March 10, 2009

Will Abortion Advocates Trump the Free Exercise of Religion?

Two abortion advocates in the General Assembly have filed a bill that clearly infringes on the religious liberty rights of religious-based hospitals. And failure to comply with the law will amount to medical malpractice. Echoing through the years comes the warning of 20th-century German theologian Martin Niemoller. Will we take his words to heart? Will our legislators?

Protecting Religious Liberty

With at least one church, synagogue, or mosque on virtually every corner, you’d think that religious liberty would be safe in Tennessee and respected by our public officials and government employees. But last week a minister in Chattanooga called when some parents complained that the teacher of their elementary school-aged children would not let them read the Bible during their free reading period. And as our other article suggests, there are other threats to the right to the free exercise of our religion pending before our legislators. Will legislators support proposed legislation that would provide protection for us all?

Abortion Debate Begins

The debate over the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 127 (and a companion House version known as HJR 0066), the proposal to amend our state constitution to once again make it neutral on the issue of abortion rights, will begin in earnest this week. And the political games have already begun.

Ministers’ Day on the Hill

March 17th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (CST), The Family Action Council’s Third Annual Ministers’ Day on the Hill will convene. It is a day for ministers from across the state to meet to worship, fellowship, and learn more about the issues of our day. It is also day of service to our elected legislators through corporate and personal prayer for them. If you are minister, we would love to have you join us. If you are not a minister, perhaps you would want to encourage your minister to attend.

Blessings,

David Fowler

President, Family Action of Tennessee