Supporters, critics clash over Georgia’s religious liberty legislation
The tit for tat over Georgia’s religious liberty legislation resumed Wednesday when its sponsor took to the Senate floor and fired back at critics.
Republican state Sen. Joshua McKoon of Columbus rejected an allegation former state Attorney General Mike Bowers made about Senate Bill 129 this week. Bowers said the bill could create a new loophole for Ku Klux Klan members to skirt the state's anti-mask laws.
“To suggest that we would make common cause with hate-filled racist groups is perhaps the most offensive allegation that has been made,” McKoon said.
Supporters of the legislation describe it as a way to protect people of any religion from government interference. McKoon said the debate over it boils down to whether Georgia will be “a place where we carve out in law where people of faith not only can exist but flourish.”
Later Wednesday, a group of clergy members from across the state held a news conference to denounce the legislation as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” They worry the bill could lead to discrimination against gays and lesbians and inspire frivolous lawsuits. They said they represent more than 180 clergy members from many different denominations who signed a letter opposing the legislation. A similar bill is pending in the House.
“This legislation endorses bigotry and could legalize discrimination,” said Rabbi Joshua Lesser of the Congregation Bet Haverim, an Atlanta synagogue founded by gays and lesbians. “I believe this bill weaponizes religion.”
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Jeremy Redmon is an award-winning journalist, essayist and educator with more than three decades of experience reporting for newspapers.
