The Hobby Lobby Decision for Christians in the Marketplace – by Jim Firnstahl

Dear Friends,

I am writing to draw your attention to a new feature on our website called “Marketplace Discussions.”  These discussions will feature timely information about topics important to Christian marketplace leaders.  

 

Currently you will find two videos of a three-part series on Freedom of Religion wherein we make the case as part of a broader understanding known as freedom of conscience or soul freedom.  

 

The Hobby Lobby Case

 

Just today we learned that the US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, the very legal case we reference in our video series. 

Hobby Lobby is a closely held US company owned by the Green family, a self-professed group of Christians.  This is an important legal victory because the US Government was asking the Green family, as owners of Hobby Lobby, to violate their conscience by providing abortion inducing drugs and services to their employees.  This victory means they are now legally allowed to refuse to offer these services. 

While this case has many legal points to be studied and made, it primarily means that the owners of closely held companies can express their strongly held religious views through company policy.  It would also appear that publically held or public stock companies cannot make such claims since they lack the ability to express individual beliefs.  Effectively they are non-religious by virtue of their ownership structure.  

This is a moment of clarity for the marketplace.  It is a landmark legal decision to be sure, but it also gives legal protection and comfort to Christian business owners and leaders to live and present Jesus Christ right where they are everyday, in the marketplace.

You are cordially invited to view our video series and then add your thoughts to the blog on our homepage: CBMC International  For your immediate convenience we have attached the first two videos in the series immediately below.

CBMC MARKETPLACE DISCUSSION – Hobby Lobby and Freedom of Conscience – Episode 1

CBMC MARKETPLACE DISCUSSION – Hobby Lobby and Freedom of Conscience – Episode 2