Conservatives are drawing a line in the sand over religious freedom — and they’re are lining up toe-to-toe against each other.
Tuesday, two groups of conservatives held separate press conferences at the State Capitol — both for and against the eight “religious freedoms” bills set for debate this session.
Two of the bills are being referred to as the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA) — the first of which was sponsored by Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) in 2015. SB 129 passed the Senate last year, but stalled in House Judiciary committee when it was amended to include an anti-discriminatory clause.
Some lawmakers have voiced concern that SB 129 is discriminatory, and have suggested it would legalize discrimination by allowing businesses to refuse services to the LGBT community on religious grounds.
However, supporters of the bill disagree. During one of the press conferences Tuesday Dr. Robert White of the Southern Baptist Convention stated, “We have no desire to discriminate against anyone. The concern I have is that people of faith in Georgia are being discriminated against. And that needs to stop.”
“We need to take a stand for religious freedom now. Take it boldly. Take it strongly,” he added, in support of SB 129.
McKoon has argued that the bill is needed to make sure the government doesn’t infringe on someone’s religious rights without good cause. He has also stated that it closely mirrors a federal act that passed Congress in 1993.
In contrast, Allen Fox — head of the Georgia Republicans for the Future — described the bill as “divisive,” saying that “Divisive religious exemption legislation hurts the brand of our Republican Party.”
In the past two weeks, the number of religious freedom bills in the Georgia General Assembly have grown to eight.
Last week, State Rep. Brian Strickland and State Sen. Burt Jones introduced companion bills that they hope will ensure the student athlete’s rights to express their religious beliefs. Both HB 870 and SB 309 are being sponsored by some of the state’s most powerful legislators. And both Jones and Strickland say Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has been supportive of their efforts.
“This bill grew from an issue last fall when a high school cross country runner was kicked out of a meet because of a headband with John 3:16 written on it,” said Jones. “We want to make sure that no student is singled out or disqualified because they are expressing their religious beliefs.”
One of the eight bills protects florists, bakeries and other businesses from forcibly participating in gay weddings. And still another, protects pastors from forcibly participating in gay weddings. This bill has the support of House Minority Leader, Rep. Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta), the daughter of ministers.
Among the other bills, one is being referred to as the first amendment defense act, and another is aimed at stopping government outreach against religious expression.
