Religious liberty bills
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One of several “religious liberty” bills cleared a hurdle Thursday when a state House subcommittee endorsed a bill known as the Pastor Protection Act.
House Bill 757 would write into state law that a religious person is not required to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony. Lawmakers agreed to consider amendments to the bill that would address concerns about the legislation affecting a person's access to housing.
"The Pastor Protection Act is a simple reaffirmation of our bedrock principle of separation of church and state," said state Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville. "There was an unease expressed by those who have served God their entire lives that a day might come when the government would try to compel them to violate their sacred oaths."
Tanner said his bill, one of seven religious liberty bills now under consideration in the General Assembly, seeks to “reassure the faith community” that “the state government has no intention of requiring” members of the clergy to perform marriage ceremonies “not congruent with their beliefs.”
House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, is one of the lawmakers championing HB 757, increasing its chances of passing. Some lawmakers remain unconvinced the state has a real need for the legislation.
State Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta, said the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage does not "compel a pastor to do something that violates their religious belief." Tanner said religious leaders expressed concerns the state did not protect them from performing same-sex weddings if they contradict their religious beliefs.
Tanner’s bill would also exempt religious organizations from renting, leasing or granting permission for their “property to be used by another person for purposes” that contradict their faith. One of the concerns this section of the bill raised was whether it could affect a person’s access to services paid by taxpayer dollars, including public housing.
“It could be applied to religious organizations that have an affiliated nonprofit organization that are currently using state and federal tax dollars to provide essential community services,” said Jeff Graham, the executive director of Georgia Equality.
Graham said Georgia is “one of two states without any form of statewide civil rights or nondiscrimination” laws. He said Georgia Equality remains “hopeful” that state lawmakers will “address these gaps.”
State Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna, proposed an amendment that would ensure religious organizations do not "use taxpayer funds for discriminatory purposes." She wanted a commitment that the amendment would be considered by the full committee.
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