Obama Praises National Religious Freedom Day; Conservatives Point Out 'Irony'
President Barack Obama marked National Religious Freedom Day by releasing a statement on Wednesday celebrating the event, although some conservative groups have argued that his administration's policies go against that very freedom.
"Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose," Obama began in his statement. "Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture."
National Religious Freedom Day is celebrated annually on Jan. 16, commemorating the Virginia General Assembly's adoption of Thomas Jefferson's landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Jan. 16, 1786. The document was essential for fostering the religious freedom clause in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
In his statement, Obama reminded the nation that Americans of every faith have shaped the country, and praised the pilgrims, pioneers and protesters who have fought for abolition, women's suffrage and civil rights.
"Each generation has seen people of different faiths join together to advance peace, justice, and dignity for all," the president's statement read. "Today, we also remember that religious liberty is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe. This freedom is an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace."
Some conservative groups, like anti-abortion source LifeNews.com, have called Obama's statement "ironic," however, and said that the current White House administration has pushed some big laws that go against religious freedom, such as the Affordable Care Act provision of Obamacare which mandates employers to provide contraceptive coverage in their employees' health plans.
Read more at www.christianpost.com.
Hot Trends
-
Amy Grant Returns with a Collection of Deep Cuts
-
"The King of Kings" Will Be in Theaters April 11
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
Greg LaFollette Journeys with Jesus to the Cross on "Holy Week Volume Two"
-
Linda Boles Releases New Single “Creator”
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Broken Chalice Unveils Strikingly Powerful Music Video For Debut Single “Burn It Down”
-
Don't Miss the 3 Heath Brothers' "We Need Revival"
-
Holly Halliwell Directs Listeners to God with "I'm Not My God"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
The Jim Brady Trio Debuts Their New Album and Single (Listen to the New Single Here)
-
Ivan Parker Has Cancer and Needs Our Help
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
The LeFevre Quartet Teams Up with Joseph Habedank on Their New Single, "Troubled"
Most Popular
-
Amy Grant Returns with a Collection of Deep Cuts
-
"The King of Kings" Will Be in Theaters April 11
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
Greg LaFollette Journeys with Jesus to the Cross on "Holy Week Volume Two"
-
Linda Boles Releases New Single “Creator”
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Broken Chalice Unveils Strikingly Powerful Music Video For Debut Single “Burn It Down”
-
Don't Miss the 3 Heath Brothers' "We Need Revival"
-
Holly Halliwell Directs Listeners to God with "I'm Not My God"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
The Jim Brady Trio Debuts Their New Album and Single (Listen to the New Single Here)
-
Ivan Parker Has Cancer and Needs Our Help
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
The LeFevre Quartet Teams Up with Joseph Habedank on Their New Single, "Troubled"