April 27, 2024
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) SB180), authored by Sen. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) along with 25 senator sponsors, is running out of time!
Next Thursday, March 28, at midnight, is the final day of the 2024 legislative session.
The RFRA has strongly passed the Senate, but at this time it still has not even had a hearing in the House. The bill is in the House Judiciary Committee awaiting a hearing. Click here for a list of members on the committee that you can reach out to.
This bill is extremely important because it provides people of faith the same protections from state and local government actions that they now have from federal government actions. It merely provides that the RFRA protections from federal law will also apply to religious-liberty questions arising under Georgia law.
Click here for a short video of Matt Sharp, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, discussing RFRA at the 2024 Georgia Baptist Pastors Day in February.
Enactment of SB 180 will bring Georgia into line with other states that have taken action to restore a full level of legal protection for people of faith.
While many opposing this legislation accuse the RFRA of being discriminatory, that is simply not true. This legislation is not about causing any discrimination. A RFRA protects people of faith from government intrusion and being forced to violate their First Amendment right of conscience.
It restores the original intent of what the First Amendment in the US Constitution is all about. This original intent is an encouragement for churches to press on for evangelism and missions. Our standing for religious freedom is a part of our responsibility as American citizens to keep promoting the gospel in the public square!
Please continue praying intentionally and contacting your state House member now to urge him or her to voice their support for RFRA to their colleagues and to vote for it if it comes to the floor of the House for a vote. Find your House of Representatives contact information here.
It is for such a time as this that I believe the Lord has brought us into His Kingdom to stand up for religious freedom in our nation. Let’s remain faithful to our Lord!
God bless you as you press on for Christ!
___
Mike Griffin is the Public Affairs Representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
