Dwayne Leslie, Legislative Affairs Director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists shares his perspective on the current U.S. Congress. EXCERPT: “The more voices, the more diverse points of view heard from, the better the chances we can collectively continue to ensure the ability for all people to follow their conscience. Together we thrive.” Read…
Category: Current Events
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Established Separation of Church and State
The Act, written by Thomas Jefferson, allowed Virginia to become the first state to separate church and state and remains part of Virginia’s constitution. It was later used as a model for other state constitutions as well as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Top Religious Liberty Stories of 2012
Here are some of the top religious liberty stories of 2012, in no particular order.
A Critique of Employment Division v. Smith (1990)
Black Friday and Blue Laws: Renewed Calls for Uniform Rest Days
In a world of religious diversity coupled with a common system of of commerce, the institution of a common day of rest and its enforcement would necessarily require coercive methods to prevent individuals from carrying out interpersonal business activities, and place greater pressure on observers of other days of rest to violate their conscience by working on their rest days.
December 18, 2012 – PBS to Premiere First Freedom: The Right for Religious Liberty
FIRST FREEDOM: The Fight for Religious Liberty is the human story of how the Founding Fathers viewed faith, and how they radically broke with the Western tradition of religion-by-law to create a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice. For more information visit PBS. Watch First Freedom: The Fight for Religious…
Federal Judge: Christian Owned For-Profit Company Must Comply with HHS Mandate
Hobby Lobby is appealing the ruling. Ultimately, for the Greens, it may come down to the question of whether a business can serve both “God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24).
The Results: Voters Decide on Same-Sex Marriage, Marijuana, gambling and religious freedom
On November 6, 2012 voters in many states had the opportunity to make decisions on a number of state laws through ballot measures. Voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington voted in favor of measures that would legalize same-sex marriage. Voters in Minnesota rejected a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and voters in North Carolina voted to define marriage as solely existing between one man and one woman.
Jackson Sun Interviews Two Religious Leaders Engaged in Trademark Dispute
The Jackson Sun has interviewed Walter “Chick” McGill and Lucan Chartier about their trademark dispute with the Seventh-day Adventist Church (their church is named “Creation 7th Day Adventist”) that has landed both of them in jail for contempt of court. Although later released, McGill and Chartier maintain that they could be incarcerated again if they refuse to change the name of their church, which they believe was given to them by God.
Adventists: Florida Amendment 8 Harmful Not Helpful to Religious Freedom
Dear Friend of Religious Liberty: Over the last 12 years, we have been watching the Florida state lawmakers’ attempts to fund private and religious schools in Florida with tax dollars. It has become apparent they will stop at nothing to do away with your state constitutional protection that prohibits tax dollars going to support religious…