Dr. Phil McGraw told Newsmax on Friday that religious liberty is under attack in the United States, warning that Christians have been made to feel like "second-class citizens" while urging Americans to stop apologizing for their country.
McGraw, a member of President Donald Trump's Presidential Religious Liberty Commission, made the remarks on "Finnerty" hours after the commission released a draft report outlining recommendations aimed at strengthening religious liberty nationwide.
The commission, chaired by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick with Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chairman, said it heard testimony from more than 100 witnesses over seven hearings about alleged religious discrimination in schools, the military, healthcare and the workplace.
"I do think that religious liberty is under attack in the United States," McGraw said. "And I think that's why President Trump took the initiative to form the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty."
McGraw said the commission's work convinced him the issue extends well beyond the ability to attend a church, synagogue or mosque.
"We've had over 100 witnesses across our seven commission hearings, and they're telling us that it's encroaching onto their military service, education, both as teachers and students, healthcare, with doctors being forced to do things that are contrary to their belief system," he said.
The commission's draft report similarly concludes that witnesses described threats to religious liberty affecting students, teachers, parents, service members, healthcare workers and faith-based institutions, while recommending legal and policy changes to strengthen protections.
Asked about Islam and religious freedom, McGraw emphasized that Americans should be free to practice the religion of their choice but distinguished that principle from what he described as radical Islam.
"Everybody should have the right to pursue the religion, the belief system that they want. That's what liberty is all about, being able to choose," he said.
"But there's a difference between the right to choose and being forced to do something against your religion or being forced into a belief system. ... That's not what we're about in America."
McGraw also criticized what he called growing attacks on Christians and parents.
"We're in a situation where parental rights have been tramped all over, faith-based institutions, antisemitism has run amok here and Christians are being persecuted and killed around the world, not just in America, so this fight is fundamental to our rights," he said.
The commission's report includes chapters on parental rights, antisemitism, education, healthcare and religious liberty in the military, along with recommendations for federal agencies and Congress.
When asked whether Shariah has a place in Western society, McGraw replied, "Personally, with my belief system, I certainly do not."
He argued that many Christians have become reluctant to publicly defend their beliefs.
"I have this feeling that Christians somehow have been convinced that they're second-class citizens. That's not the truth," McGraw said. "We have so many in the heartland that have been kind of unwilling to step up and speak up. And I think that's changing."
As examples, he cited testimony from a teacher who displayed a cross in her classroom and football coach Joe Kennedy, who successfully challenged his dismissal after praying on the field following games.
McGraw closed by defending the United States against what he described as a growing tendency among some political figures to criticize the nation.
"I really do get weary of people apologizing for America," he said. "We don't need to apologize for America.
"Is this a perfect country? No, and I love this country enough that I can love it, flaws, fallacies and all.
"It hasn't been perfect [for] the entire 250 years but, you know what, we learn from the things that came before us, we do better as we go along, and it is still the best country on the globe.
"We don't need to apologize for America. People need to stop doing that."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight’s special series and President Trump’s comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com