Trump Administration preserve conscience rights for health care employees
The National Day of Prayer, which is commemorated on the first Thursday of May, for the last three years under the Trump Administration, has provided an opportunity to address religious freedom. This year was no exception, as the Department of Health and Human Services issued new regulations intended to protect the conscience rights of those in the health care field.
The Susan B. Anthony List, in a press release, stated that, it "praised the Trump administration for finalizing new regulations to strengthen enforcement of federal laws protecting the conscience rights of health care personnel and other entities who do not want to participate in abortion. The regulations clarify what recourse is available to victims of discrimination under the law and what penalties the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Civil Rights may enforce for violations."
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser stated, "Last year the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division of the Office of Civil Rights was established at HHS to investigate and address conscience violations," and said these regulations "go even further to put teeth back in the law..." She added, "As some states attempt to expand abortion on demand through birth, with no conscience protections whatsoever, these regulations underscore the Trump administration’s seriousness about standing up for pro-life health care workers and institutions."
T-shirt conflict leads to coach stepping down
A story on the ChristianHeadlines.com documents unfortunate developments surrounding the Animas High School basketball team in New Mexico, which wore t-shirts in pre-game warmups at a game in February that said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This elicited a response of animus by the so-called Freedom from Religion Foundation, which sent a threatening letter to the school district.
The superintendent reported to the FFRF that the matter had been handled. She said that the coach of the team had resigned. According to Christian Headlines, the superintendent, Loren Cushman, wrote: “I attended the game in question,” adding, “When I observed the players wearing the t-shirts during pregame warmup, I immediately questioned the coach and athletic director.” She told the organization that, according to the article, a "local religious group" provided the shirts. And, she gave instructions this was not to take place again. The coach apparently was also taking part in a Bible study sponsored by a local group and even led the study from time to time.
The piece quoted Todd Starnes of Fox News, who wrote: "It’s a mighty sad day in America when a high school basketball coach is deemed unfit because he is a follower of Jesus..." The article also states:
Shawn Akers, dean of Liberty University’s Helms School of Government from 2010 to 2018, says the Constitution’s First Amendment has been misconstrued to mean something the Founders never intended. “All of the Founders,” he said. “looked to … Judeo-Christian morality.’Arizona Governor faces backlash over Easter message
The governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, is facing opposition over an Easter message posted on Facebook, according to FoxNews.com. The message, which contained "a cross, a Bible verse, and the phrase, 'He is risen,'" was charged to be unconstitutional by the group, Secular Communities for Arizona, who called for the post to be taken down.
Ducey isn't backing down. He is quoted as saying:
“We won’t be removing this post. Ever. Nor will we be removing our posts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Palm Sunday, Passover or any other religious holiday,” he tweeted. “We support the First Amendment, and are happy to provide copies of the Constitution to anyone who hasn’t read it.”The article points out, "Many congratulated Ducey for not backing down amid the pressure, though some Facebook users sided with the secular group and criticized the governor on his original post."
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