To the editor:
The definition of "free will" is: voluntary choice or decision, "I do this of my own free will." It doesn't say "government choice or decision."
The United States was founded on Judaic Christian beliefs and that man is endowed with a spiritual soul, with intellect and with free will, the human person is from his very conception ordered to God and destined for eternal beatitude. He pursues his perfection in "seeking and loving what is true and good." - Catholic Catechism
Due to certain rulings the federal government has/is trying to abrogate man's God given free will. Are they playing God? We are not to be forced to buy something we do not want. That is the reason Jews and Christians participated in a Fortnight for Freedom. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrapped up two weeks of protests against President Obama's health care law Wednesday with a Mass attended by an overflow crowd of 4,000 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Bishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia declared that "Render unto Caesar those things that bear Caesar's image, but more importantly, render unto God that which bears God's image - in other words, you and me. All of us."
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations commented: "Most troubling, is the administration's underlying rationale for its decision, which appears to be a view that if a religious entity is not insular, but engaged with broader society, it loses its 'religious' character and liberties. Many faiths firmly believe in being open to and engaged with broader society and fellow citizens of other faiths. The administration's ruling makes the price of such an outward approach the violation of an organization's religious principles. This is deeply disappointing."
Rev. Billy Graham's American Evangelist 's comments included, "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."
They agreed that while the Fortnight for Freedom is directed at Catholics, we should all wholeheartedly support its goals. And of course there is no good reason why we shouldn't devote ourselves to prayer, study and public action regarding this issue - if anything, the opposite is true.
Fortnight for Freedom was held from June 21, to July 4 and the events were not about politics but prayer.
Maureen Ferguson, a spokeswoman for the Catholic Association, called Fortnight for Freedom a huge success and said she had never seen so many people engaged, "from the bishops down to the laity."
The assault on our most precious freedom - freedom of religion - concerns all Christians and Jews and Muslims.
And as Thomas Jefferson stated:
"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
And in James Madison's, letter to Jacob de la Motta, August 1820, "Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious sect."
We must support that equal right. Vote to keep your rights.
Frank Cunningham
Citizens Concerned for Human Rights Mifflin Juniata Inc.
Milroy
