More Political Freedom to Religion?
Last week President Trump signed an executive order to help ease political restrictions on churches. Basically, it doesn't change the law (this isn't the job of the president) but " it directs agencies enforcing the related laws to refrain from interfering with houses of worship and other religiously affiliated organizations."
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865679214/Trump-to-ease-political-restrictions-on-churches-with-new-executive-order.html
Essentially it attempts to reduce the fear that non-profit religions have on losing tax-exempt status if the leaders of the church make political statements, or if they church facilities are used for political means.
I've read a few articles about this executive order, but I liked the Deseret News comment, "Thursday's executive order does not address the relationship between religious freedom protections and LGBT nondiscrimination law — a delicate balance that has been unsettled since the Supreme Court's legalized same-sex marriage in June 2015."
I did not think it would change the LDS Church's stance, and today I read that this is the case.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865679257/LDS-Church-says-Trumps-order-easing-political-restrictions-wont-alter-current-stance.html?pg=all
Basically, being an international church, the LDS Church needs to maintain a neutral stance except where issues present "significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interest of the church," (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/official-statement/political-neutrality).
However, while this is a very diplomatic approach, it is also a very wise approach.
What we will start to see happening are leaders of religious organizations making political statements. Nothing wrong with that. But, there will also be more political actions made be churches, and members of churches, in the name of their church. Statements perceived by the liberals as being racist, bigoted, intolerant, biased, etc. will begin to be taken and used against the churches and religions in general.
This perceived "religious freedom" given to churches will add fuel to the fire of anti-religious sentiment, and those who feel that too many religions are intolerant and bigoted, particularly in regards to the LGBTQ community.
There will be increasing persecution of Christians, as well as other Christian religions--including the LDS Church. There will be increasing pressure on churches to conform to liberal-perceived tolerance and acceptance of all who may want to worship with the religious group, but who may feel ostracized, mistreated, or "illegally" restricted from certain performances, such as same-sex marriage.
I think that the tax-exempt status will eventually be used as bait to get churches to perform same-sex marriages. Those who don't, will lose their tax-exempt status. The LDS Church, and others, will just stop performing the legal marriage. Couples will have to get married civilly first, and then receive their "spiritual" church-marriage. In the case of LDS couples, they will need to be married civilly first, and can then receive a temple sealing.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865679214/Trump-to-ease-political-restrictions-on-churches-with-new-executive-order.html
Essentially it attempts to reduce the fear that non-profit religions have on losing tax-exempt status if the leaders of the church make political statements, or if they church facilities are used for political means.
I've read a few articles about this executive order, but I liked the Deseret News comment, "Thursday's executive order does not address the relationship between religious freedom protections and LGBT nondiscrimination law — a delicate balance that has been unsettled since the Supreme Court's legalized same-sex marriage in June 2015."
I did not think it would change the LDS Church's stance, and today I read that this is the case.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865679257/LDS-Church-says-Trumps-order-easing-political-restrictions-wont-alter-current-stance.html?pg=all
Basically, being an international church, the LDS Church needs to maintain a neutral stance except where issues present "significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interest of the church," (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/official-statement/political-neutrality).
However, while this is a very diplomatic approach, it is also a very wise approach.
What we will start to see happening are leaders of religious organizations making political statements. Nothing wrong with that. But, there will also be more political actions made be churches, and members of churches, in the name of their church. Statements perceived by the liberals as being racist, bigoted, intolerant, biased, etc. will begin to be taken and used against the churches and religions in general.
This perceived "religious freedom" given to churches will add fuel to the fire of anti-religious sentiment, and those who feel that too many religions are intolerant and bigoted, particularly in regards to the LGBTQ community.
There will be increasing persecution of Christians, as well as other Christian religions--including the LDS Church. There will be increasing pressure on churches to conform to liberal-perceived tolerance and acceptance of all who may want to worship with the religious group, but who may feel ostracized, mistreated, or "illegally" restricted from certain performances, such as same-sex marriage.
I think that the tax-exempt status will eventually be used as bait to get churches to perform same-sex marriages. Those who don't, will lose their tax-exempt status. The LDS Church, and others, will just stop performing the legal marriage. Couples will have to get married civilly first, and then receive their "spiritual" church-marriage. In the case of LDS couples, they will need to be married civilly first, and can then receive a temple sealing.
Comments
Post a Comment