Letter: Religious liberty should not be used as a weapon

This March 5, 2009, file photo shows the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. The Supreme Court argued Monday, March 18, 2013. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

What’s the biggest threat to religious freedom in America today? pointed out valid concerns about how those holding minority religious beliefs are under attack. Certainly, steps should be taken to protect those who feel under siege. Troy, DuBois, Moore and Rogers all make valid arguments. However, they miss a key element.

An even greater threat to religious freedom is the manipulation of those rights to excuse discrimination. A recent study found that the five most pro-religion justices all currently sit on the Supreme Court, which explains why rights and exemptions for the religious continue to gain ground at an incredible rate. Some view this as protection of religious liberty, but there’s may be a more sinister side effect to this trend.

Using religious liberty to push anti-LGBTQ+ views and to exempt businesses and organizations from laws on account of religion will undermine the very concept and value of religious freedom in the minds of the majority, who acknowledge that religion should not be used as a weapon.

In order to properly protect religious freedom, we must bolster, not undermine civil and human rights and hold our government accountable to protect all inherent liberties, not elevating religious freedom above all else.

Roy Speckhardt

Washington, D.C.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/33qNfpu