“Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise . . .” United States Supreme Court 1892, Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States
As November 6 draws near, AFLC Â strongly urges people of faith to vote in acknowledgment of America’s Judeo-Christian principles as well as the critical need to preserve and uphold them. Â Equally importantly, though, voters must understand that religious freedom is at the forefront of this upcoming election. Indeed, it is no secret that the current administration has declared war on the First Amendment. Furthermore, President Obama has shredded the Constitution in an effort to build a new society based upon secular progressivism that is hostile to our Judeo-Christian values.
Nowhere is this more evident than the HHS contraception mandate, which requires employers to provide insurance plans that include coverage for contraception, sterilization, abortifacients, and related education and counseling or incur substantial penalty fines.  This mandate directly conflicts with the deeply-held religious beliefs of religious organizations across the country, including our clients, Priests for Life.
The attack upon religious freedom and morality must be stopped. Consequently, religious leaders have a crucial role in informing members of their congregations to vote for Biblical principles on critical social issues. Yet there exist harsh laws that prevent priests and pastors — under pain of criminal punishment — from advising their congregation on how to vote consistent with God’s Word. For example, the State of Michgan has a criminal statute that prohibits religious leaders from “influencing a voter at an election” by advising the voter “under pain of religious disapproval.” Indeed, any priest or pastor who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine or imprisonment.
AFLC is fighting back against this blatantly unconstitutional law. Earlier this week, we filed a federal lawsuit challenging this criminal statute on behalf of Dr. Levon Yuille, a prominent Christian pastor based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. And next week, AFLC Senior Counsel Robert Muise will be arguing at a hearing in federal court that the judge should enjoin the enforcement of this law before Election Day. Thus, AFLC is fighting to make sure that Pastor Yuille can openly advise his congregation to vote consistent with Biblical principles on Election Day — without the threat of criminal prosecution.
It is clear that there are two paths for America’s future: one relies upon the blessing of Providence to preserve and protect this great nation for future generations; the other is to cast down the Judeo-Christian principles, which have formed the foundation of the most peaceful and prosperous nation in world history. For this reason, AFLC urges all people of faith to gravely acknowledge one simple truth: elections have consequences.