U.S. Rep. DelBene bill would prohibit religious registry

It shouldn’t be necessary, but Congress should demonstrate its support of religious freedom by passing U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene’s “No Religious Registry Act.”



Gabriel Campanario / The Seattle Times

By Seattle Times editorial board

Although it’s shocking that such a proposal would be needed in America, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene was wise to introduce a bill that would prohibit the government from creating religious registries.

DelBene’s “No Religious Registry Act” ought to receive support from the rest of Washington’s congressional delegation and be considered by Congress as soon as possible.

Lawmakers opposing this bill, and therefore favoring registries, must explain to their constituents how they support religious liberty, as provided by the First Amendment.

As a reminder of that cornerstone of our free country, here are the amendment’s first 16 words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/us-rep-delbene-bill-would-rightly-prohibit-any-religious-registry/