David Ralston, speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, writes today that his objective in proposing his Pastor's Protection bill in the next legislative session is to reassure the faith community that the separation of church and state will remain a pillar of Georgia’s values, even though that protection is provided in the the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In our second column, a UGA scholar says Ralston’s legislation is not unusual or legally necessary, but beware other religious liberty bills that are bound to beat a path to the General Assembly’s door next year.

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This aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman