Last spring, President Trump issued an executive order that created a Religious Liberty Commission. The order acknowledged that religious liberty is a hallmark of American society that is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. To be sure, religious liberty is essential to authentic human flourishing. Unfortunately, in recent years progressives have attacked America’s first freedom, often by championing laws and policies that coerce the consciences of religious people—especially social conservatives.
The order stipulates that, “The Commission shall produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, the impact of religious liberty on American society, current threats to domestic religious liberty, strategies to preserve and enhance religious liberty protections for future generations, and programs to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism.” The Commission’s report will be published in June, in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick chairs the 15-member Religious Liberty Commission, which includes a dozen public figures, scholars, lawyers, and clergy, in addition to three ex officio members who are officials in the second Trump Administration. Commission members represent Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish traditions. The Commission has held seven public hearings since its establishment, most recently on April 13 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The hearing included panels on the history of religious freedom and the relationship between church and state.
Immediately following the hearing, Chairman Patrick found himself at the center of controversy for his pointed remarks about church and state. “It is time to set the record straight: There is no such thing as ‘separation of church and state’ in the Constitution. For too long, the anti-God left has used this phrase to suppress people of religion in our country. During all 7 Commission hearings, witness after witness testified that the so-called ‘separation of church and state’ was used to take their God-given religious liberty rights away.” According to Patrick, church-state separation is “the biggest lie that’s been told in America since our founding,” and it represents a clear and present danger to religious freedom.
Click Here to Read More (Originally Published at World Magazine)