Gov. Ricketts Proclaims “Religious Freedom Day”

Gov. Ricketts Proclaims “Religious Freedom Day”
Courtesy/Pastor William Femi Awodele (podium) and Gov. Ricketts (in back of podium) at Tuesday morning’s media conference.
January 12th, 2021 | Chris Cottrell

Video from today’s press briefing is available by clicking here.

LINCOLN – On Tuesday, Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed January 16, 2021 as “Religious Freedom Day” in Nebraska.  The Governor noted the central place of religious freedom in both the U.S. Constitution and the State of Nebraska Constitution.  Article I-4 of the Nebraska Constitution recognizes that “All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”

Sister Renée Mirkes, PhD, gave remarks on the importance of respecting religious freedom in civil society.  Sister Mirkes directs the ethics division of the Saint Paul VI Institute in Omaha.  Pastor William Femi Awodele, Executive Director of Christian Couples Fellowship International, shared his insights on the uniqueness of the U.S. Constitution and its guarantee of religious freedom.

This morning, Gov. Ricketts also announced that he has issued an executive order to extend the waiver exempting public meetings from the requirement to conduct in-person meetings.  The exemption will last through April 30, 2021.  The executive order is available by clicking here.

Gov. Ricketts: Religious Freedom

  • Religious freedom is the first freedom listed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  That’s no accident.  Religious freedom is the cornerstone of a free society.
  • The Founders of the U.S. recognized the importance of religion to the health of our Republic.  They also knew that religion flourishes best when practiced without coercion.
  • Throughout the pandemic, we’ve worked to protect religious freedom.
  • We’ve seen other states that have treated houses of worship unfairly, keeping them shut.
  • While many communities took extra precautions, the State never forced houses of worship to close in Nebraska.
  • Churches and faith communities across the state are vital to helping keep people connected.
  • I want to thank people of every faith who have been working to creatively keep their community connected during this difficult time.
  • While we enjoy great freedoms here in Nebraska, millions suffer persecution around the world.

o  The Chinese Communist Party persecutes Uighur Muslims, placing them in concentration camps, while spinning this as a social good on Twitter.

o  North Korea has placed Christians in labor camps and tortures them.

o  Pakistan is forcing religious minorities to convert to Islam.

  • Religious freedom cannot be taken for granted, even here in America.
  • We must vigilantly support religious liberties—both at home and abroad—against those who would encroach upon them.

Sister Mirkes: Religious Freedom

  • On behalf of pro-life healthcare providers and their patients, I want to thank Governor Ricketts for annually dedicating a day to celebrate and ponder the First Amendment civil right of religious freedom.
  • This day is the perfect occasion to engage the minds and hearts of those involved in healthcare administration and political life to work together in the state of Nebraska to strengthen and expand legislative protections for the right of conscientious objection in healthcare.
  • Pro-life religious patients have a right to access women’s healthcare that conforms to the light of their well-informed conscience.

 

William Femi Awodele: Religious Freedom

  • Over 28 years ago I immigrated to the United States.  About 25 years ago, I became a citizen, and 20 years ago I heeded a call to full-time ministry.
  • That journey changed my view of the intersection of faith and governance.
  • As I started to counsel people in ministry and speak at conferences, I realized that what made America unique is its document of governance—the Constitution.
  • We’re blessed to live in a state and a country where our religious freedom to worship God is respected, and we’ve created a day dedicated to it.
  • Our founding documents, both as a country and state, proclaim gratitude to God and our right to worship.
  • As President John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
  • The government can help proclaim the importance of our freedoms and write policies that enhance those freedoms.
  • Our nation is going through a dark season right now with regard to religious freedom.  I have been banned twice on social media now.  The importance of dedicating this day is vital.

Video of today’s briefing can be found by clicking here.

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Gov. Ricketts Proclaims “Religious Freedom Day”

January 13th, 2020 | Chris Cottrell

Gov. Ricketts hosts State Senators, faith leaders, and

non-profits to celebrate Religious Freedom Day in Nebraska.

 

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation declaring January 16, 2020 as “Religious Freedom Day” in Nebraska.  Governor Ricketts was joined at the ceremony by State Senators, faith leaders, educators, and representatives from the Nebraska Family Alliance and Nebraska Catholic Conference.  Religious Freedom Day is observed nationwide on January 16th, which is the anniversary of the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.

“Religious freedom is the first freedom listed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  That’s no accident,” said Gov. Ricketts.  “Religious freedom is the cornerstone of a free society.  The Founders of the U.S. recognized the importance of religion to the health of our Republic.  They also knew that religion flourishes best when practiced without coercion.  Nebraskans are blessed with religious liberty, and they exercise this freedom by standing up for the most vulnerable, serving the disadvantaged, and seeking the well-being of their neighbors.”

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Article I-4 of the Nebraska Constitution recognizes that “All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”

“Religious liberty is deeply rooted in the heart of America, and it is deeply rooted in the heart of every human person in our search for truth, meaning, and ultimately, for God,” said Tom Venzor, Executive Director of Nebraska Catholic Conference.  “Religious liberty allows us to serve the poor, educate the young, work for the common good, and so much more.  The Nebraska Catholic Conference is committed to working with fellow citizens and with Governor Ricketts, our state senators, and other elected officials to ensure that religious liberty is protected, defended, and celebrated in our state.”

Governor Ricketts has taken steps to support religious freedom in Nebraska.  In 2017, Governor Ricketts signed LB62, a bill which ended criminal penalties for public school teachers wearing religious garb.  LB62 was carried through the Nebraska Legislature by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk.

“Religious liberty is our most foundational freedom, and a sacred human right we are committed to defending for all Nebraskans,” said Karen Bowling, Executive Director of the Nebraska Family Alliance.  “The First Amendment guarantees that no one, regardless of their beliefs, is punished by the government or coerced into retreating from civil and political life as the price for following their faith.  Today’s press conference and proclamation signing demonstrates the diverse and passionate support for religious freedom in Nebraska.  Nebraska Family Alliance is proud to stand alongside Governor Ricketts today in support of this irreplaceable American freedom.”

In the United States, small business owners from florists to bakers have been harassed for conducting their businesses in accordance with their religious convictions.  The Supreme Court’s June 2018 ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission provided much-needed reaffirmation of the right to religious freedom in America.  Even so, the right to religious freedom requires vigilant defense.

While religious freedom is generally respected in the United States, religious persons around the globe face harsh persecution for their beliefs.  Just before Christmas, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) launched a crackdown of Chinese house churches.  The PRC also continues its mistreatment of Uighur Muslims.  On December 18th, the U.S. State Department named Burma, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, PRC, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern in light of their violations of religious freedom.  The 2019 Report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is available by clicking here.

More information regarding Religious Freedom Day can be found at www.ReligiousFreedomDay.com.

Watch video from today’s ceremony by clicking here.

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