Protection of Freedom of Conscience

Show notes:

In the first segment, our panelists delve into “Freedom of Conscience vs Compelling Public Interest.” The First Amendment, often called the “first liberty,” enshrines freedom of conscience, prohibiting government establishment of religion. This liberty extends to diverse beliefs. Conscience clauses safeguard rights like conscientious objection, yet accommodations are subject to certain limits, especially in compelling public interest cases like healthcare or education. Religious employers can uphold specific beliefs in hiring, protected under statutory exemptions. Join us to explore these intricate intersections of freedom and duty.

In the second segment of the show, we delve into the court case “Maxon v. Fuller Theological Seminary.” Fuller Theological Seminary, a prominent Christian graduate institution, upholds community standards rooted in traditional Christian beliefs. These standards emphasize marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. Despite this, two individuals, Joanna Maxon and Nathan Brittsan, sued Fuller after violating these standards by entering same-sex marriages. The Ninth Circuit’s unanimous decision in December 2021 upheld Fuller’s right to maintain its religious principles, safeguarding the autonomy of faith-based educational institutions.

In the final segment, Tell Me Something I Don’t Know, each panelist quickly shares interesting pieces of information related to religious freedom.

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About the Show:
Faith and Politics is a show dedicated to discussing issues surrounding the intersection of Church, State and politics and the examination of whether you are allowing your faith to shape your politics or your politics starting to shape your faith. What do you do when God and government come face to face?

Panelists:
Bettina Krause, Editor of Liberty Magazine; Todd McFarland, Deputy General Counsel General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Dr. Jeffrey Rosario, Assistant Professor, Religion -Theological Studies Loma Linda University; and Tim Schultz, President of 1st Amendment Partnership-An organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom for Americans of all faiths.

About Us:
North American Division Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) is a ministry dedicated to proclaiming and defending the God-given gift of religious freedom which is integral to our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians. Learn more about PARL at www.religiousliberty.info.