CAMPAIGNWill You Take a Stand for Religious Freedom?

Overview

Some states have taken a stand for religious freedom by passing a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) modeled after the 1993 federal RFRA. These state RFRAs prevent government interference in the free exercise of religion unless it is absolutely necessary, and if necessary, using the least restrictive means possible.

The big picture

Despite what the mainstream media may have you believe, RFRAs are about one thing: religious freedom. For more than 200 years, the First Amendment has protected the free exercise of religion—and for good reason. Here are just a few examples of what can happen when religious freedom is not protected:

  • The Obamacare abortion pill mandate required the Hahn family to violate their conscience by requiring them to provide coverage for their employees’ abortion pills in their health insurance plan. Because the government could offer abortion pills to the public by other means, the Supreme Court ruled that the Hahn family should not be forced to violate their religious beliefs.
  • Barronelle Stutzman could lose her home, her floral business, and everything she's worked for after she was sued for refusing to participate in a same-sex ceremony. The same-sex couple at issue got everything they needed, including offers for free flowers. A RFRA would ensure that the same-sex couple could get what they need, while simultaneously preserving Barronelle Stutzman’s religious freedom.
  • A small church in the Bronx may face eviction because the New York City Department of Education policy allowed people to rent empty public school buildings during non-school hours for just about any community event–except religious worship services. If New York State would have had a RFRA, which is designed to prevent religious discrimination, Bronx Household of Faith would have had additional legal protection that may have made the difference between victory and defeat in court.
 

"The Government should be held to a very high level of proof before it interferes with someone’s free exercise of religion." - President Bill Clinton in support of the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act

"The fact is that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is something that all Americans can support."
- Al Gore, Vice Presidentt

  • Every American should be free to live and work according to their faith without fear of being punished by government.
  • Religious freedom is a basic human right that deserves protection under the law.
  • Religious freedom laws ensure that freedom gets a fair hearing in court. How can anyone be opposed to a fair hearing when government intrudes on our basic freedoms?
  • Citizens deserve a legal defense when government intrudes on their religious freedom. No citizen should be left defenseless when government tries to force them to violate their religious beliefs.
  • Religious freedom laws protect every person’s freedom from government intrusion, regardless of party, religion, race, orientation, or any other part of someone’s identity.
  • Government shouldn’t have unchecked power to intrude on the freedom of Americans. This law helps prevent that.
  • RFRA only ensures that every citizen gets a fair day in court when government intrudes on their basic freedoms. It doesn’t pre-determine winners and losers.
  • RFRA creates fairness and balance when a citizen’s constitutionally protected freedoms and government action conflict.
  • Religious freedom laws prevent government from intruding on someone’s freedom unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Even then, courts must resolve the dispute with the least harm to freedom.
  • Religious freedom supporters want fairness, balance, respect for a diversity of beliefs, and limits on government power over the lives of Americans.
  • Religious freedom opponents support a rigged system in which government has the power to enforce some beliefs and punish others.
  • Religious freedom opponents can only list hypothetical things that have never happened in the decades we’ve lived under religious freedom laws.
  • On the other hand, we know real people are facing real threats to their freedom and livelihoods across the country. Religious freedom laws provide the legal protection for religious freedom that Americans need and deserve.
So the choice is clear: more freedom with these laws or less freedom without them.

Take Action

The criticism of state RFRAs has been swift and severe. But there's been some misinformation. This law is designed to prevent discrimination. The threat to Christians and others who are simply trying to live their lives consistently with their faith is very real. You can make your voice heard and stand for state RFRAs in support of religious freedom by signing the petition today.

Let all 50 governors in the United States know that you support Religious Freedom. Alliance Defending Freedom will send a letter informing them that we need Religious Freedom protection and may include the collected names.

Religious Freedom is our first freedom. As Americans, we should be free to practice our religion as our Founding Fathers intended. I want the governor of my state to know that I support Religious Freedom protection.

Sign the Statement