First of all, let’s tell the absolute truth; contrary to one of the owners of the Republican Party, the Christian religious right, the United States of America was not founded on religious belief. Our founding fathers left England to escape religious persecution. Under orders from King George III, the Anglican Church, a Christian religion, was to become the official religion of the entire nation.

With just a couple of exceptions, our founding fathers were ‘deists.’ They believed that a supernatural being created the heavens and earth, but that he or she no longer existed; or if he or she did, this entity did not communicate with humans and was not interested in their day to day lives.

One of the primary reasons they created the United States was to guarantee religious freedom for all by forbidding the establishment of a single religion as America’s only religion.

Republicans continue to violate the first amendment by supporting Christianity and its extremist beliefs in opposition to all others. Mike Pence and Donald Trump have proven that they are not Americans and oppose the first amendment.

Mike Pence was the first governor to sign an anti-gay law in America. As the governor of Indiana he supported a law which allowed merchants to refuse services and products to same-sex couples based on their religious beliefs. This effort was eventually voided by the Supreme Court. He continues to be a religious extremist and unworthy of holding an office which is intended to represent ALL Americans.

Trump is now following Pence’ example. He has taken Indiana’s law and offered it to the medical profession. Health care workers can now refuse to offer life-saving aid to individuals based on religious or moral beliefs. (It’s funny to read that Trump is supporting anything based on morals.)

This is what Trump’s HHS representative had to say.

“Never forget that religious freedom is a primary freedom, that it is a civil right that deserves enforcement and respect,” said Roger Severino, the director of HHS’s Office for Civil Rights, at a ceremony to announce the new division.

He is correct, but he has his reasons twisted. Not offering every American equal treatment under the law and basing it on opposing religious beliefs or sexual orientation is a direct violation of the Constitution. In fact, it is religious persecution and nothing more than an extension of the Crusades which occurred from 1095 until 1291. This is barbarism and bigotry at its highest level.

The United States of America is the most backwards nation in the free world. Not only does our Republican controlled government refuse to care for all of its citizens, it refuses to literally ‘grow up.’ The old white men who dominate GOP politicians are not here for much longer. They average more than 60 years of age, while the average age of all Americans is 37.8 years. Younger Americans use their intellect more than their vile emotions and do not believe in racism, sexism, homophobia, and few practice any major religion. In other words, if you are not an older American, white, and claim to be Christian, Republicans do not support or represent you.

Trump’s HHS order will surely be struck down by the Supreme Court. Trump is used to having his orders overturned by federal courts; he is always on the wrong side of the law, and the wrong side of humanity.

Please pass on the truth, we all deserve it; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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