Pete Stark: “I rise today to oppose House Joint Resolution 78, the so-called ``Religious Freedom Amendment.'' This proposed…”

“I rise today to oppose House Joint Resolution 78, the so-called ``Religious Freedom Amendment.'' This proposed constitutional amendment would obliterate the separation of church and state and would result in government-sanctioned worship, taxation to benefit religion, and majoritarian oppression. In order to serve its own interests, the radical right is overlooking what is already current law. Religious expression is protected by the First Amendment, and private religious expression is legal everywhere, including public schools. Under the First Amendment, students can pray silently at any time and even aloud in groups so long as they are not disruptive. Student-led religious clubs can meet on school property to pray and study Scripture. Religious speech in the public square already abounds. We learned at the beginning of this Republican-led Congress that the government does not hand out money without strings attached. This proposed Amendment to our Constitution goes much further by permitting a wide array of government-sponsored religious expression. It would allow state endorsement and financial support for religious activity not only in schools, but on all public property, including government offices, court houses, and military bases. It is coercive and vain to impose religion, to require our government to recognize or single-out one faith from another when it is one of thousands of beliefs, faiths, doctrines, and creeds.”