Swordsmyth
07-31-2018, 03:24 PM
The US Department of Justice (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/justice-department) has created a “religious liberty task force” to help implement the Trump administration’s new religious guidance.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/jeff-sessions) warned that the country had become "less hospitable to people of faith” as he announced its formation at a Justice Department Religious Liberty Summit.
"A dangerous movement, undetected by many, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom,” he said. “There can be no doubt. This is no little matter. It must be confronted and defeated."
He added that it would help Justice Department officials uphold new religious liberty guidance in the cases they bring, the arguments they make in court and the policies they adopt.
Issued in response to President Donald Trump’s (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/DonaldTrump) executive order (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-religious-liberty-executive-order-birth-control-politics-irs-a7718251.html) last year, the guidelines prohibited the government from punishing anyone who acted “in accordance with one’s religious beliefs”.
The task force will be co-chaired by Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams and acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. Mr Panuccio previously represented supporters of a failed attempt to ban same-sex marriage in California.
In his speech, Mr Sessions highlighted the “plight” of Jack Phillips, a conservative Christian baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding because of his religious beliefs.
The US Supreme Court ruled last month that he could not be forced to bake the cake.
Mr Sessions also alluded to an Obama-era policy that required employers to include contraceptive (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/contraceptives) coverage in their employee health care plans.
The attorney general said that the US had "seen nuns ordered to buy contraceptives”. The Trump administration has exempted religious groups from the contraceptive coverage requirement.
More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/jeff-sessions-announces-apos-religious-235625350.html
Attorney General Jeff Sessions (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/jeff-sessions) warned that the country had become "less hospitable to people of faith” as he announced its formation at a Justice Department Religious Liberty Summit.
"A dangerous movement, undetected by many, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom,” he said. “There can be no doubt. This is no little matter. It must be confronted and defeated."
He added that it would help Justice Department officials uphold new religious liberty guidance in the cases they bring, the arguments they make in court and the policies they adopt.
Issued in response to President Donald Trump’s (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/DonaldTrump) executive order (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-religious-liberty-executive-order-birth-control-politics-irs-a7718251.html) last year, the guidelines prohibited the government from punishing anyone who acted “in accordance with one’s religious beliefs”.
The task force will be co-chaired by Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams and acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. Mr Panuccio previously represented supporters of a failed attempt to ban same-sex marriage in California.
In his speech, Mr Sessions highlighted the “plight” of Jack Phillips, a conservative Christian baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding because of his religious beliefs.
The US Supreme Court ruled last month that he could not be forced to bake the cake.
Mr Sessions also alluded to an Obama-era policy that required employers to include contraceptive (https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/contraceptives) coverage in their employee health care plans.
The attorney general said that the US had "seen nuns ordered to buy contraceptives”. The Trump administration has exempted religious groups from the contraceptive coverage requirement.
More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/jeff-sessions-announces-apos-religious-235625350.html