Delegate Chris Head files commonsense Religious Liberty Bill
The Virginia House of Delegates will now weigh in on the religious liberty of pastors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to Alicia Petska at the Roanoke Times, Delegate Chris Head (R-17) has filed a bill that would address the religious liberty of ministers and their ability to perform marriages. If this bill passes the General Assembly, ministers would no longer be actors of the state, therefore would not be forced to perform marriages that they do not choose to perform.
“House Bill 19 doesn’t directly mention the debate over same-sex marriage. But Head, R-Botetourt County, said it was written with that issue in mind.
“The purpose of this bill is simply to absolutely clarify that pastors of churches shouldn’t be compelled to perform a ceremony that violates the tenets of their religion; nothing more,” he said.
Head described the bill as a modest, preventive step aimed at heading off disputes before they start. There have been no reports in Virginia of clergy being pushed to perform marriages since last year’s federal court ruling.
“I don’t think it will be very controversial, quite honestly,” he said of the legislation. “Because it’s not about trying to remove rights from anybody; it’s about trying to protect rights [for pastors].”
Basically, if a minister chooses not to marry someone, it’s the minister’s decisions without input from the state. This measure allows our ministers protection not only under the First Amendment but under state law.The article continued to say that Equality Virginia thinks the legislation is unnecessary, while the Family Foundation praised the bill. The bill will be the only legislation filed by Delegate Head related to the matter.
This legislation represents one of the many reasons why Chris Head is a great member of the House of Delegates. Marriage and Marriage Equality are hot button issues that most Republican legislators would either shy away from or just see who can yell the word no loudest. That is not the kind of legislator Delegate Head is. If he believes in something, Chris rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. Those who quietly govern are better legislators than those who just yell.
Delegate Head is himself a Baptist minister who wishes to see that his fellow clergy are protected under the law. This bill would allow ministers to do what God called them to do without the possibility of a lawsuit. We must be able to protect our clergy and allow them the freedom to worship their God as they choose.
This is a fantastic piece of commonsense legislation that will hopefully will pass the General Assembly in the coming 2016 session.
