Looking at my inbox this week shows several accumulated articles that point to further erosion of religious freedom and tolerance that should be noted. 

First, Steve Myers and I did a BT Daily this morning highlighting the Obama administration's effort to dictate to religious bodies how they define health care benefits. The enacted health care legislation that begins next year says to churches and religious bodies they must provide benefites to employers for birth contral and abortion. The Catholic church is up in arms about this. This issue crosses religious lines and impacts all faiths. Former presidential candidate and Baptist minister, Mike Huckabee, is quoted as saying "we are all Catholics" over this issue. 

I wouldn't use those words but at least on this issue we would all find common ground. Government legislation that tells a religious body they must provide funding for decisions that violate their belief is a serious breach of liberty. We discuss this in our video.

Then I saw an article in the Financial Times that describes Hungary's curtailing of official recognition for more than 300 denominations. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government action has caused concern in both the EU and US. With no consultation of established churches Hungary enacted a law which acknowledges 14 "historical churches. Those recognized include, Catholic, Calvinist and at least three Jewish denominations. Those stripped of offical status include Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witness and local Church of England groups. Also no longer recognized are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Bahai groups.

These churchs can appeal their status but it is lengthy and culminates in Parliament, which involves in the end a political decision based on who holds the majority. Crisits say this violates basic ungarian law and is a serious infringment on religious liberty. Given Hungary's long history of struggle for liberty this action is surprising. Anything can happen when a majority hold power.

One final piece comes from California where the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a California propositiont that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 had been voted on and passed by citizens in a recent election. This case deals with finer points of constituional law but it effectively opens a path to review by the United States Supreme Court. There, it promises to be decided by a narrow majority of only one vote. It will be interesting to watch.

This case represents actions by a court to define not only public morality but the institution of marriage, the building block of any stable society. It further opens the door to a redefining of marriage into something far beyond what the Bible clearly defines–a sacred union between a man and a woman. Its ramifications will be devastating for the nation.

Religious freedom, free from any intrusion by government, is a legal right in America, long defended in many cases. To circumvent basic tenets of this historic God-ordained right is serious. While these listed today may not prevent any of us from freedom of assembly according to our conscience they can represent the first steps toward intolerance and persecution, and even in a free society this must we vigilently watched.

The apostles James and John were threatened with punishment when they preached the truth of Christ's resurrection to the people of Jerusalem. When told to cease by the religious authoritties they gave an answer that echoes down to us today: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

There will be a day when many of us will have to make the same declaration. God give us the strength to follow in their footsteps.