The White House Religious Liberty Commission, led by Texas Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has released a draft report detailing the threats to religious liberty in America and recommending policies to protect this fundamental freedom.
During a recent Oval Office address, Dr. Phil McGraw, a cultural and political figure on the commission, highlighted the widespread persecution of Christians in various professions, including healthcare, the military, and education.
“What stuck out for me is how many Americans showed up saying that they were persecuted in health care, military, education – different walks of life – for living their faith and standing up for their faith,” Dr. Phil said. “It's not just the liberty to choose which house of worship they want, it's actually getting into their daily life, and they're being persecuted in their jobs.”
Dr. Phil, a Christian who has become more outspoken about his faith in recent years, noted that the persecution of Christians is not limited to any particular profession or industry.
According to the commission's report, the Justice Department should release guidance clarifying the proper understanding of the Establishment Clause and separation of church and state. The report also recommends that public officials who believe a person under their supervision improperly engaged in religious expression must provide a written explanation showing how such conduct violated the Constitution or a provision of law.
Other policy recommendations include sharing "Know Your Rights" posters on religious freedom in workplaces, confirming more judges willing to consider religious liberty cases, and creating a "Presidential Medal of Religious Liberty and First Freedom Hero Awards" to recognize Americans who stand up for religious freedom and protect citizens' Constitutional rights.
Texas Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emphasized that the separation of church and state is not in the Constitution, and that the phrase "separation of church and state" should have no power over people of all faiths in America.
The commission's recommendations aim to protect religious liberty, which is a cornerstone of the country's constitutional tradition. The draft report is a crucial step in addressing the threats to this fundamental freedom and ensuring that all Americans can live out their faith without fear of persecution.
