The Iowa Standard will be publishing various stories in the next few weeks highlighting some conservative Christmas wish list items. The first is easy.
We believe it is imperative for the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee to hold a hearing related to a government entity punishing a ministry over its religious beliefs.
The Iowa Standard reported at length about Broadlawns Hospital severing its contract with Freedom Blend Coffee due to the ministry’s beliefs on marriage. There is no dispute that was the reason for terminating the contract — Broadlawns officials admit it in emails obtained by The Iowa Standard through a Freedom of Information Act request.
A Broadlawns official attempts to cite court rulings in favor of private businesses, but apparently does not realize they aren’t a private business — they are a governmental entity. And governmental entities cannot discriminate based on religious views.
So this isn’t a case of religious liberty, this is a case of a governmental entity punishing a ministry over its religious beliefs — plain and simple.
You can read about this incident here.
Again, the facts aren’t something that can be disputed. Freedom Blend Coffee holds a biblical view of marriage, and because of their views on marriage, the governmental entity felt it necessary to cancel a contract.
That shouldn’t happen in America. It can’t happen in America. Yet it happened right here in Iowa.
If this isn’t a case where the Government Oversight Committee should weigh in, then what is their purpose?
Here is hoping the members of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee examine this. If you’re curious, here is the list of Republicans named to the committee:
Representative Brooke Boden, chair: [email protected]
Rep. Jeff Shipley, vice chair: [email protected]
Rep. Steve Holt: [email protected]
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann: [email protected]
Rep. Phil Thompson: [email protected]
We encourage everyone to email the members and let them know you support a House Government Oversight Committee hearing on this incident.
