Christian Politics in the United States

[Long2Retire]

Et Tu, Brute? Christians for Obama May Just Be Asking That

http://clashdaily.com/2014/07/et-tu-brute-christians-obama-may-just-asking/

Written by Suzanne Olden on July 9, 2014
While it seems incredible to most Christians that any other Christians would back Obama, many did. Those who did may just be finding out that he won’t be repaying the favor when it comes to protecting their religious liberty. Given his track record with the faithful, I’m not sure why it would shock anyone.

The decision handed down two weeks ago in the Hobby Lobby case reinforced that there are certain religious liberties applicable to people and companies. The case dealt with the narrow issue of abortifacient contraceptives and the Obamacare mandate that all employers provide health insurance that pays for them. The decision came down on the side of the faithful. Since no one was denied access to the drugs, the Court basically said those whose faith dictates that providing and using them is a violation of the tenets of their faith cannot be forced to pay for it. If you want it, you can get it, you just have to pay for it yourself. Put on your big girl panties and stop whining.

Now some religious leaders are asking the White House to make an exception to an anticipated Executive Order. The order will be one that President “Pen” announced he would be making to act on an issue that Congress is currently working on: banning federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The White House won’t say whether it will make a carve out protecting the religious rights of faith-based organizations from being forced to hire LGBT people if they have a religious objection to their choice of lifestyle. However, we all know the answer to that question.

Obama, as usual, is jumping the gun in his quest to force his immorality of the rest of America. First, his anticipated executive order is being done to again circumvent Congress. After making the usual noise about “if Congress won’t act, I will”, like a stomp-footed 3 year old, he failed to mention that the Congress IS taking action. The Senate passed a proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The House hasn’t taken action on it at the moment, but there is no word that they won’t.

Of course Obama’s action may also be taken because the proposed legislation DOES have an exemption for people of faith. Congress, ever mindful of the smackdown that Obamacare has taken lately about faith based exceptions, made sure to specifically make sure the law does not apply to a broad range of faith-based organizations, from churches to religious-service groups to religious newspapers. They won’t have to hire gays or transgenders in violation of their moral principles. And they shouldn’t be forced to do so.

Obama supporters like Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, Stephen Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at Catholic University, members of the group Catholics for Obama, former members of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, or even Michael Wear, who directed Obama’s political outreach to religious groups in the 2012 campaign, are worried. They are so worried that they wrote and signed a letter to Obama about it. They are calling for Obama to make this exception for their organizations and all faith based organizations that “protection for one group not come at the expense of faith communities whose religious identity and beliefs motivate them to serve those in need.” They say they simply want to be heard and respected. They want Obama to hear and respect their faith. Are you laughing hard enough at that yet?

Of course many of these same people now objecting to being forced to do something that violates their religious doctrines had no objection to ruling after ruling forcing owners of small businesses to provide services over THEIR faith based objections to same sex marriage. I heard exactly NONE of the people in this group standing up to say “hey, people with religious objections shouldn’t be forced to provide services against their faith.” Yes for me but not for thee? Interesting…

Personally, I’m beyond disgusted that a very, very small percentage of the population have such a huge say over the lives and morals of the rest of society. The level of intolerance aimed at people of faith is unacceptable, but politically correct. While I scoff at the group that felt it necessary to write this, I hope they are successful. Not because they deserve it. They don’t. They gave that up the minute they supported the agenda of a President hostile to Christians, their faith and morals. I do, however, hope they succeed because it will protect those of faith who didn’t cave to the whim of the day and rightfully stood their ground.

We can take back our society from all that ails it, but those who have been quietly going along to get along in fear of being labeled or called names need to grow a backbone and stand up for what is right. Those of us who have been saying it all along need to be louder. We can make a difference.