assume that i'm someone who thinks like that. effectively ending any chance of a sale. that happens 30% of the time. to tell one other quick story, a woman i know how the great tv idea, got a famous show runner said "i'm onand he my way to a hillary fundraiser. show it on the way over." it makes it hard for conservatives to operate. the arts or difficult profession. i have lived in the arts for 30 years. it is a tough job. everything that lowers your odds makes it that much harder. hosted by's forum "national review." you can watch it at 8:00 p.m. eastern. >> all month we're featuring our c-span'sm winners in documentary competition for middle- and high-school

students. today students told us the most urgent issue for the new president and congress. our second prize high school winners are 10th-graders from singapore. they are students at singapore american school. they believe religious equality is an urgent issue in their documentary. take a look. colonists, america was religious refuge. their for religious freedom drove them to the new world. to the programs, religious liberties were eventually secured upon the founding of the colony they dubbed new england. unfortunately, segregation dawned as they made it clear that puritans, a separatist group, were less than welcome. led by john winthrop, they fight to massachusetts to create their own haven bid like the programs did to them, the puritans

banished freethinkers like roger williams. he went to rhode island with his followers. notice the pattern? it served as a catalyst for more of his kind. marilyn for the catholics, virginia for the church of england. >> it is safe to say that america was essentially founded by religion, but the irony is clear. these religious groups cryptically freedom to -- crave the freedom to practice their beliefs but condemn those who thought different way than they did. the bill of rights addressed this issue. >> the constitutional make no law recognizing an establishment of religion or preventing the free exercise thereof. >> freedom of religion, freedom of expression, it is another key belief in the united states. while groups may not get along, they are all entitled to their beliefs.

>> however come this has been no picnic. religious ideas are being put to the test with this use such as legalization of drugs, bush and -- abortion, and of course from homosexuality. this is a county clerk for roane county, kentucky. she refused to shoot american license to same-sex couples, being the subject of heavily controversy. it was clear that davis' argument was backed up by her first amendment rights. unfortunately, it has only served to instigate but just in -- religious dissemination. >> the united states. look that much different because the united states has been built on diversity and the practice of religious freedom. but the issue in the united states is that is a much bigger country. but i think that the possibility for learning that the united

states could learn from singapore is something that should be opened up. >> singapore is a smile and in southeast asia, where we live, and known for its diversity come with its 4 national languages, english, mandarin, malay, and tamil. and it is known for its religious diversity unlike in america come with a protestant christian majority, singapore has a wonderful balance. so with all of this in mind, how is there still harmony? it is also clear that around the world, freedom of religion is under threat. we see governments engaging in discrimination and violence against faith. sometimes we see religion twist in an attempt to justify hatred,

persecution against other people, just because of who they are, how they pray, or who they love. >> goes back to the founding, through conservative statements of the supreme court, not just to ensure that there is not an assumption of religion that my prefer one religion over another and do something other than welcome the diversity of faith that we have in this country. >> there has been tension between christianity, between islam, and judaism for thousands of years. a lot of americans see september 11, and that is the only interaction with islam they have. >> obviously, we, like every country, must be vigilant in protecting the rights of religious minorities and building a society for people of all faiths and people of no faith, can live together openly and peacefully. solutions?are the

in singapore, there is a religious harmony act where someone who insights hostility and hatred between different religious groups will get punished. in america there have been several proposals. it intends to prevent discriminatory treatment of views. advanced as commission on the basis of sexual orientation and identity. >> there is a possibility that congress could combine both, like the religious liberty act in utah. >> the federal government says -- at the state level, so with the states like new york be willing to do that? maybe win states like alabama be willing to do the same? >> unfortunately, i really don't think it is achievable, because i don't believe that americans rre willing to sacrifice thei

right to express themselves. >> i think the government can play -- should play a role. >> i don't think it is necessarily a legislative thing. >> find ways to reach out to the community and deliver programs that promote racial and religious harmony. if communities with different groups are more willing to sit down and learn about each other, i think that we go a long way. -- that would go a long way. >> so -- >> so -- >> dear congress and president-elect -- >> religious equality needs to be addressed. nothing will be perfect. >> it will get us closer to the safe haven that the pilgrims -- >> quakers -- >> catholics -- >> and more wanted. >> harmony. >> harmony. >> harmony.

>> to watch all the prize-winning document is in this year's student can competition, visit student dentcam.org.stu >> brown university recently hosted a forum on the future of the republican party with conservative columnist for cities schlapp, who is a donald trump supporter, and political consultant john weaver, who advised john kasich and john mccain's presidential campaigns. "mother jones" magazine washington bureau chief david corn moderated.