Senator: Religious freedom bill acts as shield not sword

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – An Indiana Senate committee heard more than three hours of testimony Monday night concerning religious freedom.

“Religious people are scared. And you as legislators need to know that,” said Rev. Tim Overton of Muncie, echoing others who expressed concern.

Senator Scott Schneider, R-District 30, said the proposal, titled the “religious freedom restoration act,” would legally ensure religious protections.

“This bill acts as a shield and not a sword,” said Schneider during the hearing. “It is a protector for those who want to practice religious freedom.”

18 other states have similar laws. But critics argue the proposal could open the door to discrimination.

This is unnecessary legislation with a host of potential unintended consequences,” said Jane Henegar, Director of the ACLU of Indiana.

Those opposed to the bill are concerned it would allow allow businesses and churches to deny services to some people like same-sex couples based on their religious beliefs.

“In this country we have the absolute right to believe what we want about God faith and religion. and we have the right to act on our beliefs but we do not have the right to harm others,” said Henegar.

Supporters of the bill packed the statehouse before the hearing for a rally.

“Faith must be expressed, it must be acted upon, it must be lived in the public square,” said Fr. David Mary-Engo to the crowd.

According to Advance America, the bill would help protect individuals, Christian businesses and churches from those supporting homosexual marriages.

Governor Mike Pence was among those to speak in favor of the bill at the gathering.

“I stand before you today not as a believer in my faith but as a believer in freedom,” he said.

But opponents say it’s not an issue of religious freedom at all, and that the bill does not represent all religious people.

“We represent the Jewish community, which of course is a religious minority community here in Indiana,” said David Sklar of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council. “We feel perfectly comfortable that our religious liberties and our freedom of religion are already protected here in the state.”

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce issued a statement Monday night in opposition to the proposal.

The committee chairman says a vote on the proposal won’t take place until a future meeting.