The Georgia Baptist Convention issued the following announcement after last week’s vote in the Georgia State Senate to approve Senate Bill 129 (SB 129):
ANNOUNCEMENT by Georgia Baptist Convention
Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SB 129) Passed by Georgia Senate
Date: March 05 2015
The Georgia Baptist Convention would like to congratulate Sen. Josh McKoon and the Georgia Senate Leadership for their successful passage of the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act, SB 129 (37 to 15)….
The Georgia Baptist Convention encourages the Georgia House of Representatives to take up this important legislation that prevents government overreach against a citizen’s free exercise of religion. This legislation does not allow any forms of bigotry or discrimination but rather prevents such things against people of faith.
“All Georgians should be thankful that they are one step closer to the same protections that are already granted to 30 other states.” said Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director, Georgia Baptist Convention. “We are appreciative of the work in the Senate and look forward to the House taking up the bill.”
Georgia deserves to have its own Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in order to protect its citizens from discrimination by their state and local governments. We urge Speaker David Ralston and the leadership of the Georgia House of Representatives to move quickly to protect Georgians’ most basic right, the right to believe and practice their faith without government intrusion as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
