March 17, 1999
EDITORIAL:
Do the write thing; preserve liberty
___Americans owe their religious liberty to valiant patriots who purchased the "first freedom" with their own blood. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court has eroded that freedom twice in this decade.
___In 1990, the high court struck down the long-held principle that government must demonstrate it has a "compelling interest" before it can restrict citizens' religious practices. Congress restored the compelling interest principle in 1993, when it passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. But in 1997, the Supreme Court determined the federal act could not be applied to the states.
___This week, you can do your part to help restore and preserve religious liberty in Texas. Write a couple of letters to your state legislators, urging them to pass the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
___The Texas RFRA--Senate Bill 138 and House Bill 601--is making its way through the Texas Legislature. The proposed law would restore the compelling interest principle in the Lone Star State, and it would require the state to use the "least restrictive means," even when it demonstrates a compelling interest, to restrict religious practice.
___You might think this common-sense bill would sail through the Legislature. You would be wrong. Although the Senate version of the bill passed the Senate State Affairs Committee 5-0, it has picked up opposition in the Senate and faces a battle in the House.
___Much of the opposition arises from some municipalities, which fear dissipation of their authority to restrict questionable behavior and to enforce zoning and safety codes. Some historical organizations also oppose the bill, fearful that it would limit their ability to preserve historic buildings, particularly churches.
___Municipalities' fears were expressed in a Senate State Affairs Committee hearing by Shirley Spellerberg, mayor of Corinth. If the bill passes, "a person may willfully violate any law" such as "smoking pot," by claiming the action is part of the person's religious beliefs, Spellerberg predicted. She also forecast huge zoning problems with large churches springing up in residential neighborhoods.
___Sen. David Sibley, R-Waco, the Senate sponsor of the bill, countered those claims. "This is such an eccentric interpretation that it could not rise to the point of legal opinion," he told Spellerberg.
___Nevertheless, opponents of the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act persist in painting scary scenarios designed to prevent passage. And supporters of the bill are concerned about its welfare.
___They're worried that opponents may try to amend the bill into oblivion. The proposal is backed by a broad coalition of religious denominations and organizations, representing every point on the theological/political spectrum. "If opponents try to amend the bill, the coalition might crack, and support for the bill would chip away," explained Weston Ware, director of citizenship education for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.
___You can help the cause by writing to your state senator and representative. Urge each of them to support the legislation as a "clean bill" with no amendments, Ware advised. The cleaner the bill, the more likely the coalition supporting it will hold.
___And the more likely Texans' religious liberty will be preserved.
___Other important bills are winding their way through the legislative process.
___You may have seen or heard reports on attempts to undermine proposals to rid the state of "eight-liner" video gambling machines. The gambling industry is spreading ridiculous rumors that the legislation would outlaw children's video games. Don't be suckered by the gambling con artists.
___Bills to require parental notification and parental consent before a minor girl can have an abortion also are under fire.
___Although Texas Baptists voted last fall to oppose vouchers to finance private parochial education with public funds, voucher supporters have mounted a vigorous campaign to channel state funds into private/church schools.
___Keep abreast of all these issues. Read the Standard and your local newspaper. Write your legislators and urge them to do right.
___ --Marv Knox
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