How much of your Freedom to Believe should the government restrict?

How much of your Freedom to Believe should the government restrict? April 02, 2015 | | Share with Friends Dear Chris, We are going on the offensive. Right now. We have no choice and no better opportunity for success. When the federal government attempts to dictate how people live their lives, we must take action. This President -- as a lame duck without the restraints of an upcoming election to campaign for -- is escalating his attacks on our freedom of religion, our freedom to believe and to live according to those beliefs. And when the federal government gets away with it, state and local governments are emboldened to do likewise. We must respond -- strongly, clearly, effectively. The movement to redefine natural marriage and promote same-sex "marriage" is the "tip of the spear" in this assault on our freedom of religion, our freedom to believe. This is nothing less than an attack on our ability to live our lives according to our Christian beliefs, whether it's in our homes, in our employment or in public. Yet increasingly we are seeing the Obama administration pushing values in direct conflict with that of Christian parents. Having a President who displays indifference, if not outright hostility, toward the core teachings of Christianity is dangerous for the future of this country. Indeed, President Obama doesn't even share our view of what freedom of religion is. He wants to quarantine our faith to a couple of hours on Sunday morning -- that's "freedom of worship." But what the Constitution is intended to protect is our freedom of religion, the freedom to believe and live according to those beliefs. This is no longer a matter of our government being merely indifferent to our biblical view of marriage, but rather hostile to it. People are losing their jobs, losing their businesses, being fined, losing their homes -- because of the redefinition of marriage! A bill was introduced in the California legislature early this year that would strip the Boy Scouts of their state tax exemption because the Scouts opted not to allow homosexually active adult men serve as Scout leaders. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that a husband and wife who own and operate a photography studio -- if they wish to continue doing business in the state -- must act against their religious beliefs and take the photographs of a same-sex commitment ceremony. Just this month, a decorated U.S. Navy chaplain who has served with distinction for 19 years was removed from his duties and ordered to appear before an official Board of Inquiry. He could be forced out of the military. What was his misconduct? He failed to show "tolerance and respect" because he expressed a Biblical view of sexuality and marriage during a private counseling session. People should be free to live according to their Christian faith. Accordingly, We the People in the 50 individual states should be free to uphold marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Government didn't create marriage and has no business redefining it. FRC Action is going on the offensive -- working with key leaders in both Houses of Congress to pass the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. This critically important new bill would bar the federal government from discriminating against individuals and organizations based upon their religiously motivated belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman -- or that sexual relations are properly reserved for such a marriage. It would also stop the feds from denying or revoking a nonprofit organization's tax-exempt status simply because of religious convictions about the natural definition of marriage. The federal government would also be barred from using someone's sincere convictions as a justification to deny anyone from receiving a federal grant, contract, or employment. In other words, no discrimination whatsoever -- no more bullying by the government -- based on your religious beliefs about marriage. Business owners and churches will be protected. The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act must pass. FRC Action is working on multiple fronts to get this bill through Congress. We see this as critical. While I am confident that we can get this bill through Congress; I am not confident that President Obama will sign it. But there's still an upside to this situation: Even if the President vetoes this bill, the passage of the Act sends a strong signal to the states -- a "green light" giving them incentive to pass similar legislation. Indeed, state and local governments are waging most of the battles around this issue. To help us see this bill passed, please give a generous contribution to FRC Action today. Make no mistake: Marriage is ground zero in the battle for your freedom to believe -- your freedom to act according to your faith, your conscience. FRC Action is on Capitol Hill every day giving Members of Congress the facts: Families do best with a mom and a dad. Natural marriages build a stronger economy and create more jobs. The health of America's families ties directly to the overall health and vitality of our nation. This is urgently important work. It is not a hit-and-run operation; this requires continuous effort . . . steady pressure . . . a consistent presence on the Hill. We've got to stand strongly against the dangerous policies the President is pursuing and the deceptions he's employing to achieve them. Please give generously today. Thank you. God bless you. Standing (Ephesians 6:13), Tony Perkins President P.S. May God help us not to be lulled by the phrase "freedom of worship." We're hearing this phrase used more and more. It's comfortable. It's familiar. But the harsh reality is this: Our government is taking hold of our freedom to believe. This is far more deadly. This will affect our children and grandchildren. There is no question: The freedom of religion, the freedom to believe and live according to those beliefs is worth fighting for. Please take action now. Thank you again. FRC Action is a tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Financial contributions to FRC Action are not tax-deductible.