New Amsterdam Figured Out Religious Tolerance 361 Years Ago.

'We’ve been here before: America had a “travel ban” crisis more than three and a half centuries ago, and it was resolved, pragmatically, with an appeal to the universal principle of religious freedom. That case should serve as a touchstone for those who are saddened and outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Trump’s ban on admitting people from selected mostly Muslim countries.

As a candidate, Donald Trump vowed to enact a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslim immigration to the United States, and his administration has worked diligently to make good on that promise. Civil rights organizations report that religion-based hate crimes and religious discrimination have been on the rise, with hate groups seemingly taking their lead from the president’s tweets.

Those who consider all of this to be antithetical to America’s founding principle of religious liberty have looked to the First Amendment to the Constitution as their salvation. Unfortunately, the First Amendment is vague in its language, which gives wide latitude for interpretation.

But an earlier assertion of this fundamental principle is quite clear. Kenneth Jackson, the great historian of New York City, has called the Flushing Remonstrance — an appeal to religious liberty in the Dutch colony of New Netherland, precursor to New York — “a forerunner of the First Amendment” and “a major statement” of “the right to practice the religion of your choice.” This document should serve as a guide in the fight over religious liberty.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/27/opinion/travel-ban-supreme-court-new-amsterdam.html?