Written by A draft final report from President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission released Friday calls for “building bridges between church and state,” a reversal of a long-standing U.S. legal principle. “Americans must know their rights and stand with courage when those rights are challenged,” the commission’s report read. “To preserve this freedom, we must build bridges, not walls, between the City of God and the City of Man. If we do so, we will pass on a free and prosperous nation to the next generation,” it continues. The argument is a stark reversal of the legal principle that calls for the separation of church and state.
The phrase “separation of church and state” does not explicitly appear in the Constitution, but the Constitution states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who is a vice chair on the president’s commission, argued on Friday that the political left has used the phrase “to batter and hammer people of faith for the last 70 to 80 years.” “This report will speak very clearly that Americans understand that they can not be attacked by that phrase any longer,” Patrick said, speaking alongside Trump, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and members of the commission. In addition to calling for “bridges” between church and state, the commission’s report also calls for the scrapping of the tax code provision known as the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofit groups, including religious organizations, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
Trump created his Religious Liberty Commission last year, appointing Patrick and Dr. Ben Carson to serve as vice chairs. Phil McGraw was also tapped by the president to be a part of the commission.
Source: Trump’s religious liberty report calls for building ‘bridges’ between church and state
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:5
Cougar spotted roaming Minnesota community
Forty miles west of Minneapolis, Howard Lake mixes water recreation with country living. But a couple weeks ago, the small town got a visit from an unexpected…
Keep reading
Older article but awesome; Photographer captures rare white loon in Canada
Waterfowl on lakes and rivers are a common sight. But it’s the not-so-common loon that when seen in person is often the apple of a photographer’s eye,…
Keep reading
Bay Area animal rescue and zoo needs help to recover from severe storm damage
CuriOdyssey, a San Mateo animal rescue and zoo is still cleaning up after being battered by the winter storms. The powerful storms also destroyed animals’ habitats, obscured…
Keep reading
Beloved Massachusetts zoo closed after powerful storm damages animal enclosures: “It was overwhelming”
A beloved Springfield, Massachusetts, zoo is closed, after significant damage from a powerful macroburst on Saturday. Before the gates at The Zoo in Forest Park can reopen,…
Keep reading
Finding Strength Through Faith: God’s Promise for Today
You may not have strength for tomorrow, but God promises enough grace for today. One step at a time, He will carry you forward. “But they who…
Keep reading
Overcoming Perfectionism Through Faith in God
God does not ask you to be flawless before coming to Him. He asks you to come as you are. For by grace you have been saved…
Keep reading
Dangers of the Deep: Tracking Sharks Along the New York Coast
New shark-spotting technology has been on full display this summer—and for good reason. With shark activity on the rise, the Nassau County Police Marine Bureau is on…
Keep reading
Warning from wildlife expert after Wisconsin bear attack
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital. What…
Keep reading
How to Protect Your Heart from Negativity
Your life is moving in the direction of your heart, whether you realize it or not. What you allow in today will shape who you become tomorrow.…
Keep reading
California scientists build robot to look for great white sharks near beaches
From a distance, it looks like a kayak or a surfboard. But it’s not a person enjoying an afternoon at the beach — it’s a new high-tech…
Keep reading
Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing Hypocrisy in Leadership
There is a deep kind of pain that comes when the people who we thought were family and were meant to reflect God’s light but instead become…
Keep reading
Roseville bear sighting reported a day after Rocklin alert
A bear was spotted in Roseville on Wednesday morning, one day after police in neighboring Rocklin issued an alert about a similar sighting. Roseville Fire said the…
Keep reading
Oakmont Borough moving forward with harvesting program to reduce deer population
The borough of Oakmont has voted to move forward with a harvesting program to bring down its deer population. This has been a wildlife management tool used…
Keep reading
Over half a dozen sharks seen on video near popular Maine beach in two days
More than half a dozen white sharks have been spotted close to shore in Scarborough, Maine over a 48-hour period, prompting warnings and increased monitoring near a…
Keep reading
Video shows 8-foot python pulled from N.J. backyard after eating a possum
A massive 8-foot python was found in a New Jersey backyard. The 40-pound snake is now safely back in a cage, but not before it gave residents…
Keep reading
Second rabid beaver confirmed at Cunningham Falls State Park in 2 weeks after fisherman bitten
A beaver that bit a 19-year-old fisherman at a Maryland state park Wednesday morning tested positive for rabies, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed. The man was…
Keep reading
Embracing Forgiveness: The Power of Surrender
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This verse teaches believers…
Keep reading
Understanding Jesus: The Meaning of Immanuel Explained
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”…
Keep reading
Loving Sacrifice: The Essence of True Worship
What the world calls waste, Jesus calls worship, your sacrifice for Him is never overlooked. Bold, extravagant faith stands out in a culture that misunderstands true devotion.…
Keep reading
Faith Under Pressure
Pip: Drink of Jesus is a site that treats ancient Scripture the way a good contractor treats load-bearing walls — you don’t move them just because the…
Keep reading
1.3 million Ram trucks recalled over improperly installed seat belt anchors
Chrysler is recalling more than 1.27 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks because the second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed, according to the National…
Keep reading
Old Trails Fire continues burning in northwest Spokane as thousands remain evacuated from their homes
The Old Trails Fire that sparked near Old Trails Road and W Euclid Road has burned 3,621 acres as of Monday, according to an incident PIO. It…
Keep reading
God’s Presence in Painful Moments
When life feels too heavy to carry and every door seems shut, God is still moving in places you cannot see. Your breaking point may be the…
Keep reading
3 lions die at Tokyo zoo from suspected heatstroke as Japan bakes in “cruelly hot” summer
Three lions at a Tokyo zoo have died from suspected heatstroke and others are under treatment, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday, with the big cats struggling with…
Keep reading
Arson arrest in one of the Spokane area wildfires that have left some residents with nothing – CBS News
A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the largest of the three devastating Spokane, Washington-area wildfires that are leaving some residents with nothing. Aaron Farinacci,…
Keep reading
God: Your Unshakeable Refuge in Troubling Times
When life feels like it’s falling apart, God remains your safest place. Even when everything shakes, His strength never does. Bible Verse:God is our refuge and strength,…
Keep reading
Fires near Spokane have burned 600 structures and forced 60,000 evacuations
The fires in and around Spokane, Washington state’s second largest city, burned about 8.2 square miles over the weekend. Source: (3) Fires near Spokane have burned 600…
Keep reading
Stockton church hosts fundraiser to reopen local school
The City of Stockton has been working to revitalize Main Street. To help, a local church hosted a bazaar to raise funds that go directly into the…
Keep reading
Stay Steadfast: Your Efforts Matter Forever
In your most tired moments, it’s easy to wonder if any of this really matters. But what if every small act of faithfulness is echoing into eternity…
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Discover more from Drink of Jesus
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.