Jan. 28 - On Jan. 16, 1786 the Virginia State Assembly adopted a Statute on Religious Freedom. Authored by Thomas Jefferson, this vital document became the basis for concepts enshrined in the First Amendment to the American Constitution, including freedom of religion and separation between the state and organized religions. To commemorate this seminal document, the American President each year proclaims Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day.

The Tokyo American Center recently sponsored an evening celebration of diversity in American religious life to mark this occasion. The program began with a call to prayer by an Imam from the Islamic Center in Tokyo. Even though I do not understand Arabic, I was stirred by his strong and powerful voice and his devoted expression as he called the faithful to prayer.

Rikkyo University Professor Steven Morgan then explained the role of music in religious observances over the centuries. He drew upon examples from many different religious services including Hindu, Christian, Jewish, and Native American. The British Embassy Choir performed live selections of musical works both classical and modern.

As President Obama said about the diversity of religions in the United States, "Though our Nation has sometimes fallen short of the weighty task of ensuring freedom of religious expression and practice, we have remained a Nation in which people of different faiths coexist with mutual respect and equality under the law. America's unshakable commitment to religious freedom binds us together as a people, and the strength of our values underpins a country that is tolerant, just and strong."

Until next time,

Jim