The Montana legislature has passed a state version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prevents state agencies from interfering with the peaceful exercise of faith absent a “compelling governmental interest.” Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law “to protect the freedom of people of all faiths to exercise their sincerely held religious beliefs.”
Thankfully, Montana is now one of 22 states with similar laws protecting religious freedom. Not surprisingly, the ACLU and more than 250 businesses opposed the law, arguing that these common-sense protections would lead to discrimination against the LGBT community, even though the law makes no mention of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Matt Sharp, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, disagrees. “The law doesn’t automatically decide who will win every disagreement, but it does ensure that every Montanan—regardless of belief system or political power—receives a fair hearing when government action forces a person to violate his or her religious beliefs,” said Sharp.
Contact your representatives today and ask what they are doing to support religious freedom in your state.
