups we wish. This is not common in many parts of the world, where criticizing the majority religion or political party can get you sent to jail or even killed.

• We have the peace and security of being able to be in the minority, and not fear that the majority will come kill you and your family for your beliefs. In America, we've learned to tolerate differences without resorting to violence. 

• We have the freedom to spend our money on whatever goods or services are legally for sale, without having to buy from a government enforced monopoly. 

• We have the freedom to change our government. If someone doesn't like the current officeholders, they can form a movement, publicize their views, get candidates to run, mobilize their voters, and replace those officeholders.

• American citizens exercise one of their guaranteed freedoms by going to the primary polls to vote for their favorite presidential candidates. U.S. elections provide for an orderly and peaceful transition of governmental leaders.

• We have the freedom to change our government. If someone doesn't like the current officeholders, they can form a movement, publicize their views, get candidates to run, mobilize their voters, and replace those officeholders. This is not the rule in many countries. 

• We have the freedom to start our own business ventures. If you see an economic opportunity, you can form a business to try and take advantage of this. You don't need to have relatives in high places or other connections to gain permission to start a business.

• In the US you can change your residence, business or spouse very easily.

• And every Sunday, as well as during the week, Christians and people of all faiths are free to worship in the place of their choice. No barred doors. No Secret Police. No censoring of the message by government security. The freedom to worship according to one’s conscience is one of our nation’s most cherished values.

• In the democracies of western Europe, and in Germany in particular, if you change your residence then you must register the change with your local police precinct.

• In many countries around the world there are not even basic human rights – especially religious freedom. Christians – especially in Islamic and communist countries – are forced to worship underground. Reading a Bible could bring imprisonment.

• North Korea – Kim Jong Il must be worshipped as a “god” with no exceptions. Up to 700,000 North Koreans are suffering in prison camps, some for simply practicing their faith underground. As one North Korean said last December, “we can only celebrate Christmas in our hearts.”

• Saudi Arabia – The country is considered a friend of the U.S. due to its support of the war on terrorism. However, there is absolutely no religious freedom. A person charged with apostasy – changing one’s faith from Islam – could face death.

• Iran – Islam is the official religion in Iran and all laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of Shariah (strict Islamic law). Since hard-line conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president in 2005, persecution has increased for Christians and others.

• Freedom of international travel is a big one.  As of 2014, a passport from the United States grants entry to 174 countries (tied for #1 with the UK, Germany, Sweden and Finland) either with no visa at all, a visa purchased on arrival, or an "e-visa" purchased online in advance.

• While citizens of most developed countries in Europe have fairly similar freedom of international travel, but politics or other factors limit travel for citizens of many countries that are economically or politically powerful. Israelis and Brazilians only get access to 147 and 146 countries without advance visas, respectively; Taiwanese only 132, Russians only 100, Chinese and Indians only 52!

(This information was collected from my travels around the web, most notably from quora.com, Christian Science Monitor, and Wikipedia).