The Justices ought to protect religious freedom for all Americans, including business owners

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on behalf of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties, Corp., whose business owners have brought lawsuits against the government's HHS Mandate. In January, the Thomas More Society filed an amicus brief urging the Court to uphold the religious liberties of these business owners who wish to run their companies in accord with their sincerely-held religious beliefs.

After today's oral arguments, Thomas More Society attorneys are hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of religious liberty. The rulings in these cases will affect, either for good or for ill, the more than 300 plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits across the country against the HHS Mandate. Five of these lawsuits were filed by Thomas More Society on behalf of American private businesses and their owners as well as on behalf of individuals who object to paying for insurance coverage for contraceptives, abortion-inducing drugs, and sterilization, based on their sincerely held religious convictions.

"Americans shouldn't be forced to check their conscientious religious beliefs at the door when they open and conduct a business," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. "Freedom of religion has been one of our foundational values and solemn commitments from the very inception of our nation, and we sincerely hope that the Supreme Court will fully protect, rather than diminish, this precious legacy as it is now more vitally needed than ever for the flourishing of our citizens, our families, and the good of our nation."

Read the Thomas More Society amicus brief, filed along with Liberty, Life, and Law Foundation, and Christian Family Coalition, here.

About the Thomas More Society
Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm that exists to restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro-bono professional legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court. www.thomasmoresociety.org