Government Instrusion on Religious Liberty

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is clear.  We are guaranteed the right to freely exercise our religion, through both our conduct and speech.  Unfortunately, when it comes to the rights of individuals to express their religious beliefs, government interference is far too common. 

In San Diego, California, a pastor was recently approached by a county code enforcement officer regarding a weekly Bible study held at his home.  The official then issued an Administrative Citation Warning and a Cease and Desist Order barring the pastor and his wife from holding any further Bible studies at their home until they obtained a major use permit.  This type of permit costs several thousand dollars and is not required for home-based bible studies.  With the help of an allied attorney, Dean Broyles, the pastor fought the county and won!

The San Diego City Counsel and its Chief Administrative Officer, Walter F. Ekard, have recognized the county’s mistake and have rescinded the citation.  Mr. Ekard apologized to the pastor and his church stating,  "Review of the situation shows that no administrative citation warning should have been issued and that a major use permit is not required for the Bible study you have in your home."  The pastor and his wife took a courageous and all too necessary stand.   

Another incident of government intrusion on religious liberty occurred in Los Angeles, CA. A student attending the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) was denied the right to thank Jesus during a personal statement which was to be read aloud during her graduation ceremony. Christina Popa, along with several other students, were awarded the honor of having their personal statements read aloud at the University’s commencement ceremony.  However, during the review process, she was told by a faculty advisor that she could not thank “Jesus” in her statement and instead would have to thank “God” because thanking “Jesus” might be offensive.  Ms. Popa made the denial of her First Amendment rights known to the UCLA chancellor, Gene Block, who quickly rectified the situation. Ms. Popa will now be allowed to thank Jesus at the UCLA graduation ceremony this coming Saturday.

These two occurrences are evidence of both the frequency and ease with which a Government official can unlawfully infringe upon one's religious liberties.  It is important we continue to fight for our constitutionally guaranteed rights.  In the two instances above and countless Advocates cases, individuals have taken a stand and, in doing so, fought for the religious liberty each of us cherishes.  Advocates seeks to effect positive change in law and culture, one case at a time. 

This information is provided by Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a non-profit religious law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts!  To help us in our ongoing battle for religious freedom, click here to donate to Advocates.