The case for religious freedom has been debated ad nauseam since its inception and ratification into law in December 1791. There are some who believe it to be the "First, Most Cherished Freedom" as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops proclaimed in their response to President Obama's HHS Mandate. It is often used to defend unpopular or outrageous beliefs held in the name of religion- and invoked as a trump card in any disagreement over inflammatory comments or actions. Indeed, we have both frequently evoked our right to free exercise of speech and religion to gently remind those who disagree with us that the benefit of First Amendment protections is the dialogue that results from conflicting points of view. However, what is unacceptable in all cases is the use of the First Amendment as a means to attack, discriminate, and dehumanize another person and/or group of persons; discrimination...
