FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org | 540-280-3393

 

Georgia Faith Leader Condemns Religious Freedom Restoration Act

 

Atlanta, GA–Today, alongside Georgia Equality and other LGBTQ advocates, Faith in Public Life Action spoke at the Georgia Capitol against the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to condemn the bill as an effort to weaponize religion as a tool to marginalize and oppress LGBTQ Georgians. 

 

Rev. Leo Seyij Allen, Georgia Campaigns Manager, Faith in Public Life Action

 

“As a person of faith, I believe we need to enact laws that help us build a beloved community in Georgia, not separate us from God. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has been exploited, by politicians who wear religion on their sleeves, to justify discrimination and other harms, particularly to women, LGBTQ people, and people of minority faiths. Religious liberties are not just the right to practice your own beliefs, but they also protect us from those who attempt to impose their religious beliefs on us.

 

Weaponizing religion to inflict harm on LGBTQ Georgians, to limit access to reproductive health care and to decide whose identity is recognized in public life fails to show love of God and love of our neighbor. Our values and sacred texts call us to build a society where we love one another, respect the dignity of all people and work together for the common good. By using a reproductive justice approach to building community, we can make sure everyone has access to the care they need throughout their lives to thrive and live with dignity that reflects the love of God.” 

 

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Faith in Public Life Action is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.