Guest Opinion: The Obama Mandate is the Gravest Threat to Religious Freedom in 226 Years

By Ken Blackwell and Bob Morrison
10/9/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Now, all Americans are forced to join President Obama's professed ignorance of when human life begins, when the unborn come to possess the right to life

President Obama doesn't care what you think, so long as you join him in helping to destroy the unborn on demand. And help him by paying for it. The Virginia Statute of 1786 freed citizens from having to pay taxes to churches whose doctrines they disbelieved and whose worship practices they did not share.

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic online) - A liberal reporter speaking at a conference in Georgetown recently dismissed conservative alarms about the Obama administration's mandate that forces religious institutions--like Catholic Hospitals and Evangelical colleges--to provide coverage for drugs and procedures that can abortions and that effect sterilizations.

"What about the anti-Catholic Bible riots in Philadelphia in the 1840s," she asked. Those led to scores of people actually being killed. Those Bible riots were deplorable, a blot on American history. But they were not the acts of the federal government. They were lawless violence, not a deliberate policy of oppression.

James Madison famously said the people are right to take alarm at the "first advance on their liberties." The Obama Mandate will force us to violate our consciences. President Obama famously said he doesn't know when human life begins, but he's willing to force us to collaborate in the destruction of innocent human lives. We do know when human life begins. So does science.

So, increasingly, do millions of young Americans who see their first photo--an ultra-sound picture taken of them in their mothers' wombs. This is why, even liberal columnist Joe Klein writes, "ultrasound has made it impossible to deny that that thing in the womb is a human being." He conceded this in TIME magazine, no less. But President Obama and his administration deny this eternal truth every day. And he wants to force you to deny it, too.

Madison happily reported to Thomas Jefferson in France in 1786 that the Virginia legislature had finally passed their great Statute for Religious Freedom. Madison exulted that this historic law would "establish" not a single church or denomination, but religious freedom itself--for the first time in human history. This measure would become the foundation for civil liberty, he thought. And it would add immeasurably to the "lustre of our country." No more would governments presume to tell men what they must think. Conscience had been liberated.

President Obama doesn't care what you think, so long as you join him in helping to destroy the unborn on demand. And help him by paying for it. The Virginia Statute of 1786 freed citizens from having to pay taxes to churches whose doctrines they disbelieved and whose worship practices they did not share.

Now, all Americans are forced to join President Obama's professed ignorance of when human life begins, when the unborn come to possess the right to life. Abraham Lincoln had no such doubts as this Illinois president expresses. He said "nothing stamped in the divine image was sent into the world to be trod upon." That firm faith impelled Lincoln to reject human bondage inspires millions of Americans to reject this slaughter of innocents.

Madison wrote in Federalist No. 51 that the multiplicity of sects (religious denominations) is what enabled Virginians to establish religious freedom in 1786. And he argued that the checks and balances of the new Constitution would be preserve civil liberty in the new American republic. That's what's in danger now.

If the Obama Mandate stands, Americans will all be forced either to violate their own consciences or be taxed for the suppression of other Americans' consciences. We have long recognized conscientious objection in granting exemptions from the military draft. President Obama's proposed religious exemption from his abortion mandate is so narrowly drawn that it is questionable whether even Jesus' ministry would qualify.

We are putting at risk America's unique contribution to the world: religious freedom. How much longer can we say, with George Washington, that in America "each shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid."

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Ken Blackwell and Bob Morrison are senior fellows at the Family Research Council.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: religious Freedom, religious liberty, First Freedom, HHS, Mandate, Sebelius, Obama, Biden, Romney, Ryan, Ken Blackwell, Bob Morrison

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1 - 10 of 25 Comments

DLL
7 months ago
"He was conceived through the Power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary." If we profess this as Catholics we must believe that life begins at conception. This is a scientific fact as well as a supernatural fact of existence. To deny it is childish no matter what one believes. It is not a matter of belief it is fact. The current President is a of a eugenic mindset. People who can't afford a baby should not be punished with that responsibility is his mindset. This includes many of his own race where in their communities are an abundance of planned parenthood sites. We as a nation under Obama gladly fund abortion facilities outside of our country. We magically look the other way when illegal drugs are infiltrating every community in the nation, These activities are supported by illegal sex trafficking and the abusive pornography industry as well it seems. Our country is perverted and unrealistic it discourages common sense,fact and reason. For instance contraception and abortion is not woman's healthcare because in general a woman does not need these services to stay alive. Planned parenthood is an aborton and contraception industry. They inform people about how they can remain sexually active without the responsibility of incurring a pregnancy. They explain about different contraceptive devices and how effective they are and about their applications. They explain how to use dental dams for oral sex. They explain about sexually acquired diseases. Chastity? Not promoted. Because of that they do not deserve any taxpayer support. Planned parenthood makes sure that every employees understands the billing processes of their organization. Planned parenthood actually is abusuve sexually to both men and woman because it does not discourage indiscriminate,sexually deviant behavior. Believe me Planned Parenthood knows how to make a buck without taxpayer support. If Holy Laws are made to be broken under obamacare,than we need not obey unrealistic and ignorant government mandates,that insist that something that is clearly wrong,such as denying that life begins at conception is not,because of the insistence of anyone,including the current President.
Judy Claar
7 months ago
Emma and Jo Ann, I read the article's. They are both indeed something to be Aware of.
"Obama's Nightmare": I really can not get on the ban wagon yet...though I do have compassion for Leif (sp. it), if it is actually true and actually is the case. It sounds like it is. However, It is hard to discern when one is found in terrorists territory. I am for Justice, but not at the expense of our country, and another terrorist threat or action. As much as I am not for Obama, I must question his reasoning. And know, that we the people do not, or should not, always and at all times, be aware, for safety's sake, of Everything that there is to know. My gosh, the enemy know all of Everything that there is to know too? Grant you, it would sound more suspicious, if it were an ordinary person. Perhaps I missed something...which is not hard to do. I really do not think the American people would stand for it, if it meant Every citizen. I think one would be impeached!
And the Califhate? That too is something to watch! In all the articles I read, the words for Now, are, Perhaps; Maybe. There must be more certainties. It all follows radical Islam and the Brotherhood as you know.

My conclusions tell me to wait and watch and practice and grow in Faith. To Live that Faith by Example. To let my light shine. The light of Christ. Thank you and Blessings...
Tessy
8 months ago
I agree completely that aborting an unborn baby is a sin. It is not right for any country in this world to pass any law supporting or encouraging young girls and ladies to be doing away with their unborn babies as if they were not human. By passing those laws, the countries are watering the grounds for the commission of these grievous sins and making the women involved think they were on the right track. My only disagreement is that Obama did not personally pass the Laws encouraging abortion in the United States. He did not start the vanguard nor would he stop it. He is merely but knowingly conveying this unchristian message of his party. This, to my mind, however, will not deter any good christian from voting for Obama's party if there are other ways his Party's ideologies would benefit the majority in terms of health care, etc., because judgment is for God not for human. Who are we to judge Obama now when other Parties, also have life threatening ideologies in their kitty?
Judy Claar
8 months ago
Emma and Jo Ann, Thank you! Shall get back to you on this in a few days. Am at my daughter's, and visiting Mom tomorrow. Blessings...
Rob
8 months ago
Mike, I find this whole concept of "personhood" interesting, but personally still find it as merely a means to justify something inherently wrong. I don't support the intentional killing of any human being, no matter what stage of development they are in. I don't support killing the product of conception, new borns, infants, toddlers, children, adolecents, teens, young adults, adults, middle aged adults, seniors, the elderly etc. All of these are in different stages of HUMAN development. I don't support killing humans period. I don't want war, I don't support the death penalty and I cringe everytime a criminal is killed by police.

The product of conception is distinct human life who I believe no one has the right to terminate. However, I do think this all could be simply solved by allowing the baby to become an adult and then asking them if they would prefer to be killed. At least let them make an informed choice about their life and death. Seems to me no one likes decisions being made for them. That distinct human life deserves the same choice.
Emma
8 months ago
Judy ...this was published in an editorial in America Magazine under the heading "Obama 's Nightmare ". The print edition comes out on 10/22, but is available on-line. There go those Jesuits again! :)
JoAnn
8 months ago
Judy: Hi my friend. I haven't been around so I need to catch up. Everything that Emma says is true. Start pulling up theblaze.com everyday. That's one of the internet news networks that I frequent. What Emma said was there. You just can't imagine what you will learn from that outlet. Also, go to theblaze.com/tv. You can get a 2 week free trial. Explore it. Very enlightening. They have a documentary called "The Project" that you must see. "The Project" is a Muslim manifesto. You know, sort of like Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto." It is all about how the Muslim Brotherhood is building their "Caliphate." A worldwide Caliphate. Shocking, to say the least. Please try to watch it and let me know what you think. God bless.
Judy Claar
8 months ago
Emma, Thanks for the info! When, Where, How did you get it? I can understand the Liberal media not carrying this News, but FOX? THIS is News! Anyone's worst nightmare!
Sunday blessings...
Emma
8 months ago
While everyone 's attention has been focused on the struggle between gay vs straight, pro -life vs pro -abortion, secular vs religious, and on women's rights, last month our government passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. This grants broad executive authority to use indefinite military detention without charges or trial for terrorism "suspects " without specifying what counts as prohibited activity. Judge Katherine B. Forrest issued a permanent injunction. The Obama Administration immediately requested and was issued a stay! It is now legal in the US to detain a person, possibly for life without charges or a trial. Once again, they have pitted all citizens against each other, while under the radar, they have stripped away EVERYONE 'S right to due process. Our Constitution has been trashed and not a word from any press or candidates concerning this. The American people need to come together and speak out against this. Who will be the first to "disappear? " Will it be Muslim, a gay rights activist, a priest praying the rosary outside a clinic, Occupy Protesters, Tea Partiers, bloggers who write unapproved statements, maybe even Deacon Fournier?? Doesn't say. Just says anyone "suspected " can be taken and held indefinitely. We have all been manipulated and had! Can anyone say "Zeig Heil? "
Judy Claar
8 months ago
Ken Blackwell and Bob Morrison: I applaud your article. Especially because you dare to cross the isle and speak the truth. There seems to be so many of your liberal brothers and sisters who see this crossing the isle, as traitorous? But when one has truly studied, researched and contemplated as you have, one will indeed See the Truth before their very eyes. And when one does, no excuses or fabrications or white lies can change it. Your article is full of examples that shows proof that it stands for Truth, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Conscience, in fact, All Freedoms, Liberty and Peace.). Is this then seen as a "give in" or "melt down" to your liberal friends? (Say it isn't so!)

The common ground you brought out in your article, is what we all want.That is why I so enjoyed your article. It was Fact based. Religious Freedom was something we ALREADY fought for. WHO is causing it to be an issue again?

Our government, our US of A, has always been a country who welcomed other cultures with different customs and beliefs. We worked and fought together side by side (the errors of impetuous youth and one-sided thinking like the klu klux klan do not apply here). Your examples do count. They are mighty. They are mature. They are excellent.

It sounds as if Ken and Bob have crossed the isle for this article. But I wonder? in the back of my mind, does saying this noble truth change their vote From the Obama/Biden ticket?
Prayerful Blessings...

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