Inside the packed IL GOP Platform Committee hearing room in Peoria – photo by Mary Thurman
PEORIA – Compromise language is being considered by non-elected members of the Illinois Republican Party's Platform and Resolutions Committee Friday morning which will soften the party's support for traditional one-man/one-woman marriage. It will also emphasize support for religious freedom.
The 2012 language says the following:
Standing room only in platform committee room
UPDATE x2: Getting reactions from observers:
"B is irrelevant. Religious liberty is its own freedom and includes myriad of issues beyond marriage, including healthcare/Obamacare, military, education, etc. This sounds like an appeasement to religious people," Illinois Family Action's executive director David Smith told Illinois Review.
Smith served on the 2012 IL GOP Platform Committee for the 11th CD.
"C. negates [Section] V. B, C, D. Also includes undefined terms such as non-traditional, same respect, purview. And this is not primarily a religious issue, rather it's a public good issue and rights of children issue. And government has a duty to protect children through sound laws (e.g. DCFS)," Smith continued. "D. is faulty, it's too broad in its reference to "marriage and family; E completely negates [Section] V. E."
Religious Freedom is not “irrelevant” when we have people losing their businesses because they have religious objections to serving same sex couples and find themselves engaged in expensive lawsuits to defend their beliefs, then losing those lawsuits in the courts. Nice to know that David Smith considers the freedom to object on religious principles “irrelevant”. The business owners who find themselves engaged in the courts to defend their beliefs do not, and the majority of Republicans on the Platform committee do not find these business owners concerns “irrelevant” either.
I think you misunderstood David’s meaning. David was saying “B” in the proposed plank is irrelevant because of our constitutionally protected Religious Freedom enshrined in the Illinois constitution.
Article 1, Bill of Rights
SECTION 3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or
political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or
affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry
or place of worship against his consent, nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
All other state laws are subservient to the Bill of Rights in the Illinois Constitution… thus making, as David said “B” unnecessary or irrelevant. Because the Illinois constitution already protects people of faith against coercion from the state govt. Article 1, section 3 in the Illinois constitution’s Bill of Rights is meant to handcuff government’s power to coerce and protect our God-given right to the free exercise of religion.