Faith, Freedom, and the Constitution: A Rightly Ordered Liberty

In America, religious liberty is not merely a tradition—it is a constitutional cornerstone. The First Amendment boldly declares that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” These twin protections ensure both that citizens are free to worship God according to conscience and that no religious tradition, however fervent, can claim dominion over public law.

Recently, Governor Abbott stated, “Texas is a law-and-order state, and those scheming to evade law enforcement scrutiny must know justice is awaiting them. That is why I directed the Texas Rangers to fully investigate the group behind the proposed EPIC compound for potentially violating criminal law. Texas will ensure that anyone affiliated with EPIC who is breaking the law is brought to justice.”

This balance is both delicate and deliberate. Your right to worship is sacred—but it does not

override the rule of law, displace constitutional norms, or permit the formation of parallel systems that function outside those boundaries. That’s why developments like EPIC City merit close attention. While every American—Muslim, Christian, or otherwise—is guaranteed the freedom to worship, that right does not extend to reshaping civic life according to religious law or replacing the constitutional framework with sectarian preferences.

The Constitution does not elevate one faith above another, but it does anchor all liberty in ordered freedom. The rise of faith-based enclaves that aim to model life around a specific doctrine—like Shariah—raises important questions: Are we witnessing vibrant religious communities, or are we slowly permitting the formation of ideologically governed zones incompatible with pluralistic

democracy?

As believers, we defend religious liberty because it is a God-given right. But we also defend the Constitution because it is the vessel through which that liberty is preserved. EPIC City reminds us that while worship is personal, law is public—and both must remain rightly ordered.

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About Citizens Defending Freedom

Founded in 2021, Citizens Defending Freedom is a non-profit organization that strategically

operates in states across America to help citizens defend their faith and freedom, all while

fighting for transparency in local government. Currently, Citizens Defending Freedom is

established in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas, with plans to continue expanding across America. Click here to learn more about Citizens Defending Freedom.