Georgia House Speaker David Ralston may be first out of the gate in the race for passage of a religious liberty bill.
A pastor protection bill, considered the more moderate of three proposals being touted, could reach the House in a matter of days after being dropped on Wednesday.
The bill is being sponsored by state Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville but was first discussed and is heavily backed by Ralston.
It would write into state law that a religious leader cannot be forced to perform a marriage cermony that violates the religous leaders personal religious beliefs. It is seen by some as an alternative to the more controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act by Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus.
McKoon has said his bill merely requires state government to restrain itself when it comes to interfering in anyone’s religion. But opponents say it sanctions discrimination against gays and lesbians and sends and unfavorable message about Georgia.
Tanner’s bill, reads, in part: “No minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, when acting in his or her official religious capacity, shall be required to solemnize any marriage in violation of his or her right to free exercise of religion under the Constitution of this state or of the United States.”
