Supreme Court Reaffirms Founders' Commitment to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion

Advocates of religious freedom and conscience exhaled last week as a majority of justices affirmed the constitutional rights of every American to practice and preserve their faith beyond the doors of a traditional church.

Friday’s 6-3 decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis, authored by Justice Gorsuch, wasn’t just a win for Lorie Smith, it was also a victory for anyone who supports free speech protected by the First Amendment.

On Thursday, a unanimous court held that Gerald Groff, a former United States postal worker and an evangelical Christian, who had been told he needed to work on Sundays, was entitled to religious accommodations.

My friend Kelly Shackleford, president, CEO and Chief Counsel for First Liberty, and who represented Mr. Groff, said the decision “restores religious freedom to every American in the workplace.”

The “restoration” of rights is a common thread and theme woven throughout both of these important decisions. The Supreme Court is neither granting nor inventing any new freedom — they’re simply acknowledging what the Founding Fathers established when the Constitution was written and ratified.

Try telling that to liberal activists and media outlets like CNN, who are suggesting something very different — and very wrong.

“Conservatives are on a roll in their quest to remake America through the courts,” the network screamed in big bold print Friday morning. As often is the case, the exact opposite is true. It’s radical activists who are committed to remaking and redefining all of the long-established constitutional norms of society.

As social and religious conservatives, it might be tempting to celebrate these important and significant decisions and assume the storm has passed. We might think we these two solid decision we might enjoy clear sailing going forward when it comes to religious freedom. In reality, the headwinds remain strong in this post Christian America.

As a graphic artist, Ms. Smith made clear she is willing to serve anyone and everyone but is unwilling to use her gifts and talents to support causes and messages that contradict her deeply held religious convictions. That position isn’t good enough for antagonists who want to force their worldview. Never mind that coercive anti-speech laws are antithetical to religious freedom and freedom of conscience.

In this pluralistic country, it’s long past time that bullies and activists back off Christians, and stop badgering, harassing, and forcing them to do what countless other artists will happily do. I remember my late friend, Dr. Tim Keller, talking about how New York City’s melting pot, generally speaking, peacefully co-exists by not deliberately harassing or trying to force people of other faiths to do what they knew they could not.

Freedom of thought and conscience have won the day, but you can be sure these decisions will not be the last word in this ongoing cultural revolution. It’s a step in the right direction, though, for all of us who champion freedom and oppose unconstitutional laws that try and compel certain speech. As the High Court takes its leave for this term, we can give thanks for God’s grace and mercy for providing our country with a Supreme Court majority that remains willing to uphold the United States Constitution.