Senate Passes Leno Bill Strengthening Religious Freedom
California Political Desk
May 27, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today passed legislation that clarifies the religious freedom of clergy members in California. The Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), reaffirms the separation of church and state and clarifies under state law that no member of clergy will be required to perform a civil marriage that is contrary to his or her faith. The Senate approved Senate Bill 906 with a 23-11 vote.
"This bill simply affirms that California is a diverse state and that we can all co-exist and make space for each others´ beliefs without compromising the beliefs of any religious group or individual," said Senator Leno. "With the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, churches and clergy members who fear their religious views are threatened by marriage equality will have clear and solid protections under state law. In addition, churches that welcome same-sex couples will continue to fully recognize those families within their faith."
SB 906 also clarifies the differences between civil and religious marriage under state law and protects churches from losing their tax-exempt status if they refuse to perform any civil marriage. The bill is sponsored by Equality California and California Council of Churches IMPACT.
"We thank legislators for voting today to codify in state law freedom of religion," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. "We are confident that same-sex couples will one day have the right to marry in California, and when that time comes this law will reassure faith leaders who have opposed marriage equality due to fears they would be compelled to perform marriages conflicting with their beliefs that state law, in fact, safeguards their religious freedoms."
"Senator Leno's bill is essential to protecting our freedom of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment," said The Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director of California Council of Churches IMPACT. "It is as imperative that we protect the religious freedom to not solemnize marriages between same-sex couples for clergy and congregations who oppose it on the basis of their conscience or faith tradition as it is to protect the religious freedom of those who do support marriage equality to be able to solemnize all committed unions. California Council of Churches IMPACT represents faith traditions on both sides of this question and Senator Leno's bill perfectly codifies legal protection for all our faith communities," he said.
"This bill simply affirms that California is a diverse state and that we can all co-exist and make space for each others´ beliefs without compromising the beliefs of any religious group or individual," said Senator Leno. "With the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, churches and clergy members who fear their religious views are threatened by marriage equality will have clear and solid protections under state law. In addition, churches that welcome same-sex couples will continue to fully recognize those families within their faith."
SB 906 also clarifies the differences between civil and religious marriage under state law and protects churches from losing their tax-exempt status if they refuse to perform any civil marriage. The bill is sponsored by Equality California and California Council of Churches IMPACT.
"We thank legislators for voting today to codify in state law freedom of religion," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. "We are confident that same-sex couples will one day have the right to marry in California, and when that time comes this law will reassure faith leaders who have opposed marriage equality due to fears they would be compelled to perform marriages conflicting with their beliefs that state law, in fact, safeguards their religious freedoms."
"Senator Leno's bill is essential to protecting our freedom of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment," said The Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director of California Council of Churches IMPACT. "It is as imperative that we protect the religious freedom to not solemnize marriages between same-sex couples for clergy and congregations who oppose it on the basis of their conscience or faith tradition as it is to protect the religious freedom of those who do support marriage equality to be able to solemnize all committed unions. California Council of Churches IMPACT represents faith traditions on both sides of this question and Senator Leno's bill perfectly codifies legal protection for all our faith communities," he said.
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