How Tim Walz’s Policies Endanger Our Faith and Religious Freedoms

Reading the piece from the Daily Caller Foundation News’ Patently Anti-Religious’: Tim Walz’s History of Restricting Faith-Based Institutions

The article examines Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s actions as Minnesota governor, allegedly restricting religious liberties. Religious organizations and faith-based schools have sued Walz for discriminatory policies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Points:

1. COVID-19 Lockdown Policies:

   • Walz imposed stricter lockdown rules on churches than on businesses.
   • Retailers could reopen at 50% capacity; religious gatherings capped at ten people.
   • Catholic and Lutheran churches resisted, prompting a compromise to 25% capacity.
   • Churches sued, leading to a settlement treating religious gatherings like secular businesses.

2. Funding Restrictions on Faith-Based Schools:

   • Walz signed a law removing funding from faith-based schools requiring faith affirmations.
   • A lawsuit followed, and Minnesota agreed not to enforce the law during litigation.

3. Mask Mandates and Capacity Limits:

   • Churches sued over mask mandates and capacity limits, claiming violations of religious freedoms.

4. Religious Exemptions Clarified:

   • Walz clarified religious exemptions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
   • The state added “gender identity” as a protected class but lacked a religious exemption initially.

5. Conversion Therapy and Trans Refuge Legislation:

   • Walz banned “conversion therapy” for minors.
   • He made Minnesota a “trans refuge” state, allowing courts to assume jurisdiction for children seeking gender-affirming care.

Points of Alarm for Christians and Religious Institutions:

Stricter COVID-19 Restrictions: Religious groups were treated more harshly than businesses. This action raised concerns about fairness.

Funding Removal for Faith-Based Schools: Faith-based schools lost funding if they required students to affirm faith. This decision seemed discriminatory against religious education.

Legal Actions Against Religious Gatherings: Churches faced mask mandates and capacity limits, seen as violations of religious liberties.

Lack of Initial Religious Exemption: Adding “gender identity” as a protected class without a religious exemption caused alarm, creating potential conflicts with religious beliefs.

Banning Conversion Therapy and Creating a Trans Refuge State: These actions affected religious freedoms and parental rights. Christians viewed these policies as intrusive on faith and family matters.

Further Reading:

• Following Religious Freedom Wins, Experts Warn ‘Christians Are Going to Encounter More of This’ (VCA)
• The Religious Roots of Freedom (Hillsdale College)