RELIGION: Free to support HB 427

HB 427 will seriously affect your freedom.

In America, people should be free to live and work according to their faith.

I would like all Idahoans to consider the following:

1) This bill is about one thing and one thing only: Ensuring that all Idahoans are free to live and work according to their faith.

2) The bill is about more freedom for Idahoans. Opponents who are mischaracterizing the bill need to answer why they want less freedom for Idahoans.

3) You don’t forfeit your religious freedom rights merely because you go to work or start a business.

4) Similar protections to this law are in effect throughout the country, and none of these “sky is falling” scenarios has occurred.

5) The government should not coerce anyone to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.

6) RFRA has been in place in Idaho since 2000, and has not negated any city “nondiscrimination” ordinance. This bill will not negate it either.

7) No one should ever be forced to choose between their conscience or religious beliefs, and their profession. The Constitution doesn’t only guarantee our “freedom to worship,” but our freedom to practice and promote our faith. Americans don’t have to leave their faith and convictions at their church door; we have the right to carry it with us in all aspects of our lives.

8) Idaho’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act needs to be updated. Due to the growing hostility toward religious freedom in our nation, it is vital that Idaho law clearly protect the religious liberty of every citizen.

9) Participation in religious communities should be celebrated, not penalized.

Persecuting individuals or groups for their religious beliefs creates second-class citizens who are seen as less valuable because of their faith.

PASTOR PAUL D. VAN NOY

Coeur d’Alene