Tell West Virginia Leadership to Support the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
| Target Name | Target Organization |
| Governor Tomblin | (West Virginia) |
| Senate President Cole | (West Virginia) |
| Speaker Armstead | (West Virginia) |
Today the West Virginia Senate is debating WV's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is a crucial piece of legislation to ensure equality for all when it comes to freedom of religion and freedom from government interference in religous expression.
The West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (WV RFRA) will protect the rights of all citizens. This law will treat all American citizens equally. It ensures that people of all faiths have the right to live out their beliefs at home, in worship, and at work without unnecessary government coercion. The WV RFRA simply says if government is going to substantially burden religious exercise, it must prove it is doing so for a compelling governmental interest and in the least restrictive way possible.
The WV RFRA is designed to protect religious freedom from government infringement by providing a sensible balancing test to weigh two very important interests: religious liberty and the rule of law. RFRA ensures that every American - regardless of belief system or political power - receives a fair hearing when government action seeks to force that person to violate his or her religious beliefs.
Governor Earl Tomblin, House Speaker Tim Armsted, and Senate President Bill Cole need to hear from you today. Take the time now to sign the letter below. It will be sent directly to all three.
The Petition
Support the WV Religious Freedom Restoration Act
The purpose of this email is to request that you support the West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives, with 97 votes in the Senate, and was signed into law by Bill Clinton. Today there are a total of 21 states that have passed their own RFRA. Ten additional states have these protections as a result of court action.
The West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (WV RFRA) will protect the rights of all citizens. This law will treat all American citizens equally. It ensures that people of all faiths have the right to live out their beliefs at home, in worship, and at work without unnecessary government coercion. The WV RFRA simply says if government is going to substantially burden religious exercise, it must prove it is doing so for a compelling governmental interest and in the least restrictive way possible.
The WV RFRA is designed to protect religious freedom from government infringement by providing a sensible balancing test to weigh two very important interests: religious liberty and the rule of law. RFRA ensures that every American - regardless of belief system or political power - receives a fair hearing when government action seeks to force that person to violate his or her religious beliefs.
In legal terms, WV RFRA requires courts to use strict scrutiny when adjudicating freedom of religious cases whether a suit is brought by an individual or government agency. West Virginia's RFRA will require the state courts to weigh all the different and unique facts to determine if someone's free exercise of religion has been burdened, if the government has a compelling reason to cause that burden, and if the government's actions are the least burdensome means of achieving that reason.
I believe that religious freedom is a fundamental right worthy of protection by the West Virginia State Legislature. Please take the opportunity presented to you during the 2016 Legislative Session to defend religious freedoms in West Virginia and support the West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Please let your colleagues know of your support, particularly those who serve on the Judiciary Committee.
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