A Sobering Look at Current and Potential Religious-Freedom Challenges

[Michie]

COMMENTARY: Court battles and cultural clashes reveal the growing threat to religious liberty in America today.

Religious freedom in America is under attack as never before. With more and more clashes ending up in court, let’s consider the principles that support the operation of religion and the exercise of belief in civil society. They have never been more important.

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Sincerity​

First, although courts should avoid questioning the “truth” of a particular belief, there are occasions when it is proper to demand that a person or group explain or provide supporting evidence of the sincerity of their belief. The manipulation of the principles and legal precedent of religious freedom in a desperate attempt to undermine new state laws restricting abortion is a perfect example.

The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit in state court on behalf of “Hoosier Jews for Choice” and four anonymous women. Their complaint asserts that Judaism, Islam, Unitarian Universalism and paganism demand unfettered abortion access and the state’s new law infringes on their religious beliefs and violates Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

Continued below.

A Sobering Look at Current and Potential Religious-Freedom Challenges

COMMENTARY: Court battles and cultural clashes reveal the growing threat to religious liberty in America today.

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