Tennesee Passes Bill to Allow Expression of Religious Freedom

Oldgamer

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2013
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Thegailygrind? LOL

Well from what I am reading the bill will most likely be shot down in court. It crosses the line big time. Watch the lawsuits fly..
 

First

Lifer
Jun 3, 2002
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Tennessee governor Bill Haslam has just received a bill that allows and encourages anti-gay bullying in the name of “religious freedom.”

The Tennessee “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” allows students to use religion in any manner they choose, and protects their use of religion.

The ACLU warns that the bill, SB 1793/HB 1547, “crosses the line from protecting religious freedom into creating systematic imposition of some students’ personal religious viewpoints on other students.”

“Should this pass, students with a range of religious beliefs, as well as non-believers, would likely routinely be required to listen to religious messages or participate in religious exercises that conflict with their own beliefs,” the ACLU adds. “Conversely, if a student of a minority religious faith (e.g., a Buddhist, a Wiccan, etc.) or a non-believer were to obtain a ‘position of honor,’ as defined under this bill, that student would be permitted to subject all classmates to prayer and proselytizing specific to his or her faith tradition in connection with school events. In both cases, parents would have no recourse to ensure that their children were not coerced into such religious exercise.”

According to TheNewCivilRightsMovement:

At a basic level, a student could merely write “God” on a chemistry test as the answer to a question asking to where water comes from. A student could also stand in class and say their religion says that gay people are sinners and going to hell, and that speech would be legally protected. The bill states “a student may express beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. A student would not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of the student’s work.”
Creationists of course will love the bill.

But the more sinister part of the bill forces all students to be subjected to the religious beliefs of the popular kids.

Tennessee’s “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” actually mandates that schools allow students the use of public school facilities — including the school’s public address system, classrooms and school assemblies — and makes schools “[p]rovide the forum in a manner that does not discriminate against a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint.”

An evangelical student, or example, could preach the gospel during a science class, or “witness” during English. Attacks on LGBT people and same-sex marriage are automatically protected under this bill, offering anti-gay students a state-sposored license to bully. And of course, a student could claim they worship Satan and subject their classmates to that “religious viewpoint” as well.

The bill, of course, likely violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, but that rarely stops conservative lawmakers on a religious mission.

Republican governor Bill Haslam hopefully will show moral courage and veto this bill. If he signs it, he’ll be forcing all Tennessee students to be subjected to the religious beliefs of their classmates, and forcing Tennessee into a costly battle in court.

But given that the Tennessee senate passed the bill yesterday on a 32-0 vote, and the House passed it 90-2, any veto Haslam considers likely will be overridden.

The stupid is strong with this state.
 
Apr 27, 2012
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The bill shouldn't pass and hopefully it's stopped. Just wondering if the people complaining would have the same problem if any other religion did this.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
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The bill shouldn't pass and hopefully it's stopped. Just wondering if the people complaining would have the same problem if any other religion did this.

^This, ladies and gentlemen, is the most persecuted human on the planet.
 

alzan

Diamond Member
May 21, 2003
3,860
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Religious wingnut politicians pandering to their base with bigoted legislation in an election year.

"I tried to get the bill passed but them ebilliberalactivistjudges said no. Contribute to my reelection campaign so I can try again."
 

88keys

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2012
1,854
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There is an attack on Christmas though. You haven't been paying attention.

I agree. It's almost like every religion wants to make it about themselves by stealing ancient traditions and calling it their own. The attacks have gone on for so long that people have forgotten the origins of Christmas. And now they even have the nerve force us to celebrate it in October.
 
Apr 27, 2012
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I agree. It's almost like every religion wants to make it about themselves by stealing ancient traditions and calling it their own. The attacks have gone on for so long that people have forgotten the origins of Christmas. And now they even have the nerve force us to celebrate it in October.

That's not Christians celebrating it in October but a small amount of retailers.
 

Paratus

Lifer
Jun 4, 2004
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If we want the government to enforce religion lets go whole hog.

I would like the government to enforce religion on the people practicing it. Make everyone register with whatever faith or lack there of and then enforce.

I want bars and clubs carding Southern Baptists. I want Starbucks carding for Mormons.

I want your minister to be able to directly debit your paycheck for whatever tithe is appropriate.

If you don't like it feel free to re-register as atheist.