Religious Freedom Under Fire

This is family policy matter program is produced by the North Carolina family policy Council of profamily research and education organization dedicated to strengthening and preserving the family enough in the studio. Here's John Rushton, president of the North Carolina family policy Council and thank you for doing this week for family policy matters. It is our pleasure to have Travis with us on the program.

Travis is director of the Center for religious liberty at the family research Council in Washington DC where he focuses on legal and policy issues pertaining to religious freedom. Travis is with us to discuss the growing threat to religious liberty in America today, especially in the area of abortion and marriage and what we as Christians in the Christian community within North Carolina can do about it Travis, welcome to the program. Thanks reveille more delighted to have you and appreciate so much the great work that you do and that FRC does on our behalf. While one of the areas that we've heard a lot about the attacks on religious liberty and faith is with respect to the abortion pill mandate that is part of the affordable care act will Obama care and really this is one of the most obvious recent examples of the government's assault on religious liberty. Of course, the US Supreme Court recently issued an important ruling in the hobby lobby case, which involved a challenge to the abortion pill mandated in Obama care.

Tell us about that case.

If you words of the Supreme Court ruling and why this is so important that case is definitely a win enough for religious liberty in the hobby lobby case there. There were several for-profit closely held businesses which challenged the government's requirement that they provide certain types of contraceptives that they believe cause abortions as part of their plans and provision of healthcare to their employees and they challenge this government requirement under the religious Freedom restoration act, which sets a high bar for the government to meet before it infringes on the religious liberty of citizens or corporations. In this case one of the issues as whether a for-profit corporation could even receive in cylinder religious freedom restoration act or reference, and thankfully the Supreme Court said that corporations could bring such claims. The next question was whether they were going to be successful in this case and the court ultimately said that under the religious Freedom restoration act requirements.

The government had not shown that it was furthering its objectives of provision of contraception by the least restrictive means possible, which the government has to do under the law's requirements in terms of want to get the evening to prevent restrictions on religious activities are so because the government did not do that in this case, and there were easily identifiable options for the government to advance the provision of contraceptives. Apart from making these employers cover it themselves that government had to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to do that. So basically you know that's big what the case was about.

It wasn't about as many people think secure access to contraceptives or anything else. It was simply about the employers being forced to play a part in something that they want to play a part in due to their religious beliefs right in the whole reason behind the religious Freedom restoration act on the federal level was that Congress passed that bill in 1993 to clarify that individuals or persons, and the definition of persons can be interpreted fairly broadly but that persons do have a fundamental protected right to religious liberty and to, in this case with Hobby lobby and Conestoga word to operate their businesses and and carry on their daily activities in a manner consistent with their faith.

Absolutely the reference past and in the early 90s and it's interesting. It's important to note that it was when it was passed. It was noncontroversial that a lot of support and eat on up from liberal to conservative terms.

It political spectrum, and even delete the activist that interested groups detriment of various groups that were involved in its passage and you this is something you have to remember today that that freedom of religion historically has not been a controversial in America. Only when the these these issues involving contraception get wrapped in all the sudden people start to waiver on their beliefs and this needs to be pointed out absolutely well.

Another huge issue that were dealing with on almost a daily basis. It seems now in North Carolina and across the country is that the whole debate over marriage.

I'll say that if the proponents of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples relationships get their way. This will pose a significant significant threat to religious liberty in our country. I know there are countless examples of the conflict between these efforts to redefine marriage and religious liberty. Travis, if you will share with us. One of the most recent cases that we seen which involve private owners of a born in upstate New York. Talk about that case a little bit and why it is important yet recently, a New York human relations commission had ruled against the owners of a a a facility. A basically a country barn and some grounds where there was various other activities that supposed to go and engage in and and kind of celebrate that the seasons outdoors and down basically know what will the activities that that the barn would often have on the property as is wedding ceremonies and receptions in a couple and inquired with this board whether they could hold a wedding there and quickly became apparent that it was a same-sex wedding. The be partners politely informed the couple that it was against their beliefs to be part of such a ceremony and they they could do that but they be happy to host a reception invited the couple out to the bar to the facility to see it.

Visit the couple refused, however, and shortly after that filed suits to leave his phone calls also recorded. You know when we can examine this whole scenario becomes apparent that they were targeting the owners of this facility to implicate them and be able to sue them and this, the owners did the good, the Giffords student did a fantastic job of really showing that this is not about hatred or or animus towards those in same-sex attractions, but nearly they wanted to live in and operate the business by their faith. Nevertheless, the couple suit. Ultimately, a New York commission ruled that the couples violated the New York nondiscrimination law which requires that folks not discriminate on the basis of sexual lite shim will have to wait and see if the if the appeal that ruling like that in these these issues are increasingly important. I think it's clearly such laws are clearly a violation of the religious freedom restoration act. In addition to free speech and free exercise protection of the First Amendment. You know, at some point, hopefully the Supreme Court will clarify that now travels a piece of good news is that the United States Supreme Court has recently issued some important rulings in religious liberty cases or cases that have religious liberty implications. We've already talked about the hobby lobby decision. There is a public prayer case out of the state of New York called town of Greece V. Galloway talk briefly about town of Greece and that opinion and how it helps to strengthen religious liberty in America asserted again this is a good decision from the Supreme Court that we received several months ago and in this case, the Supreme Court said that there was no establishment clause violation.

When a local government had had a policy of permitting all commerce all the local ministers without discriminating between them based on religion. They could all calm and offer a prayer before local government sessions and aided in this policy have been challenged on establishment clause grounds primarily due to the fact that ended up being a lot of Christian prayers offered because the town was overwhelmingly Christian, a lot of Christian churches in the area, but nevertheless the town did have others of other faiths, and offer prayers. The policy is still open to all you know it, and thankfully the Supreme Court said that this was perfectly constitutional account without discriminating between religions and other telco also not censor the the prayers of people when they came and offer the prayers. Interestingly, you noted it would actually be government involvement in religion and and up very problematic constitutionally. If the town were to be required to going in censor and edit for content sale.

Thankfully, the Supreme Court saw the sense in this and held that such policies were constitutional. This is good for all local governments that you do for when they permit when they open up the forum. The floor to ministers in the community come in and play don't to be afraid of being challenged and in having the policies challenge and ruled unconstitutional laws are opening this up to. All they are perfectly with the rights to do so. Travis just from your personal perspective your involvement in these religious liberty cases in these issues. Why do you think were seeing these continued attacks. What is behind the groups and individuals who are seeking to silence people of faith in our nation. You have here. If you very vocal and and hostile groups, the freedom from religion foundation. Others who really, you know that there are minority of people who are really hostile at expression, public expression of faith.

For whatever reason. This is driven them and they feel that there is evil being perpetrated by these public expressions of faith, but their very small minority. And I think you via large, most people are kind of in the middle work where they don't oppose public expression of faith or maybe even support them but they they don't often speak out strongly make their views narrowed and that opens up the floor for these very small vocal minority to really have more influence than it should you die.

I think elsewhere on on the marriage and sexual orientation issue you have other dynamics at play where people they are sympathetic to understanding these arguments that that those of the same sex attraction as dignity and need to be protected and therefore you can't discriminate or is unsympathetic to any actions of faith, which would view that is sin against God. You know what has to be emphasized here is that the beliefs on these matters of sexuality is are motivated by love and their sincere beliefs and they did not bear on the impact or hateful attitude towards that person at all, but it's a matter of belief in terms of how God is over the world and so I think you see a lot of hostility due to that issue towards statements manifested as taking a position on that issue and it's important to emphasize truth with laws when regarding marriage and the impact of faith on marriage law absolutely agree with that. I think that's a great reminder for listeners that although these issues can can really hit deeply in our issues that we feel very strongly about because it really is part of our fundamental faith that we really need to approach the individuals who are proposing restrictions and seeking to silence people of faith. We really need to reach out to them in love and in a courteous manner, but also be found in our commitment because we know that God's word is the truth. As we talk about that. I know it's easy for some folks to get discouraged. As we hear more stories about people of faith being threatened with legal action or being bullied because they hold deeply held religious beliefs about the proper role of sexuality within relationships advice do you have for Christians who are listening to our program today who may feel frustrated or discouraged about what were saying take place in our culture.

Yet I think it's important to remember first that although we often see discouraging items in the news, there's a lot encouraging that's going on that we just don't hear about any supporter. Remember that that God is at work and end his powers not thwarted by the actions of man who may be hostile in that being said, you know, I think oftentimes we can get into discussions and spend our time really getting worked up all these things, when it really may not a lot of practical impact for poor people to remember that practical steps taken in context, do matter. You know, when given the opportunity to write or voice pleasure or displeasure on a certain issue to elected representatives when done in enough force that does matter gets the attention of our elected officials. In addition, when when there's an opportunity to rally and protest on some issue when done with, you know, with a large enough turn that that gets note people's attention and done these up. We need to do is make our voices know generally on these various issues restart the freedom to do that thankfully wears many places in the world. Christians in others do not end least take a lesson for our brothers and sisters overseas who are experiencing very very severe persecution.

If we were, get discouraged, you know about being marginalized or heated for use in any place in the world people are being imprisoned and killed.

You know we shouldn't tell not to do anything because it doesn't matter that our persecution is not a series we should look at that in context and say hey I still have the opportunity speak out some to do so. Well, if you read chapter 5 of Matthew the beginning of the sermon on the Mount.

It speaks very clearly in terms of of us as followers of Jesus Christ being salt and light in our culture and if we remain silent. All were doing is handing over our culture to those who have a completely different point of view and perspective and so is so critically important that we do stay involved in the we do engage our culture that we do speak the truth in love. Travis unfortunately were nearly out of time for this week working our listeners go to learn more about your work and the work of the family research Council. Sure you can check out our website FRC.org will be able to find materials that I've authored on that website and and see what we do on validity, liberty, and on other issues. Well, we appreciate that and appreciate so much the family research Council. May we really work hand-in-hand on a lot of issues, so were so grateful you Travis and thank you I can come out of your busy schedule to be with us on family policy matters and for the great work that you do at family research Council thank you greatly not family policy matters is information and analysis feature of the North Carolina family policy Council join us weekly discussion on policy issues affecting the family. If you have questions or comments.

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