MM Religious Liberty Leader: Elder Jonathan Jackson

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The Meaning of Religious Liberty from the North American Perspective

Clarence E. Hodges, Former Director

Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty
North American Division
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Silver Spring, Maryland

Of all the human rights recognized by the various nations of the world and proclaimed
by the world through the United Nations, there is none more important than
religious liberty. The United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Islands of the Pacific
which identify with North America emphatically endorse religious freedom as basic in
the hierarchy of freedoms. The United Nations, speaking for the nations of the world,
has issued a declaration of human rights which is designed to protect the right to believe,
practice, and change religion on an individual or corporate basis.
Religious freedom allows the individual to be influenced or controlled by religious
conviction, by one’s conscience, without outside interference as long as said conviction
does not limit the rights and lifestyles of others and does not adversely impact on the
well-being of society. Religious freedom from the North American Division perspective
promotes the “Golden Rule” of freedom which, advances the concept of allowing others to
enjoy the freedoms you desire.
Those nations which enjoy religious freedom enjoy other freedoms and other benefits
which produce a better quality of life for all citizens. Religious freedom is the freedom
which produces those other freedoms which lead to an improved quality of life for all.
Religious freedom, therefore, improves the quality of life for all and should be supported
by all. The North American Division praises God for the blessing of religious freedom. It
is a God-given blessing.

LIBERTY HOT TOPICS

Religion Banned in Public Schools

Jonathan Jackson, RLL

In recent years, there has been a wave of criticism and censorship surrounding the debate of what is appropriate freedom of speech in public schools.  Liberty Magazine has an interesting article entitled "The Shaming of Religion" that discusses how far the campaign against religion in schools has come.  In fact, it is now at the discretion of faculty to determine whether or not there is an undertone of religion in music, class presentations, etc.  This article even describes in detail how cases have been decided to promote religious censorship, and limit freedom of speech.

Click here to read the full article.

Germany - Sunday a day of Rest.

Jonathan Jackson, RLL

According to a BBC News Article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3792015.stm), and Spiegel Online(http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,664754,00.html), Sunday has been coined a day of rest in Germany.  Restrictions that have been in place since at least June of 2004 are now being enforced.  Shoppers, and businesses are mandated to rest.  With support from conservatives and obviously from religious groups such as the Catholic church and many protestant leaders as well, the Courts in Germany had more than enough reason to bump up restrictions.

With Prophecy being fulfilled right in front of our eyes it is important to get the message out, that Jesus is coming!  It is clear from God's Word that the only instituted day of rest is the seventh day of the week.  After God created the earth in six days, he extended the week to seven, and set this day aside for holy communion with Adam and Eve. The Bible indicates that God (Genesis 2) rested--stopped creating because everything was good, blessed--a day of special blessings, and sanctified--set aside as holy, the seventh day of the week.  In other words, God promised to show up on this day for his creation in a special way, so that there could be a 24 hour period devoted to nothing but rest, blessing and communion with him.  This day is holy because God said so.  This thing about Sunday being a day of rest is nothing but a ploy of the devil since the resurrection of Christ.  Since Satan was defeated at the cross, he tried to come up with a way to minimize the impact and/or divert attention to ensnare those who may have or had good intentions.  There is NO change in Scripture that transfers the sanctity of the seventh day to the First.  Yes, Jesus arose on the First day of the Week, and praise God we now have victory and a free gift because of his sacrifice.  But the Sabbath day that God created for man, the seventh day is still holy.

When a mandate like Germany's is enforced, we clearly see the noise of the Catholic church spreading.  However, let's be mindful of this fact, that at the end of it all, when Jesus comes again, there will only be one group of people standing, Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE FAITH OF JESUS."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SABBATH CHECK OUT

An Interesting Perspective on Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Jonathan Jackson, RLL

In the November/December edition of Liberty Magazine, there is an article that investigates the legal judicial history of confirmed Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. 

Faith, Freedom, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor

This article attempts to introduce epic decisions and opines given by Justice Sotomayor on previous cases involving religious tenets.  Fairly attributing Justice Sotomayor’s concise yet profound dedication to the Constitution, and human rights/religious freedom, this article resonates with plausible scholarship and distinction. 

However, what is a bit disturbing is the conclusion, which seems to minimize the outstanding fact that there are now six Catholic Supreme Court Justices of nine.  While it is true that the Senate Confirmations could not reasonably question matters of personal faith, it would be a disservice to the religious community to not at least consider if faith has or may be an impediment or an abet to decisions made on the bench.

With prophecy clearly outlining that Papal Rome and the United States have pivotal parts to play in the final scenes leading up to the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is clear that this (six sitting Catholic justices) is significant.  Although, it may be that in the past Justice Sotomayor’s decisions were based on interpretations of the Law as a trial and appellate judge, this does not in any way limit a future coercion. The Supreme Court has the authority unlike the lower courts to interpret what the Law means. 

Religion impacts ideology, because of its innate ability to merge all portions of the human being, spiritual, mental and physical.  To justify what this means in the case of Justice Sotomayor is not a human responsibility, but being informed is.

More information on Papal Rome, United States and Prophecy

Can it really be true? America in Bible prophecy - absolutely! When you think about it, it makes sense that the most powerful and influential nation on earth will play a vital role in the final stunning events of the world's closing history. But even more surprises await you as the Bible reveals how the leading nation of the world came to exist and why! Please read Revelation 13:11-18 before beginning this guide, because these eight verses give a prophetic picture of America in the days ahead.