U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced this week that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is committed to ending religious discrimination.
He announced to a gathering of Southern Baptist Convention leaders the "First Freedom Project," which he described as "a legacy of protection unequaled since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."
"I am charged by the president with protecting and preserving not only the safety and security of all Americans, but also their rights, liberties and freedoms," Gonzales said. "One of our most cherished freedoms -- one we've sacrificed greatly to defend -- is our religious liberty."
He said religious freedom is a fundamental part of the nation's history.
"Before free speech, before freedom of the press, before all of these other crucial rights, we put freedom of religion," Gonzales said. "Our Founders were men of faith. They understood the importance of a government that respected and protected the 'First Freedom.' "
The project will include:
-- A Religious Freedom Task Force to review policies and cases.
-- Public education on religious and civil rights.
-- Regional training seminars for public leaders.
-- A Web site, firstfreedom.gov, with information on laws regarding religious freedom.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, applauded the initiative.
"With a Congress now controlled by Democrats who are typically not receptive to new legislative proposals on the subject of protecting religious liberties," he said, "it's a wise idea to refocus attention on enforcement and education efforts."
The DOJ has actively intervened on behalf of religious liberties during the Bush administration with good success, Hausknecht added.
"With the higher profile that this task force will bring about," he said, "I would hope for and expect even greater progress in defending, as well as promoting, our First Freedom."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To read the full text of Attorney General Gonzales' speech, visit the Department of Justice Web site.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
