The Importance of Religious Liberty

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In recent weeks America has seen an assault on Religious Liberty. After the passage of the Health Care law, Catholic and Protestant non-profit organizations and businesses faced a choice - buy coverage for abortion or pay a fine. In other words compromise their religious beliefs or face heavy fines. Suddenly the First Amendment became merely a sentiment, it no longer protected people as they go about their daily life. Many in the church have refused to speak out about the danger of losing this first freedom. Religious Liberty is about much more than the Government allowing one to believe a set of philosophic and theological principles, it is about the Government allowing individuals to put into practice their belief in their daily lives.

The Supreme Court last week refused to hear the case of a photographer who refused to participate in a homosexual wedding, because she believed that marriage is supposed to be between one man and one women for life. Therefore, by participating in their "wedding," she would be supporting and promoting their way of life - in other words helping these individuals sin.

Whether discussing the case of Hobby Lobby or Elaine Photography, we see a common thread - the Federal Government saying that individuals can only practice their religion in a religious building or setting and not in public. They cannot run their businesses or their public life in accordance to their beliefs, instead they must keep their religion private, and follow the government mandated way of life. If they come after religious liberty the rest will be soon to follow.

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