That is what we want to preserve here."Ĭox said the proposed amendment also would put Arkansas' stance on religious freedom in writing. They were doing it for generations yet to come because they had the foresight to do that," he said. "Freedom of religion and right to bear arms and all the other rights framed in our Constitution, they just weren't doing it for them and now. "So it's important for people to understand that this amendment protects everyone's freedom of religion equally in the state of Arkansas."Ĭox also said it ensures the right of religious freedom for future generations. "The Pew Research Study also found that the most harassed and persecuted religion in the world is Christianity, followed closely by the Muslim faith," he said. He cited a 2018 Pew Research study that showed religious persecution and harassment are on the rise, including in the United States. It's a feature, not a bug."Ĭox said one reason for the proposed amendment is because religious freedom is under attack around the world. "In fact, I think that is a lot of the intent behind this proposal. "There is a fear it can drift into those areas," she said. She mentioned same-sex marriage and interracial marriage as issues that could be attacked under the proposed amendment. Twenty-one states have a similar law.ĭickson said the 2015 act states that anything additional upsets the balance of rights that Americans have come to know and live under. It states any governmental action that is a substantial burden to an individual's free exercise of religion can stand only if it furthers a compelling governmental interest in the least restrictive manner possible. The state adopted the Arkansas Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015. "There are so many instances where in every single instance Arkansans would have a new argument for why we don't have to comply with laws vis-a-vis the government." "It would give a new argument for exemption from every law or regulation we have: domestic abuse laws, child abuse laws, professional licensure, fire codes, consumer protections and job assignment requirements," she said. Under this proposed amendment, any burden under religious liberty is under suspect no matter how minor that burden."ĭickson said if passed the proposed amendment would tilt the scales to allow religious liberty to trump all other laws. Established state and federal law states that there are restrictive actions on substantial burden under religious exercise. "They are changing the standard under law. "It's completely out of step with the balance our fundamental rights as Arkansans and Americans," she said. Holly Dickson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, said Issue 3 is another attempt to elevate religious liberty above all other fundamental rights and civil liberties. Lawmakers who voted against the measure in committee said the proposed constitutional amendment was either redundant to current state law, or it waters down the existing protection and would not hold up if challenged under the First Amendment. "It protects everyone's freedom of religion equally." Jerry Cox, executive director of the conservative Family Council Action Committee, said Issue 3 is necessary to prevent the "further erosion" of religious freedom but acknowledged that such efforts are not much of a threat currently in Arkansas. Supporters say the measure was inspired by governmental efforts to limit church gatherings in 2021 because of the covid-19 pandemic and by fears that a new executive branch could infringe upon people's religious freedoms. The state's constitution allows the Legislature to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot. State senators and representatives voted in 2021 to place Issue 3 on the 2022 general election ballot. The amendment also adds language to the state's constitution that provides a legal claim in a court or other governmental proceedings for a person to seek relief against the government for imposing on the individual's religious freedom. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, the amendment would add language to Arkansas' Constitution that would prohibit government from burdening a person's freedom of religion unless the government can demonstrate it furthers a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. Issue 3 will go before voters in the Nov. A proposed amendment to the state's constitution would prohibit the government from burdening an individual's religious liberty, but opponents of the effort say the Arkansas Religious Freedom amendment is a potential Pandora's box.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |