GREENVILLE, S.C. — Religious liberties were a hot topic at the Citizens United Freedom Summit Saturday, with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal taking particular offense at a remark made by Hillary Clinton on the issue.
Jindal wondered how Clinton could actually change an individual’s religious views saying, “And by the way the speech in this conference where she said those of us who are pro-life should need to have our religious beliefs changed. She didn’t say how. What does it mean? Re-education camps? She proposed to have our religious beliefs changed.” (RELATED: Hillary On Abortion: ‘Deep-Seated Cultural Codes, Religious Beliefs And Structural Biases Have To Be Changed’)
“You have to see her most recent comments on religious liberties. Those of us that are pro-life need to have our religious beliefs changed. I can’t imagine a more preposterous and offensive comment,” Jindal said.
Clinton made the remarks in a speech she gave at the annual Women in the World conference in New York City on April 23.
She said, “Far too many women are denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth, and laws don’t count for much if they’re not enforced. Rights have to exist in practice — not just on paper.”
Clinton said, “Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will,” she explained. And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.”
She added, “As I have said and as I believe, the advancement of the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of their societies is the great unfinished business of the 21st century and not just for women but for everyone — and not just in far away countries but right here in the United States.”
Jindal said, “My religious beliefs aren’t between me and Hillary Clinton. They’re between me and God. I’m not going to change them simply because she doesn’t like them. She doesn’t seem to understand the First Amendment fundamental rights that we are provided. And one of those foundational rights is religious liberty.”