Religious leaders: don’t amend or repeal Religious Freedom Restoration Act

July 02, 2014

A coalition of religious leaders, including the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has called upon Congress not to amend or repeal the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

The 1993 legislation was the basis of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the June 30 Supreme Court ruling on the HHS contraceptive mandate.

“We have come together to write this letter with one specific plea: Do not amend or repeal RFRA, one of our nation’s most vital legal protections for the religious freedom and rights of conscience of every person of every faith,” the religious leaders stated in their letter to congressional leaders.

They added, “Changing RFRA because some disagree with one particular application of the law would set a dark precedent by undermining the fundamental principle of religious freedom for all, even for those whose religious beliefs may be unpopular at the moment. Congress has never passed legislation with the specific purpose of reducing Americans’ religious freedom. It should not consider doing so now.”

 

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Further information:

• USCCB President, Diverse Religious Leaders Come Together To Urge Congress To Protect Religious Freedom Restoration Act (USCCB)
• Supreme Court upholds Hobby Lobby challenge to contraceptive mandate (CWN, 6/30)