West Virginians clash over religious freedom bill at hearing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Some folks stated West Virginia wants a regulation to codify the fitting of residents to problem authorities rules that intrude with their non secular beliefs due to rising threats to their constitutional freedoms.

Others who spoke throughout a public listening to on the state Capitol Friday stated they’re apprehensive the proposal advancing within the Legislature can be used as a instrument to discriminate towards LGBTQ folks and different marginalized teams.

“Exercising your faith doesn’t imply discriminating or condemning folks as a result of they don’t have identical beliefs as you,” stated Jessica Eplin, who stated she is apprehensive about how the proposed regulation might have an effect on her as an atheist and her baby, who’s transgender.

The invoice, which handed the Home Judiciary Committee earlier this week and is now earlier than the total Home of Delegates, would require a authorities entity to have a compelling cause to burden somebody’s constitutional proper to freedom of faith and to satisfy its targets within the least restrictive means potential.

An identical invoice failed in 2016 after lawmakers voiced issues about the way it might have an effect on LGBTQ residents. Then-Senate Majority Chief Mitch Carmichael wiped away tears on the Senate ground as he spoke in assist of Democratic-proposed modification that might bar the laws from getting used to discriminate towards LGBTQ folks.

The invoice additionally dictates that the proposed regulation couldn’t be used to allow entry to abortion, which was banned by West Virginia lawmakers final yr. The availability was included as abortion rights teams are difficult abortion bans in some states by arguing the bans — supported by sure non secular ideas — violate the non secular rights of individuals with totally different beliefs.

Republican sponsors say the invoice has good intentions. Del. Chris Pritt of Kanawha County, who’s a Christian, stated the invoice would make West Virginia enticing to financial growth. He stated it’s not nearly defending Christians, however non secular minorities within the state, too.

However Catherine Jones, a homosexual lady, stated the invoice would do nothing however “legalize discrimination towards already marginalized communities.” She stated she fears the invoice might permit companies to problem metropolis ordinances prohibiting discrimination in housing or employment primarily based on sexual orientation or gender id.

“I shouldn’t be afraid of not being served at a restaurant as a result of I’ve a special relationship than you do,” she informed lawmakers. “This invoice will do nothing however unfold hate and violence throughout our state.”

Not less than 23 different states have non secular freedom restoration acts. The legal guidelines are much like the federal Non secular Freedom Restoration Act, signed in 1993 by President Invoice Clinton, which permits federal rules that intrude with non secular beliefs to be challenged.

Eli Baumwell, advocacy director and the Interim government director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, stated the 1993 federal regulation was designed to designed to guard folks, particularly non secular minorities, from legal guidelines that affected their skill to have interaction in private practices of their religion.

“Sadly, folks have seized upon a good suggestion and switch it a defend right into a sword,” stated Baumwell, who spoke in opposition to the invoice. “RFRAs at present are promoted by organizations and ideologies and aren’t involved about particular person non secular observances. They’re centered on circumventing legal guidelines that require honest and equal therapy.”

Individuals who spoke in assist of the invoice stated they had been involved in regards to the authorities imposing vaccination necessities towards folks’s non secular beliefs and restrictions in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted in-person worship in states throughout the U.S.

Monica Ballard Sales space stated she helps the invoice as a result of she needs to see equal safety for folks of all faiths. “Since some have questioned why this was vital, I’ll let you know why it’s vital: Christians are probably the most persecuted group on this planet,” she stated.

Pastor Bo Burgess of West Virginia Baptists for Biblical Values stated he doesn’t imagine the invoice could possibly be used to discriminate towards anybody — it’s about defending folks from discrimination, she stated.

“This laws doesn’t permit me or a enterprise to go round and assault different folks teams,” he stated. “There’s no folks group language within the invoice.”

Baptist Pastor Dan Stevens of Wooden County stated folks like him need the identical advantages of equal safety as individuals who oppose the invoice.

“We dwell out our firmly held non secular beliefs and convictions about marriage, the household, human sexuality, the worth of human life from conception to the grave with out worry,” he stated. “This invoice designed not as a instrument of discrimination utilized by folks of religion however to guard the folks of religion towards discrimination for individuals who are against our beliefs and our way of life.”