)
2024 Winner Announced!
With over a dozen entries, it was hard to find a winner.
Also check out about our other scholarships.
Esteemed Members of Congress,
Thank you for the opportunity to address this body today. We gather here as representatives of a democracy that stands as a beacon of freedom and equality. Our nation was founded on the principles of individual liberty and the separation of church and state—values enshrined in the First Amendment. These ideals not only guarantee the freedom to worship according to one’s beliefs, but also protect the rights of those who choose not to follow any faith. Yet, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where these core principles are being challenged.
The strength of American democracy lies in its diversity and in the guarantee that no single belief system can dictate our laws or infringe upon the rights of others. We must remain vigilant in safeguarding the separation of church and state to ensure that all citizens—whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, or adherents of any other belief—are treated equally under the law. This separation is not an attack on religion; rather, it is a protection of religious freedom. By preventing government entanglement with any one religion, we preserve the right of every American to practice their faith freely, without interference or coercion.
However, I fear we are seeing a rise in religious extremism and bigotry that threatens this balance. When religion is used as a weapon to exclude or demean, our democracy weakens. Whether it is the denial of basic rights to LGBTQ+ individuals in the name of faith, or the marginalization of religious minorities, such actions undermine the values of equality and tolerance that our democracy is built upon.
To address this, we must first reaffirm the principles of inclusion and respect for diversity in our laws and policies. No American should fear discrimination or violence because of their religion or lack thereof. Congress must take a firm stand against efforts to impose religious doctrines in our legislative processes, and we must commit to passing laws that protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs.
We must also work to foster greater understanding between different religious communities. Education plays a critical role here. By promoting religious literacy and encouraging dialogue, we can break down the walls of ignorance and fear that often lead to bigotry. It is only by building bridges, rather than walls, that we can hope to heal the divides that threaten our unity.
Lastly, we must all commit to a politics of compassion. Religious freedom does not mean the freedom to harm others. It means the freedom to live out one’s beliefs in peace, while allowing others to do the same. If we are to truly protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy, we must ensure that our laws continue to reflect the rights of all, not just the beliefs of a few.
Thank you. Let us unite in our shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice for all.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this body today. We gather here as representatives of a democracy that stands as a beacon of freedom and equality. Our nation was founded on the principles of individual liberty and the separation of church and state—values enshrined in the First Amendment. These ideals not only guarantee the freedom to worship according to one’s beliefs, but also protect the rights of those who choose not to follow any faith. Yet, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where these core principles are being challenged.
The strength of American democracy lies in its diversity and in the guarantee that no single belief system can dictate our laws or infringe upon the rights of others. We must remain vigilant in safeguarding the separation of church and state to ensure that all citizens—whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, or adherents of any other belief—are treated equally under the law. This separation is not an attack on religion; rather, it is a protection of religious freedom. By preventing government entanglement with any one religion, we preserve the right of every American to practice their faith freely, without interference or coercion.
However, I fear we are seeing a rise in religious extremism and bigotry that threatens this balance. When religion is used as a weapon to exclude or demean, our democracy weakens. Whether it is the denial of basic rights to LGBTQ+ individuals in the name of faith, or the marginalization of religious minorities, such actions undermine the values of equality and tolerance that our democracy is built upon.
To address this, we must first reaffirm the principles of inclusion and respect for diversity in our laws and policies. No American should fear discrimination or violence because of their religion or lack thereof. Congress must take a firm stand against efforts to impose religious doctrines in our legislative processes, and we must commit to passing laws that protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs.
We must also work to foster greater understanding between different religious communities. Education plays a critical role here. By promoting religious literacy and encouraging dialogue, we can break down the walls of ignorance and fear that often lead to bigotry. It is only by building bridges, rather than walls, that we can hope to heal the divides that threaten our unity.
Lastly, we must all commit to a politics of compassion. Religious freedom does not mean the freedom to harm others. It means the freedom to live out one’s beliefs in peace, while allowing others to do the same. If we are to truly protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy, we must ensure that our laws continue to reflect the rights of all, not just the beliefs of a few.
Thank you. Let us unite in our shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice for all.
Yvette Mtz
Indio, CA
Indio High School
