Experts Call for Vigilance on Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience

On April 11 the Lake Union Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department hosted “Two Freedoms, One Nation: Religious and Civil Liberty at 250” on the campus of Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, urging attendees to remain alert in defending religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

The divine service message by John Lomacang, Illinois Conference pastor and Three Angels Broadcasting Network host, formed the centerpiece of the day, organizers said. In his sermon, “The Final Battle Over Conscience,” Lomacang argued that modern crises are conditioning society for a future conflict over worship and religious liberty.

Opening with a personal account from September 11, 2001, Lomacang recalled how he and his wife were on a flight from London to the United States when it was diverted to Canada after the attacks. “America changed drastically,” he said, describing the fear, suspicion, and expanded security that followed.

From there, Lomacang said America is moving toward the prophetic scenario of Revelation 13. “We are all on the same toll road . . . America is on the toll road to fulfilling the prophetic vision of Revelation 13,” he said. He framed the deeper issue as one of personal choice and conscience. “Who owns the power of choice? Who has the right to control our choices?” he asked.

Lomacang pointed to 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic as examples of how crises can accelerate social and political change. “Don’t allow crises to go to waste,” he said, warning that urgency can justify lasting restrictions. He said such moments can shift public expectations from liberty toward security and compliance.

He also described cultural flashpoints such as vaccines, abortion, LGBTQ issues, race, and climate as “wedge issues” that deepen division and prepare society to yield on future religious questions. “You can unite people that disagree through wedge issues,” he said. He closed by warning that calls for rest, unity, and renewal could eventually become tools of coercion. Quoting Acts 5:29, he urged believers to settle their convictions now: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

The daylong event also included a Sabbath School program featuring PARL directors from across the Lake Union. Using the weekly lesson as a starting point, panelists explored God’s character as love and the implications of that truth for human dignity, freedom of conscience, and respect for individual decision-making. Speakers emphasized that the church’s commitment to religious liberty extends beyond its own members and includes defending freedom for all.

In the afternoon two additional panels deepened the discussion. One, made up of theological scholars, highlighted the close connection between religious liberty and civil liberty, and the importance of protecting both. The second examined the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s historical engagement with civil liberties, noting both examples of principled leadership and areas where the church has fallen short, while pointing to present efforts to advocate for freedom.

Lake Union Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director Jennifer Gray Woods said she hopes attendees left with “a deeper awareness of these issues and a renewed commitment to defend those foundational freedoms.”

The original version of this story was posted on Lake Union Herald.