By BJC Blogger Don Byrd
So many religion-themed bills are being proposed and advanced in state legislatures these days, it’s hard to keep up.
In Texas, a resolution was introduced Feb. 25 that says the legislature “support(s) prayers, including the use of the word ‘God,’ at public gatherings as well as displays of the Ten Commandments in public educational institutions and other government buildings.”
In North Carolina, meanwhile, a bill would add a Bible study elective to the public school curriculum (see other story in Report from the Capital). The bill, as written, only names the Bible as an option.
In late February, I [Don Byrd] posted about proposed legislation in Kentucky that would raise the standard of scrutiny on state action that burdens religious exercise. The version that came out of committee required a “compelling government interest” for any burden on religious exercise. After an amendment, however, the version that passed the House and Senate was amended to add one important word to the legislation: “substantial.” That change means the bill that was sent to the governor would require that highest level of judicial scrutiny only for “substantial burdens” on religious exercise. [UPDATE since publication in Report from the Capital: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear vetoed the bill, but the legislature voted to override the veto]
Tennessee is considering legislation that would allow student religious organizations to discriminate in membership. So is Virginia, where a constitutional amendment about religion in schools is also making its way through the legislative process.
Oklahoma is pondering a student academic freedom bill that is all about religion but dares not mention the name. The one in Missouri is more direct about its interest in creationism (and probably has worse prospects for passage as a result).
A version of this story appeared on Blog from the Capital. Keep up with the blog online at BJConline.org/blog. You can contact Don at [email protected].
From the March 2013 Report from the Capital. Click here to read the next article.
