Religious Freedom vs. Freedom to Worship

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 18, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Since words, actually, do mean something, we must understand the difference between the constitutional “free exercise” of religion and the term “freedom of worship.” The free exercise of religion assured in Amendment One of The Constitution of the United States Bill of Rights was ratified by the states in 1791.

That has not changed … but the exercise of religious freedom is always under attack. The current move is to change the term from “free exercise” of religionto “freedom of worship,” meaning we could worship in church or behind closed doors, but worship outside the confines of a church could be prohibited.

This has become a fresh issue under Obamacare because employers and employees, who have religious objections to contraception and abortion-inducing drugs, are forced to disregard their religious beliefs and comply with Obamacare’s insurance provisions, which is especially egregious to employers and employees of churches and other religious entities. Continue reading →