Michigan: Help Defeat Bill That Makes Religion an Excuse to Ignore the Law, Harm Others The Michigan House of Representatives will soon vote on a bill that would place religious beliefs and practices above the law — and we need your help to stop them. The rights to believe and worship as one wishes are, and always have been, strongly protected in Michigan by both the Michigan Constitution and the United States Constitution. Further, Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 prohibits discrimination based on religion, and includes certain exemptions for religious institutions. But a new proposal, Michigan House Bill 5958, proposed by Rep. Jase Bolger (R-District 63) and called the “Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” would allow religious institutions and believers to use the concept of religious freedom not as a shield, but as a sword. HB 5958 provides for a “broad protection of religious exercise,” allowing institutions and believers to avoid complying with general laws simply by claiming it “substantially burdens” their religion in some way. For example, under this bill: Health care providers could deny services, such as dispensing birth control, based on their religiously based objections; Child day care providers and parents could make decisions regarding their children’s health according to their own conceptions of “religious faith,” instead of accepted standards of safety and public health; School officials could be prevented from protecting students against bullying if the bully based their abuse of students on religious grounds; Religious organizations receiving taxpayer dollars for social services could discriminate in hiring and providing benefits; Religious employees could claim all manner of exemptions from certain workplace rules, and religious employers could discriminate against individuals who have different views on religion or who are LGBT. The Center for Inquiry has always defended freedom of religion for all, and will continue to do so. But this bill does not aim to protect this freedom; it aims to place religion on a pedestal, where it can be used as an excuse to disobey laws that everyone else must follow. As a result, the equal rights of all Michigan citizens, religious and secular, would be put at risk. This proposal is not just unnecessary — it’s dangerous. CFI urges you to join others in calling or writing your state representative now and telling them to oppose this measure! Recipients Your State Representative or Representatives Contact * Required fields * Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr. * First Name: * Last Name: * Your Email: * Address 1: Address 2: * City: * State / Province: Choose a State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI * ZIP / Postal Code: * Phone Number: Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Center for Inquiry. Remember me. What's this? Message Please Defend Fair, Secular Government Dear [Decision Maker], As a friend of the Center for Inquiry, I am writing with concern regarding a bill moving through the Michigan House of Representatives that would place religious beliefs and practices above the law.



* Personalize your message Michigan House Bill 5958, proposed by Rep. Jase Bolger (R-District 63) and called the "Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act," would allow religious institutions and believers to use the concept of religious freedom not as a shield, but as a sword. HB 5958 provides for a "broad protection of religious exercise," allowing institutions and believers to avoid complying with general laws simply by claiming it "substantially burdens" their religion in some way. For example, under this bill: - Health care providers could deny services, such as dispensing birth control, based on their religiously based objections; - Child day care providers and parents could make decisions regarding their children's health according to their own conceptions of "religious faith," instead of accepted standards of safety and public health; - School officials could be prevented from protecting students against bullying if the bully based their abuse of students on religious grounds; - Religious organizations receiving taxpayer dollars for social services could discriminate in hiring and providing benefits; - Religious employees could claim all manner of exemptions from certain workplace rules, and religious employers could discriminate against individuals who have different views on religion or who are LGBT. I believe deeply in protecting the rights to believe and worship as one wishes. Fortunately, these rights are, and always have been, strongly protected in Michigan by both the Michigan Constitution and the United States Constitution. Further, Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 prohibits discrimination based on religion, and includes certain exemptions for religious institutions. But HB 5958 seeks to go beyond protection, and grant religious belief special rights, which will infringe on the rights of others. As a result, the equal rights of all Michigan citizens, religious and secular, would be put at risk.



Religion must not be placed on a pedestal, where it can be used as an excuse to disobey laws that everyone else must follow. HB 5958 is not just unnecessary -- it's dangerous. I urge you to oppose it.



I look forward to hearing from you about this matter. Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State ZIP]