In the News
- Marrapodi, E. (2012, February 10). Evangelicals added weight to Catholic outcry over Obama contraception rule. CNN Wire n.pag. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from NewsBank on-line database (Access World News)"'The deeper idea for us is the idea of religious liberty and government has crossed a boundary to require them to do something that violates their conscience,' Oliver said."
Access World News - REPRESENTATIVES OF FOUR CCCU MEMBER INSTITUTIONS TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM REGARDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. (2012, February 20). States News Service. Retrieved from InfoTrac Newsstand."Dub Oliver, president of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, stated in his testimony, 'This issue is not about women's health, it is about religious liberty. It is about whether the government will force religious people and organizations to do something they believe is wrong. Everyone here wants women to have access to good health care. We are asking that our religious views be respected.'"
InfoTrac Newsstand - Strode, T. (2012, February 17).Baptist ethicist on mandate: We'd rather go to jail, pay fines. Web. Baptist Press. Retrieved from http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=37203"'If the government can force Catholic monks to dispense birth control, what can't the government do?' Oliver asked. 'If the government can decide that East Texas Baptist University is not religious enough to have the right to religious liberty, what can't the government do? If this administration can just decide that religious believers are less important than its chosen policy goals, what can't it do?'"
Baptist Press Online - Wetzstein, C. (2012, February 21). Battle lines are drawn over whether Obama is waging a war on religion. Washington Times, The (DC) A01. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from NewsBank on-line database (Access World News)"'If the government can force Catholic monks to dispense birth control, what can't it do?' Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver, president of East Texas Baptist University, told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform."
Access World News
"Lines Crossed: Separation of Church & State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion & Freedom of Conscience?" Hearing Before the Committee On Oversight & Government Reform
On Thursday, February 16, 2012, Dr. Dub Oliver testified before the Committee on Oversight & Government, along with clergy and other administrators from faith-based institutions across the country. Leaders of Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist and Jewish congregations testified during Part 1 of the hearing. Dr. Oliver testified during Part 2, along with fellow administrators from Catholic University of America, Belmont Abbey College, Calvin College, and Oklahoma Christian University.
This guide includes videos from both parts of the proceedings, as well as links to the transcripts of the members of both panels (see the panel lists on Part 1 and Part 2 - if transcripts are available they are located below their name.
Chairman Darrell Issa: Hearing Preview Statement
Americans of all faiths have a right to practice their religion free from the fear of persecution or harassment from their government. Our nation's founders believed this and enshrined religious freedom into the First Amendment to the Constitution.
While some Americans may not feel that government mandates forcing them to pay for contraception are an infringement on their religious beliefs, others consider it to be an assault against their freedom of conscience. A government policy that encroaches on the conscientious objections of religious groups concerns all Americans who value the protections of the First Amendment. Today, the committee will hear testimony from leaders of different faiths. They are concerned that government, under this Administration, is encroaching on their First Amendment rights.
The Administration's actions have forced us to confront a more fundamental question about the proper role of government in our lives.
This hearing is about basic question of religious freedom, and whether or not protection will be afforded to religious institutions who wish to follow their conscience in refusing to pay for products they find morally objectionable. I look forward to hearing from today's witnesses.
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