Now, Picture This! A New Mexico Where Religious Freedom Flourishes…
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,” -Acts 4:19
Dear Friends:
In 2006, Elaine Huguenin, an Albuquerque wedding photographer, respectfully declined a request to photograph a same-sex ceremony on the basis that her participation would violate her deeply held religious beliefs regarding marriage. Although the same-sex couple was able to find another photographer, they nonetheless filed a complaint against Elaine with the Human Rights Commission, commencing years of legal action that would ultimately make it to the New Mexico Supreme Court.
In August 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Elaine in one of the most unusual and unprecedented rejections of religious freedom to date. In a special concurring opinion, Supreme Court Justice Richard Bosson conceded that the Court’s decision would have sobering results for people of faith, noting that Elaine and her husband were now “compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives.” Even so, Justice Bosson concurred with the Court’s decision, concluding that this compulsory compromise was “the price of citizenship” in New Mexico.
Welcome to part two of our four-part series highlighting the vision of Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico. Today, we look at the second part of our vision – a New Mexico where religious freedom flourishes.
To say I simply disagree with Justice Bosson and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Elaine’s case is an understatement. At best, the Court’s ruling was an ill-fated misinterpretation of our state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. At worst, it was a blatant attack against the religious freedom guaranteed to us by our U.S. and State Constitutions.
Yes, this is happening, and, yes, we must do something about it!
At Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, we are dedicated to preserving our freedom to believe and live out our faith. We do this by promoting public policy that protects and enhances this freedom for individuals, families, churches, organizations, and companies. At the same time, we defend against policies that would erode constitutional protections for people of faith and the entities they operate.
Friends – our founders recognized the freedom of religion to be so fundamental that they preserved it as our first freedom in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment – protecting not only the freedom to believe, but also the freedom to freely exercise our beliefs.
Do you agree with the founders? Do you share our passion for protecting religious freedom?
If so, please continue to pray for Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico and spread the word about our ministry. You can help right now by forwarding this message to 5 friends and asking them to subscribe to our email list.
Picture this – a New Mexico where God is honored and religious freedom flourishes. Together, let’s “unleash citizenship” and transform this picture into reality!
Standing for religious freedom and the family of believers,
Vince Torres
President and Executive Director
Part 1: Picture this! A New Mexico where God is honored…
