Camille Armstrong holds her Bible high as she sings “Amazing Grace” at a Jan. 28 Religious Freedom Rally at the West Virginia Capitol.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After about two hours of impassioned debate Thursday, the West Virginia House of Delegates voted, 72-26, to pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a bill that civil rights advocates fear will be used to discriminate against LGBT individuals and others.
Supporters, mainly Republicans, argued that the bill simply codifies a balancing test for courts to abide by when determining if a person’s religious beliefs are being violated by state action and doesn’t guarantee any outcome of that test. Opponents, mainly Democrats, argued that the potential legislation will be bad for business, harm West Virginia’s reputation and encourage discrimination against marginalized groups.
The bill (HB 4012) establishes a legal process for courts to follow when determining if a person’s religious beliefs are being violated. Because businesses and individuals could argue that civil rights laws, including local nondiscrimination ordinances, violate their religious beliefs, civil rights advocates argue that the bill could be used to refuse services to LGBT people, women and others.
Several supporters accused those civil rights advocates of spinning the truth.
A visibly frustrated Delegate John Shott, R- Mercer, said he thinks the bill has been victim to “more misinformation” than any other bill considered in the Legislature…