In my opinion, the HHS Mandate which would force religious institutions to violate their teachings or face crippling fines and sanctions represents one of the most serious challenges to America’s Constitutional Government since the Civil War.

This mandate is not a law. It is a government agency rule, established by vote of a small committee of private individuals who were not elected by or answerable to the American people. If allowed to stand, the mandate will establish the precedent that the government may coerce the ministries of whole denominations to violate their own moral teachings or be shut down by government fines and sanctions. This is a direct, deliberate violation of the freedom of religion which Americans have enjoyed for over 200 years. This mandate must not stand.

I feel it is our duty as Americans to oppose the HHS Mandate and to insist that our elected officials act to…