Vice President Mike Pence delivered a fierce defense of religious liberty and Christian education during his commencement address at Liberty University.
“Freedom of religion is enshrined in our First Amendment and in the hearts of every American,” the vice president said. “And these attacks on Christian education are un-American.”
Second Lady Karen Pence came under withering criticism earlier this year from LGBT activists when she took a role teaching art at a private Christian school. The school affirms the teachings of the Bible on issues regarding marriage and sexual immorality.
“We faced harsh attacks by the media and the secular left,” Pence told graduates. “The truth is we live in a time when the freedom of religion is under assault.”
The nation would be wise to pay heed to the vice president’s warning. I document many of the most recent attacks on religious liberty in my upcoming book, “Culture Jihad: How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation. Click here to pre-order.
“A major newspaper reporter actually started a new hashtag, called ‘Expose Christian Schools,’ inviting students to share their ‘horror stories’ of Christian education,” Pence told the graduates.
The vice president stressed that in spite of the attacks on Christians, people of faith must respond with faith and grace. He reminded the graduates we can overcome evil with good.
“Throughout most of American history, it’s been pretty easy to call yourself Christian,” Pence told the crowd. “It didn’t even occur to people that you might be shunned or ridiculed for defending the teachings of the Bible.”
But things are different now, he said.
“Some of the loudest voices for tolerance today have little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs,” he said. “So as you go about your daily life, just be ready. Because you’re going to be asked not to just tolerate things that violate your faith; you’re going to be asked to endorse them. You’re going to be asked to bow down to the idols of the popular culture.”
That day of reckoning has already come for many bakers and florists and public sector employees. And soon, that day will come for the rest of us.
How will you respond when you have to choose between following the commandments of God or the commandments of the government?