The Reformed Advisor

Category: Religious Freedom

Does the Bible Justify Refusing to Serve Homosexual Weddings?

Posted on February 27, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by

Note: This article is a follow up to yesterday’s post in which I discussed the article by Kirsten Powers and responses to her article.

Predictably, the pending law in Arizona that would allow businesses to refuse service to homosexuals based on their religious convictions has stirred up controversy around the nation. Proponents of the legislation say it is needed to ensure the religious and conscience rights of Christian business owners are protected from government coercion and mandate. Opponents say the bills are just an excuse for people to discriminate.

What was not predictable in this discussion was how divided Christians themselves would be on the issue. Some Christians are saying no one should have the right to refuse service – not even Christians, and not even when rendering service would violate a person’s convictions. Other Christians are baffled by that position and reiterate that the government should not be allowed to force a person to violate his or her deeply held religious convictions. Dr. Albert Mohler recently said that this was “perhaps the strangest and most disappointing dimension of the current controversy.”

Will the Religious Super-Majority Be Forced to Comply?

Posted on February 21, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

A number of times now President Obama has stated that America is “no longer a Christian nation.” I don’t believe that every person in America is a repentant follower of Jesus, and I am certain the president does not believe that either. What I believe the president was trying to accomplish with his remarks is to distance modern America from our religious founding and heritage. In President Obama’s ongoing attempts to replace “freedom of religion” with “freedom to worship” he would like nothing more than to imbed the idea that America is not founded and based on biblical principles.

In a solid refutation of the president’s claim, a recent Gallup poll released at the end of December in 2013 shows that a super-majority of Americans, 75%, identify with the Christian faith. Dr. Frank Newport, Galup’s Editor-in-Chief says:

The Government Forcing Compliance Will End Badly for Everyone

Posted on February 12, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by

There is a concerted effort to force Christian business owners to violate their religious convictions just to satisfy governmental policies. Even though such policies are unjust and violate constitutional freedoms, the government, under the direction of President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, wants to force people of faith to choose between their religious convictions and their businesses.
A culminating moment in this battle will take place in March when two cases come before the Supreme Court. The case of Hobby Lobby, represented by The Becket Fund, and the case of Conestoga Wood Specialties, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom.

In each of these cases, what is at stake is whether or not the federal government can force a Christian business owner to violate his or her religious convictions just to continue operating a business.

Robert P. George: Religious Freedom Matters

Posted on February 8, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

National Religious Freedom Day, being marked today in the United States, reminds us that freedom of religion or belief is a pivotal human right, central to this country’s history and heritage. It is also recognized as such by the United Nations and other international bodies. Yet the issue frequently sparks debates that too often generate more heat than light.
That the mere mention of religious freedom triggers such powerful emotions, in the United States and overseas, helps explain why this critical right has not been accorded the centrality and respect it deserves, especially as a component of U.S. foreign policy. But whatever the reason, the United States must still look closely at the issue – and why it is key to successful U.S. foreign policy.

Should This “Jesus Tattoo” Advertisement Be Banned?

Posted on February 7, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

The Blaze reports: “A Texas man is suing a local school district after officials refused to display his Christian advertisement featuring a tattooed Jesus during high school football games. David L. Miller’s lawsuit against the Lubbock Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas, comes after he alleges that officials denied his digital billboard advertising the website www.JesusTattoo.org in October.”

Should the advertisement, featuring the image below, be banned or refused simply because it is religious in nature? Isn’t that the definition of religious discrimination prohibited in the Constitution?
The video below the image is an incredible reminder of what Jesus for each person. He willingly took the sins of every person that is willing to ask forgiveness and seek redemption. Watch the video and share it with others that need this amazing message of forgiveness. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser.

IRS Attacking “Political Speech” by Conservative Non-Profits

Posted on February 6, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by

Have you ever read a voter guide? Have you ever perused a legislative scorecard? Maybe you are one of the many Americans that have helped with a voter registration drive because you believe every citizen should be involved in electing their lawmakers.

The next question is who should be allowed to perform these tasks?

Movie: Liberty Counsel Movie “Uncommon” Sends Strong Message

Posted on February 5, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

No other group is more attacked for their religious belies that our public school students. It’s one of the reasons home schooling is the fastest growing form of education. The Christian legal group Liberty Counsel has been on the forefront of defending religious beliefs in culture and has now jumped into the realm of movie making.

The movie “Uncommon” chronicles the fight of students at a fictitious high school seeking to express their religious beliefs at school. A press release explains:

BREAKING: W.Va. Senate President Kessler Introduces Dangerous ENDA Bill

Posted on February 4, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

AP: “A bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate would make it unlawful for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Senate President Jeff Kessler, the sponsor, introduced similar bills in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The bills passed the Senate each year but stalled in the House of Delegates. The West Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment and housing based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability.”

Even though the water crisis has dominated the legislature up to this point, anyone with an ounce of insight into West Virginia politics knew that it was a matter of time before a bill like this hit the floor. The tide is changing in West Virginia and true conservatives that do more than talk are gaining seats in the state house. Knowing this, liberals seeking to veer away from the values that has made our state great are desperate. This bill from Kessler is just another example of that desperation.

Picture: Atheists Get Billboard Outside Super Bowl Stadium

Posted on February 1, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

The American Atheists group known for bashing faith has been given add space outside Metlife Stadium where the Super Bowl will be played tomorrow. According to the group this is the first atheist sponsored billboard targeting football fans. The groups president, David Silverman made the following comment:

“Prayer is superstition, plain and simple. It trivializes the dedication of the players and takes away from their achievements…A third of football fans pray in hopes of helping their team. These are adults we’re talking about — people with children, people with careers, people who vote.” [I]t is 2014 and “time to stop believing that prayer works.”

I can’t help but wonder if a group promoting faith, prayer, salvation, or any other faith-based message would have been given the same add space. And if they were given the space, would they or the advertiser be sued by American Atheists or the Freedom from Religion Foundation? Will someone try to sue the atheists for promoting their “religion”? Because let’s face it, atheism is indeed a religion. The double standard and irony here is palpable.

Here’s the billboard that will be featured.

Without Freedom of Religion There’s Only Tyranny

Posted on January 22, 2014 in Religious Freedom by

“The Church is the conscience of the state.”

These words were uttered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many wish such an influential man would have never said such a thing, and still others are actively seeking to remove any presence of a conscience from our society. Our government, undoubtedly based upon biblical principles designed to bring blessing from God and success, is now militantly removing God from every corner. The result of this push to redefine morality in our society and banish the church from influence will be devastating.

An article at the Acton Institute blog sheds light on these results:

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