Religious Freedom Rally Today

Today is the 223rd anniversary of the introduction of the Bill of Rights by James Madison.  The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights pertains to Freedom of Speech, Press and Religion.  Our forefathers knew way back in the 1700's that individual rights and liberties must be protected, even from our government.  The Bill of Rights is not a new idea however.  It came from England back in the 1600's to prevent abuses of power by the monarchy. The English Bill of Rights put serious constraints on royal power.  Our Constitution and Bill of Rights balances out the power of our government~ Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches.  We, the people, vote in our legislators to represent our individual and community needs and values.

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Our nation's leaders determined that America needed it's own Bill of Rights.  As previously mentioned, the First Amendment includes Freedom of Religion.  The HHS Mandate is violating that right because it is telling a religious institution that they have "to provide preventive services for women which includes sterilization, contraception, morning after pill, and the abortion inducing drug "Ella".  HHS' rule only allows a very narrow exemption for religious employers.  Catholic institutions providing education, health care and charitable services do not qualify for this exemption.

This is why 43 Catholic Institutions are suing the Obama Administration over the HHS Mandate.  But it must be said, this is not a Catholic issue either.  It is an ecumenical issue that will affect all Christians.

This is why every diocese in the United States is asking for individual members to learn more about what this HHS Mandate is all about and do something about it.  Let your congress men and women know where you stand.

This is not about women's reproductive rights.  

This is about religious freedom here in the United States.

Today was the second Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally and the numbers are still coming in but as of 4pm, there were over 38,000 people in 76 participating cities.  There was over 160 different rallies today so that number is definitely much higher!  I went to the one in Woodstock, IL and it was estimated that there were over 450 people standing up for religious freedom!

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I brought my son today because I felt it was "history in the making"!  He needs to know how the rights of people can be in jeopardy and how to peacefully stand up for your rights!

"What use it, my brethen, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?...even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."  James 2:14 & 17

Blessings,

Noreen