-Trump Administration Sued Over Bible Study in The White House
by Dr. D ~ August 27th, 2018
A left-wing political group is suing the Trump administration over a Bible study being conducted in the White House. It is the contention of the ‘People for the American Way’ that they have a right under the ‘Freedom of Information Act’ to know exactly what is being taught in any ‘government’ facility. From Christian Today:
People for the American Way say it is filing suit after repeated requests for information in relation to the Bible study group went unanswered by the Trump administration.
A Bible study takes place at the White House each week, led by pastor Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries, and although it’s reported that President Trump doesn’t attend in person, high profile figures like Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos apparently do. …
It has asked for ‘documents including correspondence, call logs, and meeting records related to Ralph Drollinger, [his wife] Danielle Drollinger, and other Capitol Ministries personnel,’ but so far the requests have gone unanswered.
Response: If you read from the official website of the ‘People for the American Way,’ the group maintains that freedom of religion has limitations which should be ‘trumped’ when it comes to ‘civil rights’ including the rights of LGBT folks. The group is in favor of targeting faith-based organizations and religious facilities that they say are ‘discriminating’ against LGBT people. They contend that the First Amendment should not apply.
If you read between the lines of what this group stands for you can get a picture of what they are trying to do with a lawsuit asking for information about what is being taught in the White House Bible study group. It is the clear dogma of the group that any opposition to homosexuals, LGBT folks, same-sex marriage, and abortion should be deemed as ‘illegal’ whether such teaching is from the Bible or not. They contend that religious liberty should be limited and hard lines between the state and religion should be maintained.
So from the perspective of the ‘People for the American Way,’ any teaching in the White House that may include a conservative Christian understanding of the Bible should be suspect and probably outlawed since it is a government building. Particularly if the teaching opposes homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, and exclusively supports one religion.
But others also point out that the White House is also the private residence for the President and his family and the First Family should have the right to practice their own faith along with every body else working there.
It will be interesting to see how a court responds to this suit. As a side, Bible Studies were also held in the White House during the Obama and Bush administrations without any protests. Also there has been a long history of religious services of various kinds including prayer and worship services and Bible studies being held there over the years. This is the first legal challenge to religious freedom in the White House. *Top
