Breaking News Archive 2012
Government Surveillance of Religious Freedom
Ever since the Obama administration finalized its healthcare mandateone that shamelessly forces religious institutions to provide abortifacient drugswere getting more glimpses into the most blatant war ever waged on pro-life Americans like you and me.
It has the potential for being disastrous. One of the targets included in the mandates crosshairs is Christian colleges that boldly and courageously affirm a pro-life message.
Through a massive government intrusion, the impending requirement seeks to violate the consciences of those associated with these institutions. According to one new lawsuit filed against the Obama administration, its a mandate that would require an ongoing, comprehensive government surveillance of private institutions religious beliefs.
By constitutional standards, thats a breach of the First Amendment and an unprecedented power grab. Thankfully, there are pro-life Christian colleges who will not silently sit on the sidelines while the Obama administration attacks their religious freedoms.
Take, for example, Louisiana College, a school associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Their doctrinal statement declares that everyone associated with the college should contend for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
The schools legal complaint is a devastating indictment of the requirement that the religious institution provide services deeply offensive to the colleges moral and religious sensibilities. Lawyers for the college are saying the school will face stiff financial penalties if they go against the governments pro-abortion demands.
No matter how the federal governments PR machine spins it, both you and I know thats not freedom of religion. As it is, the definition of a religious institution in the mandate is so narrowly defined that I doubt Jesus Christ would be exemptedits essentially a sham. At stake are violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as well as the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution.
Geneva College, an institution that follows the Reformed tradition, is also standing firm against the mandate. Their college president calls the requirement abhorrent and unacceptable.
With the assistance of our good friends at the Alliance Defense Fund, both institutions of higher learning are being helped to defend themselves. Together, these schools join two others, Colorado Christian University and Belmont Abbey College, in facing the assault on religious liberty head-on.
Contrary to what Obama administration officials are feeding to a mostly compliant mainstream media, those who work at pro-life religious institutions can testify to disastrous effects the mandate will have on their freedom to stand for life.
Its worthy to consider that these colleges are only a small part of a growing chorus of opposition to the federal governments pro-abortion creed. The ramifications of this are huge.
Those being affected contend the mandate gives favorable preference to those faiths and sects that dont oppose abortion while forcing others to conform. A crisis of constitutional proportions continues to unfold, and advocates for the unborn must continue to boldly press forward in holding fast to the message of life.
Heres a pro-life answer to Mr. Obamas mandate. Please ask your representatives in Congress to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR 1179 and S 1467). Contact your members of the Senate today by clicking here and members of the House by clicking here.
On behalf of unborn babies and our religious freedoms,
Bradley Mattes
Executive Director
Life Issues Institute
2/24/12
Life Issues Institute is dedicated to changing hearts and minds of millions of people through education. Organizations and individuals around the world depend upon Life Issues Institute to provide the latest information and effective tools to protect innocent human life from womb to tomb.
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