Religious Freedom Day 2012
January 16, 2013 by Lillie
Religious Freedom Day is observed on January 16th, which marks the anniversary of the passage of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786.
The purpose of the day is to educate children and all citizens about the religious freedom guaranteed to us by the First Amendment. Today, we need to realize that precious religious liberty is threatened by government mandates that require businesses to violate their most basic beliefs.
Bible publishers, hospitals and charities run by religious institutions, and secular companies who operate their businesses according to their faith are faced with an unsolvable dilemma. They must choose between two important values: to follow their religious beliefs and violate the mandate of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide abortifacient contraceptives to employees through their health care insurance or to follow the law and violate their religious beliefs that consider abortion the sin of murder.
Religious freedom does not just extend to religious organizations. It applies to every one of us living our day-to-day lives. If we believe what we profess—whether we are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, pagan, agnostic, atheist, or anything else—we must live our lives according to those beliefs. If the government can take away the right of Christian business owners to exclude abortifacients from the companies’ health insurance, it can take away the right of Jews and Muslims to avoid eating pork and the right of pagans to worship nature.
Whether you are Christian or not, whether you believe that abortion is a sin or a right, you should be alarmed at the government’s intrusion into individual religious beliefs and practices. Today Christians who believe that abortion is a sin are targeted for loss of religious liberty. Tomorrow or next year it could be any faith group, any belief system. To protect your own religious liberty, stand up for the freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
~ Martin Niemöller
ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, especially the evil of religious persecution, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our religious freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Great post. Remember everyone is religious, since the definition of religion is the details of a belief as taught or discussed. It’s a day for all us to celebrate.
Garrett,
And we all need to protect our freedom of religion.
Correct
although i’m not sure what your link means
Oops! Don’t know where that link came from–I’ve removed it.
I don’t think having this kind of bill will be a good solution for decreasing the growth of population. We should be aware that we were all embryos before and abortion is a form of killing of unborn child.
Jane,
I think this mandate is bad for many reasons.
Why does having a belief also mean passing on your beliefs to others? Most of the criticism leveled at those with strong beliefs is their need to impress on those that may not have a cognitive thought process advanced enough to realize that this is an opinion – not scientific fact. In line scales show a scientific belief only comes in later years.,
Steve,
First, let me say that individuals and organizations asking for exemption of the mandate are asking that their freedom of religion not be obstructed. They are not saying that businesses whose beliefs favor abortion should not be allowed to offer abortifacients. They are asking only that they not be required to do so. So that is in no way trying to force their beliefs on others.
In general, I don’t know that everyone who has a belief tries to pass it on to other people. But anyone who sees what they believe is murder would be evil not to try to stop it. Science has demonstrated that a fetus is a living human being. One reason a number of people, both doctors and pregnant women, have changed their minds about abortion is that have seen the baby on an ultrasound and recognized it as a baby, a real person. That is a scientific fact–the only disagreement is whether it is permissible to kill that human being before birth or not. Those of us who believe strongly about the right of every baby to be born try to save as many babies as we can, just as those of us opposed to human slavery try to stop human trafficking.
I share my beliefs freely on my blog, but there is simple solution for anyone who doesn’t like reading what I believe. Just click away and leave the blog and never return. If you choose to read my blog, then you will be subjected to my beliefs, as I would expect to read about your beliefs if I went to your blog.
I agree with you Lillie that this mandate is not a very good thing. Also there are some things that are beyond religion. As an example, I think abortion is one of them. How come if a pregnant woman’s alchohol test turns out positive dusing a hospital check up, she’s then charged for a criminal act, but she’s easy able to destroy the fetus through abortion because it’s her choice. I think abortion is wrong not because I’m a Christian, but it’s wrong for any human being from any religous background. The child has the right to live. That’s why government has to ban it for everyone.
Michael,
I agree with you completely. Unfortunately, some people do not recognize any standards of right and wrong.
I think it is very important for us to protect our religion but religion is a matter of individual choice and people should be given complete freedom for that.
My point exactly, Ryon.
Respect for freedom. Thanks for this information Lillie.
You’re welcome, Eduardo.
Wow, this is all news to me, I never knew of this day, but this post sure did educate me on this topic.
Thanks for the information and teaching me something new!
Eric
Eric,
The importance of this day is to remind us to stay ever vigilant to protect our religious freedom.
I like the short stanza that you have written which indicates what made you speak. It is very essential for one to stand for their religious rights and liberty if someone puts a question on it. Your post is really inspiring for all caste and religions. I am glad you posted such amazing and refreshing article, Lillie! Thanks!
Roger,
Yes, we all have to stand for our religious freedom. If one faith group isn’t free, then all of us could lose our freedom.