Wow.

[ironphoenix]

So, here's the meat of a Bill that has passed the legislature in Arizona, and is up to the Governor for approval or veto:

B. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, state action shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.
C. state action may substantially burden a person's exercise of religion only if the opposing party demonstrates that application of the burden to the person's exercise of religion in this particular instance is both:
1. In furtherance of a compelling governmental interest.
2. The least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
...
F. For the purposes of this section, "state action" means any action by the government or the implementation or application of any law, including state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies, whether statutory or otherwise, and whether the implementation or application is made or attempted to be made by the government or nongovernmental persons.

This Religious Freedom Bill gives people the freedom to do pretty much anything in the name of religion. Oh, and by the way, in the definitions section, "'Person' includes any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church, religious assembly or institution, estate, trust, foundation or other legal entity."

If this doesn't get vetoed, I'm not goin' to Arizona anytime soon.

Thanks to goldsquare for drawing my attention to this!

Comments

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

You are welcome.

Your link is broken.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Fixed, thanks!

[mustangsallie33.livejournal.com]

If the bill is approved, the NFL is threatening to pull out of the planned Superbowl 2015 event in Phoenix, Az. That will hit them in the pocketbook by driving away business, so maybe this will make the governor this twice before approving the bill.

[khall.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the United States of Crazy! Land of the Freaking nuts, home of the boiling mad.

K.

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

"This Religious Freedom Bill gives people the freedom to do pretty much anything in the name of religion."

My definition of this sentence is likely different than yours.

The bill is definitely worrisome though, and the general trend is alarming because I've seen where it can lead. Hopefully saner heads will prevail.