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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/14/2011 4:39:11 PM Home School Legal Defense Association West Virginia--More Action Needed to Protect Religious Freedom! |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== West Virginia--More Action Needed to Protect Religious Freedom! Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Thank you for making calls to the Judiciary Committee. We have heard reports that your calls are being heard, but we need more. House Bill 2873, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee but the bill has not yet been placed on the agenda. Because of recent United States Supreme Court rulings that have effectively abandoned religious freedom as a fundamental constitutional right of its own, this bill is necessary to restore the protection of religious liberty. If passed, HB 2873 would prohibit the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion unless it meets the highest constitutional test available. That test requires that the government show that its action which burdens a person's religious freedom is "essential to further a compelling governmental interest and it is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest." Please take action, as requested below, to help secure this important freedom. ACTION REQUESTED Please contact the committee chair and members of the House Judiciary Committee this week and ask them to support HB 2873 and place it on the agenda. Because this legislation applies to all West Virginia citizens, you need not identify yourself as a homeschooler. Consider giving the following message in your own words. "Please put House Bill 2873 on the committee agenda. The West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act will strengthen my religious freedom. This bill is needed because the United States Supreme Court has weakened protection for religious expression, and it is up to you to act to protect it. This bill is important, so please put it on the agenda and recommend passing it." At this point the chairman has the decision to take action, so we are asking you to contact him directly: Delegate Tim Miley - Judiciary Committee Chair Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3252 Business Phone: (304) 326-1800 Email: tim.miley@wvhouse.gov BACKGROUND On June 25, 1997, by a 6-3 majority, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in The City of Boerne v. Flores that the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was unconstitutional. By doing this, the Court gave the lowest level of protection to religious liberty. Under this minimal standard, the state can override a citizen's right to freely exercise his or her religious beliefs by simply proving that its regulation is "reasonable." Since nearly all state regulations can be determined to be "reasonable," religious freedom is exceedingly limited. If passed, the West Virginia RFRA would restore the standard of protection for religious liberty previously guaranteed in the federal RFRA and earlier Supreme Court decisions. To view Mike Donnelly's complete testimony before the judiciary committee last fall, click here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=10310 For additional information, visit our issues library at: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=10311 Or, view Heritage Communications of West Virginia's detailed analysis here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=10312 HSLDA is working closely with the Christian Home Educators of West Virginia (CHEWV) to support this legislation. We are standing with you to defend your freedom! Sincerely, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
