Since when do we pick and choose the definition of "freedom"?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

That is the first amendment. Freedom of speech and respecting an establishment of religion...The government shall not prohibit the free exercise of religion. Shall NOT.

So why all of a sudden have we forgotten what it is to be an American? Why do we pick and choose? I know, I know - we're all guilty of it in some way. I know that I am. But this is serious, people. Our forefathers came to this country as immigrants, fleeing religious persecution in their own countries and trying to seek refuge in a land where they could worship peaceably the way they wanted to. Our very soil was given breath from the fruits of religious freedom and here we are, standing here in hypocritical glory, trying to persecute those who are seeking a place to worship their beliefs.

Do you not all see the irony in this? Do you not see how angering this is? We have thousands of thousands of soldiers overseas - fighting and representing our country and for what it's worth, fighting to protect and defend our civil liberties and our FREEDOMS as Americans. And one of those freedoms is religion and speech. Yet we condemn anything that is not familiar, and we walk around blaming others and pointing fingers and casting stones towards those we claim are insensitive. But who really is being insensitive here?

It's so frustrating and upsetting to see this country for all that it is today. It is frightening to know that one day I may have children who will grow up in a world where 'tolerance' and 'freedom' are words that are just words tagged with meanings that no one seems to honor anymore.