Religion
Related: About this forumReligious Freedom Act in Kansas Legislature draws praise, criticism
By Adam Strunk
Eagle Topeka bureau
Published Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at 10:28 p.m
Proponents say the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act would protect Kansans right to practice their religion. Opponents see it as an open door to discrimination and lawsuits.
The bill, HB 2260, will have a hearing before the state House Judiciary Committee this morning. It would prohibit state institutions from curtailing or denying a persons exercise of religion, unless government has a compelling reason to do so.
It also would allow people to sue state institutions and local governments for infringing on their religious freedom.
Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, who introduced the bill, said it seeks to make sure Kansans religious beliefs are respected.
http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/13/2215085/religious-freedom-act-in-kansas.html
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)"Kinzer also said the bill would work to restore a federal law, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, to the state level.
"The Supreme Court had ruled in 1997 that the law applied only at the federal level. That law has similar language to the current bill."
I don't like to give reflexive answers.
benld74
(9,904 posts)Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)The freedom for god-fearing christians to do what they want. I'm guessing the law will not be interpreted so favorably to protect the godless and muslims and jews and.....
dmallind
(10,437 posts)Give this about three minutes even with this SCOTUS. Unless of course they just say "yes, and preventing establishment is always a compelling reason", leaving us precisely as is.
MuseRider
(34,105 posts)This year it is worse. Effective as of July 1 (I think that is the date) any institution in this state that takes tax money can be sued by anyone who thinks their inclusive anti discrimination policies hurts them because of their religion. It is specifically targeted at LGBT inclusion. This will wipe out any inclusion in any city that has it, any school system, any of the universities etc. It is a very very bad bill. I am on pins and needles waiting to hear what happens. The secretaries were laughing when I called, apparently both sides were mobilized. Even emails did not get through. We did our work, we have done our homework, our executive director is making a very well done statement but in the end it will be what this committee decides and there is really no doubt if it makes it to the floor for a vote it will pass.
It is a bash the gays bill. Lance Kinzer was livid last year when we managed to get it blocked. It was renewed by Democrat Jan Pauls. It was still blocked.
The odd thing is that our polling shows that the majority of Kansas does not want this. The only poll that showed they were against was should we allow marriage equality. Our legislators and our governor do not care, they do not like the gays and want to stop all the progress we have made here.
no action was taken on the bill today. I believe they are going to have to make it more specific. It will be back.
http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-14/religious-freedom-bill-evokes-contrary-views