Trump’s New Religious Freedom Committee

On May 1, during the Prayer Land Rose Garden Ceremony, President Donald Trump announced the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Religious Freedom. I was thrilled to learn about this committee, especially since I’m one of its members, even if I couldn’t physically attend the event.

Religious freedom holds immense significance for me, and it was reassuring to know we have a president who really gets its importance.

This is the essence of our Republic. Our nation is built on God-given rights, a clear moral compass, and the belief that true freedom starts with freedom of conscience.

It’s no surprise that the secular left responded negatively to this announcement. They’ve tried to paint the committee as having ulterior motives and creating divisions.

For instance, Politico criticized the president for allegedly “brushing aside the separation between church and state,” revealing their misunderstanding of an important historical context.

Notably, the phrase “separation of church and state” isn’t in the Constitution but comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802 to the Baptist congregation in Danbury, Connecticut—a fact that secularists have misrepresented for years.

Religious freedom means safeguarding the church from governmental overreach, not the other way around. Jefferson reassured the Danbury Baptists that their right to worship would never face governmental interference.

Secularists, however, often misconstrue this to imply the opposite.

The Constitution explicitly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This emphasizes that governments can’t dictate people’s religious practices.

The intent is straightforward.

Rather than aiming to remove religion from public life, the Constitution actually protects the right of believers to influence societal norms and policies.

Our country was founded as a refuge from enforced religious practices.

Those who deny the religious roots of America clash with history, the Constitution, and the intentions of our founders. Fundamentalist secularists have distorted this vision, undermining what has historically made our nation a sanctuary for all faiths.

The committee’s aim is to bolster the freedoms of all Americans, irrespective of their beliefs, and to restore rights that have been encroached upon by misguided secular agendas.

Our Declaration of Independence asserts that rights come from God, not government. It declares that we are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights, including the pursuits of life, liberty, and happiness.

What’s evident here?

In my book, “If You Can Keep It,” I stress that our founders recognized that autonomy and freedom hinge on virtuous citizens, a virtue often rooted in faith. Power can corrupt, and without faith, freedom tends to self-destruct.

This principle emphasizes that while the government should not impose beliefs, it must vigorously protect religious freedoms to ensure faith isn’t stifled by governmental power.

Trump’s Religious Freedom Committee aims to fulfill this role effectively. The executive order states: “The proactive enforcement of historical and robust protections for religious freedom, as engraved in federal law, will be a policy of this administration.”

This isn’t about establishing a state religion—it’s about safeguarding the freedom to believe, speak, and act in accordance with one’s conscience. The order does not restrict which religions are included.

America must continue to be a sanctuary for free expression and thought. This is precisely what our founders envisioned: a land where “religious voices and views are vital to a vibrant public discourse,” allowing religious individuals and institutions to practice freely without fear of discrimination from the government.

This vision harks back to early settlers fleeing Europe to escape religious persecution, seeking a land where they could worship freely.

The Religious Liberty Committee honors that legacy by protecting these rights.

• Ensuring the rights of pastors, religious leaders, places of worship, faith-based institutions, and religious speakers.
• Addressing attacks on houses of worship across America.
• Support for banking services for religious organizations.
• Safeguarding the rights of teachers, students, military chaplains, service members, employers, and employees.
• Upholding conscience rights in healthcare and vaccine mandates.
• Defending parental rights in education and religious training.
• Recognizing government displays featuring religious imagery.
• Protecting the rights of all Americans to practice their faith freely without government censorship.

These issues extend beyond Christianity and concern human freedom. They matter to Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and everyone, regardless of faith.

Interestingly, the major concern for mainstream media often revolves around the LGBTQ agenda, which conflicts with various religious teachings. Critics labeling the committee as a platform for “Christian nationalists” seem to engage in calculated misinterpretations.

As I noted in previous writings, the inaction of German churches in the 1930s contributed to the rise of the Nazis, paving the way for immense atrocities. The Religious Freedom Committee serves as a platform for religious voices, reaffirming America as a place where faith can thrive without governmental interference.

The founders made this promise in 1791. It’s unfortunate that we need the president to renew this commitment, but it’s essential we stand by his initiatives.

The Religious Freedom Committee embodies what the founders envisioned: a setting where believers are not marginalized but embraced as active participants in our democracy.

This is the lifeblood of our Republic. A nation founded on God-given rights, moral clarity, and an unwavering belief in the importance of conscience and freedom.

This committee represents more than just constitutional rights. It reflects the courage that America needs.

It’s an honor to collaborate with President Trump and fellow committee members to safeguard and promote the religious freedoms of all Americans. We hope our society will draw on our rich heritage, placing God first and allowing freedom to flourish.

May God continue to bless our nation for His purposes.