Written by Don Byrd
Earlier this week, I posted about the “Pastor Protection Act” that is making its way through the Georgia legislature. The bill purports to allow clergy to refuse to perform marriage ceremonies that violate their religious beliefs. Of course, the First Amendment already offers that protection and would never permit a state to force a minister to perform, or a church to host, an objectionable wedding ceremony. That hasn’t stopped states like Georgia from pursuing legislation like the Pastor Protection Act, just in case.
Now, add Ohio to the list of states considering such a bill. As reported by the Columbus Dispatch, a House committee held a hearing yesterday to discuss the measure, which was introduced in July last year.
In Colorado, however, legislators killed a similar but broader proposal. The Colorado Springs Gazette reports:
Rep. Su Ryden, D-Aurora, said she appreciates clergy-members’ concerns about religious freedom following last year’s Supreme Court ruling that marriage is a constitutional right. But Ryden said House Bill 1123 was “way too broad.”
As written, the bill could have allowed anyone who declared affiliation with a religious organization to deny services based on sexual orientation.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, legislators have moved forward a bill that would exempt any individual “authorized to solemnize marriages” from having to do so if it would violate their religious beliefs. Presumably, this would even include judges and other government officials. SB 41 was approved by the Senate General Laws and Technology committee on a 8-7 vote.
