To the Editor,

Religious freedom is in danger in our country. The recent drama between “Obamacare” and the Roman Catholic Church over contraceptive insurance is not about the morality of contraception nor about women’s rights. The underlying issue is over the right of separation of powers between the church and state. While personally most methods of contraception is not a moral issue with me, I must support the American Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in defending their right to practice the religion of their choice. The same rights that guarantee their protection also guarantee my protection. Sadly, however, we are allowing the sway of public opinion to trample over our rights as American citizens. The struggle that our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters should cause alarm for all of us, no matter what our denomination, faith, or even the absence of faith. Our freedoms are fragile and our silence hastens their demise.

But there is something we can do. Senate Bill 158–The Religious Freedom Amendment–will restore religious liberty to Kentucky. Activists claim the First Amendment prohibits the mention of God or displaying religious symbols in public places because it “establishes” a religion. Several U.S. Supreme Court decisions have undermined the “free exercise clause” of the First Amendment sighting that it only applies to state and local situations if the individual states legislate it in their law. Kentucky has no such statute. SB 158 will protect: (1) Religious symbols on graves and memorial sites; (2) The rights of the military to have God mentioned and prayers said at their funerals; (3) Students to be able to “thank God” in their graduation speeches; and (4) Nurses to be able to refuse to participate in abortions. I urge each pastor, church member, and anyone who loves liberty to call Rep. Jeff Hoover and Sen. David Williams at 1-800-372-7181, and leave a kind, but firm message that you want religious liberty protected in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; tell them to pass SB 158–The Religious Freedom Amendment.

A fellow patriot,

Rev. Charles A. Shoemaker,
Pastor, Albany First United Methodist Church