Greg Morris
‘State Representative’
(R-Vidalia)
Legislative Report from the People’s House
I have received many questions regarding the issue of religious liberty and the different bills that have been introduced on the subject this session. The Supreme Court ruling that struck down Georgia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage has emboldened supporters of same sex marriage to sue individuals in businesses for refusing to participate in various aspects of gay weddings. The following bills address either broad or specific remedies that would help protect religious beliefs of Georgia’s citizens.
SB 129 and HB 219: These two bills fit into the category of broad based protections. These are the House and Senate versions of the same bill. Commonly referred to as The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), these bills accomplish the same legislation passed by the Congress in the 90s. The language simply states that the government must show a compelling interest in overriding the religious beliefs of a citizen; Indiana passed a similar bill and came under intense political pressure from a surprisingly effective boycott by opponents. SB 129 is currently in the House Judiciary committee. I am a co-sponsor of HB 219.
HB 837: Another version of RFRA, this bill mirrors the Federal version and its exact wording. Governor Deal has expressed support for this version. After all, he voted for the Federal bill as a Georgia Congressman. Georgia is the only southern state yet to pass a broad based bill to protect religious beliefs from government overreach. HB 837 has not been successfully challenged in court, making this bill an appealing choice for Georgia.
HB 756: This bill falls into the specific protection category. It would pass protections for small business owners from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
HB 757: Referred to as THE Pastor Protection Act, this bill would protect religious officials from being required to perform marriage ceremonies in violation of their religious beliefs.
SB 284: Known as the First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia, this bill would allow faith based organizations, such as adoption agencies, to operate freely without fear of persecution or discrimination. FADA does not challenge the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, nor does it excuse a public official from doing their duty in respect to marriages. FADA only offers protection to private individuals and organizations that believe in the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
In 2003, I voted to allow Georgia voters to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Georgia voters approved the measure by more than 70 percent. The Supreme Court had no constitutional right to void the will of the citizens of Georgia to define marriage. We will fight back. There is debate among those of us determined to take a stand as to the most effective way to protect our religious liberties. Some believe the broad based bills better accomplish our goals, while others support the bills that offer specific remedies for specific grievances. However, we all agree that government overreach is real and is a threat to our religious liberty. Each individual has the right to believe in any religion they choose or no religion at all. But the indisputable historical fact is that America was founded as a Christian nation. Our founding fathers did not seek the blessings of Allah or some Buddha. They sought the blessing and protection of the one true God: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Any barrier to the continued worship of the only true God will only serve to diminish the greatness of our State and Nation.
Representative Greg Morris represents the citizens of District 156, which includes portions of Appling, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, and Toombs counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1998, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Code Revision, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees.
HB 837: Another version of RFRA, this bill mirrors the Federal version and its exact wording. Governor Deal has expressed support for this version. After all, he voted for the Federal bill as a Georgia Congressman. Georgia is the only southern state yet to pass a broad based bill to protect religious beliefs from government overreach. HB 837 has not been successfully challenged in court, making this bill an appealing choice for Georgia.
HB 756: This bill falls into the specific protection category. It would pass protections for small business owners from being forced to violate their religious beliefs.
HB 757: Referred to as THE Pastor Protection Act, this bill would protect religious officials from being required to perform marriage ceremonies in violation of their religious beliefs.
SB 284: Known as the First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia, this bill would allow faith based organizations, such as adoption agencies, to operate freely without fear of persecution or discrimination. FADA does not challenge the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, nor does it excuse a public official from doing their duty in respect to marriages. FADA only offers protection to private individuals and organizations that believe in the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
In 2003, I voted to allow Georgia voters to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Georgia voters approved the measure by more than 70 percent. The Supreme Court had no constitutional right to void the will of the citizens of Georgia to define marriage. We will fight back. There is debate among those of us determined to take a stand as to the most effective way to protect our religious liberties. Some believe the broad based bills better accomplish our goals, while others support the bills that offer specific remedies for specific grievances. However, we all agree that government overreach is real and is a threat to our religious liberty. Each individual has the right to believe in any religion they choose or no religion at all. But the indisputable historical fact is that America was founded as a Christian nation. Our founding fathers did not seek the blessings of Allah or some Buddha. They sought the blessing and protection of the one true God: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Any barrier to the continued worship of the only true God will only serve to diminish the greatness of our State and Nation.
Representative Greg Morris represents the citizens of District 156, which includes portions of Appling, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, and Toombs counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1998, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Code Revision, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks