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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJindal: ‘The war over religious liberty is a war over free speech’
By Scott Kaufman
Sunday, May 11, 2014 10:38 EDT
Speaking at Liberty Universitys 2014 Commencement yesterday, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) attacked elite liberals who, he claimed, have launched an assault on the freedom of expression in all areas of life.
Today the American people, whether they know it or not, are mired in a silent war, Jindal began. It is a war a silent war against religious liberty. He claimed that Obama Administrations argument against Hobby Lobby strikes at the core of our understanding of the free exercise of religion.
Under the Obama regime, he continued, you have protection under the First Amendment as an individual, but the instant you start a business, you lose those protections. And that brings us to the second front in this silent war: the attack on our freedom of association as people of faith.
Jindal claimed that the Obama Administration would prevent religious groups from selecting their own ministers or rabbis. Thankfully, he said, the Supreme Court decided to shoot down the administration, so for the time being, at least, the federal government doesnt get to decide who can preach the Gospel.
Make no mistake the war over religious liberty is a war over free speech. Without the first, there is no such thing as the second.
He then discussed the Duck Dynasty controversy. You may think that I was defending the Robertsons simply because I am the governor of their home state, the great state of Louisiana, he said. You would be wrong about that. I defended them because they have every right to speak their minds.
The real issue is that liberals are doing everything in their power to silence debate. The new left in America is completely intolerant of people of faith, Jindal said. The left no longer wants to debate. They simply want to silence us.
As you well know, he continued, the same thing happened again this week, with another demonstration of intolerance from the entertainment industry. HGTV was working on a new show featuring the Benham brothers twin brothers who graduated from right here at Liberty University in 1998.
I know theyve already been recognized, Jindal said, but Id like to ask them to stand so we can give them another round of applause for their courage and grace. HGTV cancelled the show this week, allegedly, because they learned that one of the brothers protested at the Democratic Party convention, and the other had protested at an abortion clinic.
If these guys had protested at the Republican Party convention or here at Liberty University, he concluded, instead of cancelling their show HGTV probably wouldve given them a raise.
Watch Governor Jindals entire speech below.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/11/jindal-the-war-over-religious-liberty-is-a-war-over-free-speech/
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Posted with permission
burnsei sensei
(1,820 posts)It is a war over the establishment of religion, and what amounts to it.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)If the SC rules in favor of Hobby Lobby then the rights of employees of Hobby Lobby will go to hell in a hand basket. This can mean that corporations will be able to dictate to their employees anything, like forcing them to become pregnant, etc. It could also allow corporations to force abortions. A dangerous road to travel.
Jindal on the other hand is a piece of crap running around playing to a base which cheers on crap, his record as governor is one to defeat the middle class and pull pensions from the state employees while giving his friends big salaries.
PDJane
(10,103 posts)Religion is in the private sphere; there are good reasons that businesses and public spaces aren't allowed to choose a religion.
The kind of religion that Jindal is proposing is a religion that denies rights to anyone who doesn't believe in HIS religion and some who do....women, children, gays...and it is, right now, illegal.
I believe it needs to remain illegal, and that those who propose that kind of religion should learn to be the strong, silent type.
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C_U_L8R
(45,002 posts)They're just upset that they get ridiculed for it.
Which is the beautiful thing about free speech.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Nobody ever said the Duck Dynasty assholes weren't free to speak their minds. The first amendment does not guarantee a right to not be criticized for speaking what's on their minds. Jindal would use the force of government to stop others from critical speech.
djean111
(14,255 posts)It is a war against the adherents of any religion dictating to everyone else to suit themselves.
Anyway, HGTV exercised free speech by canceling a show that may have meant lower ratings and boycotts against themselves and sponsors. A business decision.
Why would HGTV have given the guys a raise? That is some illogical made-up shit right there.
I am sure HGTV would vastly prefer that its employees make no political or protest statements at all.
Anyway, I am sure there are other cable channels that would welcome those guys.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Would a Jindal administration guarantee the rights of people of faith to follow their conscience and protest war without being harassed and spied on by the FBI? Will a Jindal administration grant equal access to our public school seniors to conscientious objectors to the military, and fund those counselors dollar-for-dollar with federal money just like the military?
Or are you just talking about the freedom of certain faith practitioners, not all of them?
djean111
(14,255 posts)What rotted souls some people have.
ladjf
(17,320 posts)KG
(28,751 posts)wonder how many xians were barred from attending their church of choice in america today...
mindem
(1,580 posts)No one in this country needs to be subjected or forced to follow anyone else's religious tenets. Freedom of religion does not mean the whole country has to jump through hoops for the right wing religious freak show. Especially in the case of well moneyed hypocrites calling the shots for everyone else.