Trump Launches Religious Liberty Commission (Video)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump launched a presidential commission on religious liberty Thursday to protect freedom of faith for future generations amid concern within the White House about “anti-Christian bias” and other perceived infringements on religious expression.
Trump signed the executive order to create the Religious Liberty Commission in the White House Rose Garden surrounded by faith leaders from various backgrounds. The announcement coincided with the country’s National Day of Prayer.
“As we bow our heads on this beautiful day [in the Rose Garden on the National Day of Prayer], once again, we have to trust our God because our God knows exactly where we’re going, what we are doing,” Trump said.
God, he added, “knows every inch of our life. And may He continue to hear our prayers, to guide our steps, and build up our beloved nation to even greater heights.”
It was crucial to “once again entrust our lives, our liberties, our happiness to the Creator who gave them to us and who loves us,” explained Trump, a self-described “nondenominational Christian,” before signing the order.
Dr. Phil McGraw, a longtime TV show host and author, better known as “Dr. Phil,” is among several chosen to help lead the commission. In a newly published book, he has encouraged Americans to “reclaim the principles of hard work, independence, faith, and ingenuity,” the White House said.
“Dr. Phil” has supported Trump’s campaign and advocated for his administration’s immigration policies.
GRAHAM JOINS
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to see religion coming back to the White House. God bless you for doing this,” Dr. Phil stressed after being introduced by Trump.
Besides him, Evangelist Franklin Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Samaritan’s Purse charity, was also appointed to the commission.
Graham, son of the late legendary Evangelist Billy Graham, recently spoke and prayed at a White House Easter service, noting a “spiritual draught” in Washington and the White House in recent years.
However, he praised the current president for expressing faith in Christ and advocating religious freedom.
Among other Commission members are American Catholic leaders such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron as well as Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.
Some of the Commission’s key focus areas will include ensuring “parental rights in religious education,” school choice, conscience protections, free speech for religious entities, institutional autonomy, and preventing “attacks” on houses of worship.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Trump suggested that it was created because of concern that federal and state policies have “infringed” upon those rights.
The president said the Religious Liberty Commission would help vigorously enforce “the historic and robust” protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law.
Trump said the initiative aims to end federal, state, and local policies that have “threatened” the country’s tradition of religious liberty in recent years.
The Commission will “promote citizens’ pride in our foundational history, identify emerging threats to religious liberty, uphold Federal laws that protect all citizens’ full participation in a pluralistic democracy, and protect the free exercise of religion,” Trump said.
He added that the Commission “will serve as educated representatives of various sectors of society.”
He acknowledged that his religious policies have been criticized. “I get criticized no matter what, but I just go forward,” he said.
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