Dear Friend,
When the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) became law in 1993, no one expected that it would be used to allow religiously motivated discrimination against other Americans. Sadly, the religious right twisted this law to allow all sorts of religiously motivated bad behavior, which is why we were glad to see the Do No Harm Act (S. 2918) introduced in the Senate this week. In fact, the AHA is so supportive of this legislation that we are listed as an official supporting organization by the Senators who introduced the bill.
The Do No Harm Act would change RFRA by clarifying that it cannot counteract civil rights laws, employment law, protections against child abuse or access to health care. That means that RFRA would finally do what it was intended to do: protect the religious rights of all Americans while also protecting our civil rights and liberties.
Can you take a moment right now to ask your Senators to co-sponsor this important bill?
In order for this bill to become law we need to overcome opposition by the religious right in Congress, which means we need all humanists to take action on this important issue and contact your Senators. Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the Do No Harm Act today!
Click here to read about a related court case, Julea Ward vs. Eastern Michigan University, on TheHumanist.com.
Thank you for standing up against religiously-motivated discrimination.
Sincerely,
Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director