Unfortunately, laws originally designed to shield individuals’ religious freedom have been turned into swords that, in the name of religion, harm other people and undermine measures to promote the common good. These laws enforced widespread discrimination and denied African Americans basic necessities. “Shortly thereafter, the United States Attorney General ‘Almost apocalyptic’: Convoy of Hope, churches helping those affected by West Coast firesLifelong Relationships “Partner Parents” Make an Unforgettable ImpactThe policy requires Defense Department entities “to oversee the development and provision of education and training on the policies and procedures pertaining to the accommodation of religious practices of Service members” to high-ranking military personnel. It means people shouldn’t have to go against their core values and beliefs in order to conform to culture or government.That is very different from Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation based on racial supremacy. In the letter, Berry urged Esper to “issue clear DOD guidance, consistent with Congress’ directive, that strongly protects religious freedom within the DOD.”The letter expressed concern that the Department of Defense had yet to comply with Congress’ 2018 directive to “implement a comprehensive training program for chaplains and judge advocates that further incorporates EO 13798 and the Attorney General’s guidance within DOD.”“It’s really a breath of fresh air to see the Department of Defense, first of all, applying federal law, applying the Constitution and following the President’s executive order on free speech and religious liberty and applying that to the military,” Berry told CP. Religious liberty is enshrined in the text of our Constitution and in numerous federal statutes. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A law firm specializing in religious freedom says a Los Angeles County public health order indirectly prohibits families from observing the Jewish high holy days. “Shortly thereafter, the United States Attorney General issued a guidance memorandum interpreting religious liberty protections in federal law.” Conscience has been considered the individual’s most sacred right. First Liberty wrote the letter in response to the Army’s US Navy faces discrimination claims as it cuts Catholic priestsEvangelicals praise White House signing of 'Abraham Accords' between Israel, UAE and BahrainMRFF founder Mikey Weinstein said in a statement shared with CP that the "all-encompassing incorporation and prominence of the ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act’" in the instruction is "extremely concerning" for his organization.Lawmakers urge Pentagon to protect Christians in military from ‘anti-religion activists’Navy allows service members to attend church during COVID-19, updates policyUS Civil Rights Commissioner denounces 1619 Project as ‘sheer propaganda’White US Christians becoming less motivated to address racial injustice: Barna The policy also forbids service members from requiring chaplains to “perform any rite, ritual, or ceremony that is contrary to the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of the chaplain.” To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable Kingdoms at war: What does your vote say about your soul?Berry said the debate about religious freedom in the military has “never been an issue of what service members could or could not do,” adding the Constitution and the First Amendment haven’t changed. In these cases, there is not a compelling interest for the government to interfere.The first amendment to the United States constitution begins, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …”No. The freedom of religion is a fundamental right of paramount importance, expressly protected by federal law. The Law Protects Religious Liberty Far More than Many People Think Conservative legal commentator and experienced religious liberties litigator David French explains why. Did you know that an estimated 350,000 religious congregations operate schools, pregnancy resource centers, soup kitchens, drug addiction programs, homeless shelters, and adoption agencies?Well, that answer is no. Becket confronts religious liberty threats in six crucial legal areas: education, free speech, individual freedom, property rights, the public square, and religious communities. Our approach ensures that Americans’ religious exercise remains protected in all its forms, in all places, and for all individuals. These laws prevented all individuals and businesses, regardless of their personal beliefs, from opening their doors and providing their services to African Americans. The regulation - Religious Liberty and Free Inquiry Final Rule (Final Rule) - "ensures the equal treatment and constitutional rights of religious student organizations at public institutions and provides clarity for faith-based institutions" in relation to Title IX discrimination law. It means people shouldn’t have to go against their core values and beliefs in order to conform to culture or government.Efforts to repress religious freedom is not just an attack on individual liberty and human dignity, but on the very foundation that has made America strong.It covers all people equally—Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, and atheists. He claimed that the new guidance buttresses the efforts of a "fundamentalist Christian religious right" that seeks to force its "version of the Gospel of Jesus Christ upon otherwise defenseless military subordinates.”Multiply your impact at IWU with online ministry programs in the School of Service and LeadershipIn addition to First Liberty, members of Congress have also “Even though this is a … fantastic step in the right direction and our hope is that this will provide a lot of clarity and a lot of guidance to military leaders, there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Berry stressed. It protects their ability to be themselves at work, in class, and at social activities. "And, in MRFF’s considerable civil rights advocacy experience, gleaned from our over 70,000 MRFF client cases (95% of whom are practicing Christians themselves), the oppressors in this precise dynamic are fundamentalist/dominionist Christian military superiors approximately 99.9% of the time," Weinstein continued. The directive declares that “Service members have the right to observe the tenets of their religion or to observe no religion at all.” Eric Metaxas to politically active Christians: Surround yourself with the ChurchPastor Matt Chandler explains why the term ‘white privilege’ can be ‘stunningly offensive’“And this is something that First Liberty and many others have been asking for. ""This shocking, sudden definitional expansion, specifically the 'whether or not compelled by, or central to, the religion concerned' may well now allow military superiors to proselytize their lower-ranking troops without ANY cognizable Constitutional constraints as to time, place and manner. Religious freedom preserves America’s diversity, where people of different faiths, worldviews, and beliefs can peacefully live together without fear of punishment from the government. Public comment is being taken until June 19. 4019 and S. 2148 in the 105th Congress, would have enhanced the protection of certain religious expression that may be burdened by purportedly neutral state or local laws.