The Heritage Foundation, a conservative US policy organisation often referred to as a think tank, recently released a 168-page document titled “Saving America by saving the family: A foundation for the next 250 years.”

The report outlines national statistics on marriage, birth rates, family life, and religious participation, along with policy ideas aimed at strengthening what it describes as the traditional family structure.

Among its many recommendations is a section titled “Support for a uniform day of rest”, which proposes limiting commercial activity on a designated day in order to encourage time for religious observance, family gatherings, and rest. The document notes research suggesting such practices correlate with improved mental health and stronger social bonds.

While the section speaks broadly of a uniform day of rest, it also highlights that similar proposals in the United States have historically centred on Sunday. So-called “blue laws” — regulations restricting Sunday business activity — have long reflected the majority practice of Sunday worship.

In the 1961 case, McGowan v Maryland, the US Supreme Court upheld Sunday-closing laws as constitutional when framed to provide a uniform day of rest, acknowledging that most people who observe a religious day of rest do so on Sundays.

It is this historical and legal backdrop that has drawn attention from some faith communities. Although the Heritage Foundation proposal is not legislation, it prompted a formal response from the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which expressed concern about religious liberty and government involvement in matters of worship.

Because the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists operates under the North American Division, the discussion has local theological relevance — even though no such legislation is under consideration in Bermuda.

That connection provided an opportunity to seek a local perspective. Pastor DeJaun Tull responded to questions in a personal pastoral capacity, noting that his comments reflect his own understanding of the Church’s position and do not constitute an official statement of the Bermuda Conference.

When asked how closely the local church is following discussions around the proposal, Pastor Tull said the issue is being viewed through a principled rather than political lens.

“As part of the North American Division, the Bermuda Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church remains aware of major policy discussions that touch on religion, conscience, and civil authority. At this stage, our engagement is principled rather than political,” Pastor Tull said.

“As a corporate body, we are not aligned with any political organisation, nor do we assume intent where none has been legislated. However, history has taught Seventh-day Adventists that ideas precede laws, and proposals around a ‘Sunday day of rest’ deserve careful, prayerful attention — not alarmism, but discernment.

“God has blessed this church with a prophetic message that involves this very issue at the end of time (Revelation 13 and 14). We believe that even well-intentioned Sunday legislation crosses a line when the state begins to regulate what belongs to God alone — time set apart as a holy day of worship.

“For Seventh-day Adventists, who believe that God has already given humanity a holy day (Mark 2:27), and that this day is, according to Scripture, truly the Lord’s Day (Mark 2:28), vigilance on this issue is not fear, but faithfulness.”

Asked why the Adventist Church has historically expressed concern about mandated rest legislation, Pastor Tull said the distinction lies not in rest itself, but in compulsion.

“The concern is not rest itself. Scripture affirms rest as a divine gift from the beginning of humanity’s existence (Genesis 2:1–3; Mark 2:27). The concern is coercion.

“Seventh-day Adventists believe the Sabbath — the seventh day — is a commandment of God, not a creation of the state (Exodus 20:8–11). Worship has value only when it is voluntary. Civil government has authority over civil conduct, not over conscience.

“We have a prophetic understanding that the moment the state enforces religious observance, even for noble reasons, it steps into God’s domain and violates Christ’s clear distinction: ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s’ (Matthew 22:21).

“A mandated day of worship, even indirectly, risks punishing those who choose to honour God differently, or biblically, according to conscience.”

While some supporters argue that a uniform rest day could strengthen families and protect workers, Pastor Tull said the tension centres on who would determine and enforce such an observance.

“The tension arises not from rest, but from who defines it and who enforces it,” he said. “Adventists affirm that rest is good. Families need time. Workers deserve protection. But when the state enforces a religiously significant day, three dangers emerge.

“First, conscience is trampled. A person who already rests on the seventh-day Sabbath may be compelled, economically or legally, to observe an additional rest day or to violate conscience to survive.

“Second, minorities are pressured by majorities. We should be concerned about a ‘majority must rule’ mentality in matters of worship. Truth and conscience should never be decided by a vote.

“Third, faith is hollowed out. Worship compelled by law ceases to be worship. God desires willing hearts, not regulated behaviour (Joshua 24:15; Revelation 14:12).

“The Adventist position is simple: Rest is a blessing; forced worship is not.”

Regarding whether the issue has any immediate implications for Bermuda, Pastor Tull emphasised that the matter is currently one of principle rather than imminent legislation.

“At present, this is a matter of principle and awareness, not an imminent legislative threat in Bermuda as far as I can see,” he said. “Seventh-day Adventists believe that liberty is preserved only when it is consciously protected. History demonstrates that erosions of freedom often begin gradually, under the guise of benevolence.

“We are aware that circumstances can shift quickly with social unrest or natural disasters. As we observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, global powers can influence legislative decisions in the name of the common good.

“From our prophetic understanding, we see a possible progression: first, encouragement for nations to ‘refrain’ from working on Sunday for honourable reasons such as rest, family, or climate concerns.

“Then, measures that ‘cause’ nations to honour Sunday while still allowing Sabbath worship. Later, stricter enforcement that could penalise those who refuse.

“Revelation 13:16–17 is understood by Adventists as describing severe end-time restrictions upon those who worship according to conscience.

“However, I am grateful that Bermuda, like the United States, currently upholds freedom of religion, pluralism, and respect for conscience.

“Our responsibility is not necessarily to predict outcomes, but to bear witness to enduring principles: God alone is Lord of the conscience. The state must remain religiously neutral. True faith flourishes best in freedom.”

When asked what message he would share with the broader Bermudian community, Pastor Tull said the Church’s position extends beyond self-interest.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bermuda stands for religious liberty for all people, not just for ourselves.

“We defend the right of Christians to worship on Sunday, the right of Jews or others to observe the Sabbath on Saturday, the right of Muslims to worship on Friday, and the right of every person to follow — or not follow — faith according to conscience.

“We oppose forced worship, not because we reject God’s law, but because we honour it too deeply to place it in human hands. Whenever the State enforces religious observance, even with exemptions, liberty is no longer a right; it becomes a permission granted by power.

“Our appeal is pastoral and peaceful: Let faith persuade, not law compel. Let conscience be sacred. Let Bermuda remain a place where diverse convictions coexist under mutual respect.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bermuda is not seeking privilege; we are seeking principle. We are not resisting rest; we are resisting coercion. And we are not fearful — we are faithful to Christ, who never forced worship, but always invited it.”

While the Heritage Foundation’s proposal remains a policy recommendation rather than legislation, the discussion it has sparked highlights enduring questions about conscience, governance, and the role of faith in public life.

For the Seventh-day Adventist community in Bermuda, the issue is less about immediate change and more about principle — a reminder that, in a plural society, religious freedom is best preserved when it is protected for all.