Religious Leaders Speak Out About Health Care Mandate

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Friday, June 08, 2012

On Friday, religious leaders lead peaceful demonstrations in over 130 cities across America to voice their opposition to the Health Care Act, stating the legislation is an impediment of religious freedom.

The "Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally" is just the latest in a string of events that have ordinary Americans coming together to fight for the opportunity to have their voices heard and to advocate for the religious freedom of all Americans.

In an address at the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, Eric Schiedler, co-director of the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally Coalition, said: "With the HHS mandate the Obama administration is driving faith institutions from the public square, by forcing them to violate their foundational principles.

He continued: "That is why we have to take to the American public square on June 8 for the Stand Up for Religious Freedom national rally with a public demonstration of both our faith and our patriotism."

Cardinal Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura and Board Member of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, expressed his deep commitment to upholding the religious liberty for all.

"Both as Christians and as Americans, we must stand steadfast in our defense of this fundamental element of human dignity, the freedom of conscience; the innate right to the free exercise of conscience has been at very core of the life of our nation," said the Cardinal.

Nirj Deva, President of the International Committee on Human Dignity, echoed the sentiments of other religious leaders in that the action taken by Americans to prevent this negation of religious liberty is of the utmost importance.

"I take heart from the resolute witness shown by America's Protestants and Catholics standing together in this way … is one of the greatest and most indisputable fruits of ecumenical dialogue that we have seen in decades; and is having a noticeable effect on the national debate. I urge all Christians to continue their testament … preserve religious liberty and the right to exercise a free conscience," he advised.