Danger: You May Lose Your Religious Liberty

Religious liberty — one of America's most foundational values — is under serious threat, and Texas is where the battle is playing out most visibly. Fueled by the ideology of Christian Nationalism, politicians and public figures have targeted the state's 500,000-plus Muslim residents through discriminatory policies, inflammatory rhetoric, and outright denial of civil rights. 

I argue attacks on the freedoms of any faith community is an attack on the freedoms of all — Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and beyond. This episode explains what religious liberty really means, who is threatening it and why, and how ordinary citizens can push back.

Transcript

Texans are in danger of losing our religious liberty. That’s my reaction from living in Texas amid a campaign of bigotry against the Muslim community and faith. Texas Monthly described a recent event like this: “Some six thousand Texans gathered in front of Sugar Land’s city hall to break bread together. The occasion was an iftar, the end-of-the-day meal during Ramadan, a time of fasting and prayer for many of the world’s two billion Muslims. Families sat together. Kids blew bubbles and kicked soccer balls. All enjoyed free food provided by two local restaurants. As the sun set, the adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, played over loudspeakers as a video screen showed the faithful gathered in Mecca.” [1] For Sugar Land’s large, vibrant Muslim community, it was a joyous, peaceful occasion. 

The backlash opposing the festival came swiftly. That shows the danger—if Muslims are attacked for having a community festival about their faith, then any of us, no matter what our allegiance may be, are in danger. 

I’m LP your host of TFJ, a network dedicated to building well-being through spirituality, psychology, and ethics. We need to explore the central American right of religious liberty and how we must preserve it for everyone—and yes, that includes Christians and American of all traditions. Today I want to do three things — show you what's happening on the ground in Texas, explain what religious liberty actually means and why it's fragile, and then offer three concrete actions you can take.

                Here’s the situation now. Texas is home to more than 500,000 Muslims. Dozens of mosques are found in the cities from north to south. In March 2026 more than 35,000 gathered in Houston for a festival at the beginning of Ramadan for food, prayer, and solidarity.

                Yet a dark current of hate flows in the public arena today. Not everyone is happy with Muslims. Political ads have issued dark warnings about terrorism. This year right-wing influencer and convicted felon, Steve Bannon, told a meeting of the Save Texas from Radical Islam group, “They’ve taken London. They’ve taken New York City. They’ve taken Chicago. And they would give them all up for Texas. In this very state, we’re going to tell them, ‘Take your shari’a law and shove it.’ ”

                The Texas governor, Greg Abbott, is leading a coordinated Republican campaign against Muslims. He has declared, without any evidence, a 30-year-old civil rights organization, the Council on American Islamic Relations, as a “terrorist organization.” Muslim charter schools are excluded from the new educational vouchers that grant thousands of dollars to parents for private education. A Muslim state representative received so many threats he hired a security firm to guard his house. Abbott has attacked the Muslim religious code, called Shari’a Law, in spite of the fact that Catholics have Canon Law and Mormons a General Handbook for conduct and discipline. All of this has the ugly marks of a hate campaign not been seen since the battles over desegregation 75 years ago.

Let me share my bias: I’m proud to be a member of a Christian congregation that has shared a building and worship services with the local synagogue. It has hosted inter-faith discussions. These actions build understanding and strengthen the fabric of a community. Surely all of us can agree that God is bigger than any person or group can contain or understand. All of us benefit when we learn from each other and coexist in the human quest to seek God. 

Stepping back for a wider view is important. What is the wonderful American value of religious liberty? You know that the First Amendment of the US Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” For 250 years these words have enabled all faiths to flourish in America. Religious liberty has benefits for everyone. Churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues must be supported by donations, not taxes. No elected office could have a requirement about the official’s religion. Corporations must provide accommodation for people to observe their faith. A prospective soldier can be excused from military service by a Conscientious Objection waiver. The state must be neutral to not promote or diminish any religion. Most important, our freedom to believe and gather with others is an iron-clad right. 

THANK YOU…

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                Today the freedoms of religious liberty are under attack. Gunmen have killed Muslims and Jews in houses of worship. Mosques, temples, and synagogues have been denied building permits. Social media spews hate from anonymous cowards. A Texas woman was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder when she tried to drown a three-year-old because the mother wore a hijab and spoke Arabic. In the ultimate irony, Texas leaders threatened protestors demonstrating against Israel’s attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, but have themselves attacked the freedoms of Muslims in Texas!

                When I worked as a hospital chaplain several Muslim nurses who wore the traditional head covering reported being criticized by Christian patients who told them they were going to Hell. I felt sadness for the nurse and frustration at the intolerant patient who forgot about Jesus saying, “love your neighbor.,” 

                You might be asking, “Where did this campaign of discrimination come from? The source of this bigotry is Christian Nationalism, which teaches the falsehood that America is a nation which must give Christians primary place in all areas. “Christian nationalism contends that America has been and should always must be distinctively ‘Christian’ from top to bottom — in its self-identity, interpretations of its own history, sacred symbols, cherished values and public policies — and it aims to keep it this way…It is a political movement, and its ultimate goal is power.”[2] This movement is driving the actions of Texas leaders and many others. Here are examples of how this ideology shows up now. It is seen when a Jewish writing, the Ten Commandments, is mandated in public school classrooms, when Muslim healthcare providers are disparaged by patients, as Muslim sponsored community centers are protested, when war is declared a crusade supported by a warrior-like Christian God, and when quasi-Christian student organizations are favored by educators. 

Listen. Frankly, if God needs Republicans to defend Christianity, we are in deep trouble!

                What can you do? Here are some ideas to promote religious liberty. 

First, recognize this bigotry rejects the values of America and breaks the laws of the land. Call out the politicians and influencers who are scorning one of the highest achievements of American society. 

Second, use your voice on social media and in the community to respect the followers of all faith traditions. Set an example of openness, constructive dialogue, and shared values.

Third, connect with a neighbor or coworker of the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Mormon, and any other faith group as a valuable fellow citizen. Ask about their beliefs and share yours. Attend a worship service outside of your own group. 

In America, everyone is vital in building a great society far more healthy, constructive, and rich than the world has never known. Let’s do this together. When we protect the freedom of the Muslim family in Sugarland, we protect the freedom of the Baptist family in Beaumont or the Hindus in Houston. Religious liberty isn't their issue. It's ours.

[1] Forrest Wilder, “Inside the Texas GOP’s Anti-Muslim Campaigning.” Texas Monthly, March 2026 https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-republicans-anti-muslim-midterm-elections/

[2] Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry. Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, Oxford University Press, 2020