Silence and complacency are no longer an option
This month marked two years since Obamacare was signed into law, against the will of the American people.
On Friday, March 23rd, over 500 energized people stood together in Goshen against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate (part of Obamacare). This law forces religious institutions to provide services that directly contradict the teachings of their faith and strips away 1st Amendment rights.
They joined thousands of others, across 140 cities, in a nationwide rally for religious freedom. The crowd cheered in unison as each of the guest speakers warned against government overreach, the threat to our constitutional protections and increased intrusion into our private lives.
Wendy Wood of Orange County Right to Life and Jennie Maney of Citizens4Freedom, were the organizers and hosts.
Paul Laux led the audience with the Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.
Father Jeffrey J. Maurer, a pastor at St. Marys Church, Washingtonville, offered the opening prayer and reminded everyone We have a voice. Let that voice be heard.
A homemaker and human dignity advocate, Colleen Boland Toder, gave a powerful reminder about our Catholic organizations, These Catholic organizations exist entirely because of the desire of individual Catholics to follow their conscience and religion. The command of our founder to love one another as He loved us is obeyed by those who support these organizations with their time, money and love.
Dr. Frank Imbarrato, President of Christian Medical and Dental Associations in the Hudson Valley and local practicing physician, spoke boldly as he reminded the group about the moral cancer in our society. He warned that the H.H.S. Mandate was a violation of our right of conscience and this right must be protected at all costs. The rise of evil can be the seeds for our revival, he said.
The fourth guest, Rabbi Noson S. Leiter, raised everyones awareness of new legislation in Congress. House Bill HR 998 and Senate Bill S 555, both entitled Student Non-Discrimination Act, promotes the protection of homosexual rights in the schools. This legislation attacks children of faith, he said. We need to stop apologizing for our faith.
As the day progressed, people driving by noticed the Stand Up For Religious Freedom banner and hundreds of flags being waved. They overwhelmingly honked their horns in support and encouragement.
The next speaker was Tim Chichester, an entrepreneur, who uses his broad life experience to advance Christian morality. In 2010, he challenged Kirsten Gillibrand in a U.S. Senate race.
In his bold statement to all the spectators, Tim asked that each one of us motivate our clergy to take action against the H.H.S. Mandate. He reminded us that the dignity of each man is not granted by the state; it is granted by God. Christians and Orthodox Jews are the only ones left who understand that a bone chilling scenario lies ahead. (If this law is not overturned)
Lastly, Reverend Bill Banuchi, the Executive Director of the New York Faith & Freedom Coalition and founding Director of the Marriage & Family Savers Institute, in Newburgh, reinforced the sentiments of the previous guest speakers.
He warned, Our enemies are in our own government. He went on to say that we have forgotten the God that made us and ended by asking that we pray like it all depends on you and work like it all depends on all of us.
Through this nationwide effort, a clear message has been sent to all who realize that our Constitutional rights are being subverted by our government.
Currently, there are two laws in front of Congress:
1. Respect for Rights of Conscience Act
2. Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Please call the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your representatives to support passage of this legislation.
Silence and complacency are no longer an option.
Michelle Hieronymi Monroe