ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 29, 1996 TAG: 9607290073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
The Constitution subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee has heard three proposals to amend the Constitution's religious freedom provisions. Following are the texts of those proposals, as well as the First Amendment's religion clauses.
* The First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...''
* Proposed "religious freedom" amendment, offered by Dick Armey, R-Texas: "In order to secure the right of the people to acknowledge and serve God according to the dictates of conscience, neither the United States nor any State shall deny any person equal access to a benefit, or otherwise discriminate against any person, on account of religious belief, expression, or exercise. This amendment does not authorize government to coerce or inhibit religious belief, expression, or exercise."
* Proposed "religious equality" amendment, offered by Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-Ill. (co-sponsored by Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke): "Neither the United States nor any State shall deny benefits to or otherwise discriminate against any private person or group on account of religious expression, belief, or identity; nor shall the prohibition on laws respecting an establishment of religion be construed to require such discrimination."
* Proposed "religious liberties" amendment, offered by Ernest Istook, R-Okla.: "Nothing in this Constitution shall prohibit acknowledgments of the religious heritage, beliefs, or traditions of the people, or prohibit student-sponsored prayer in public schools. Neither the United States nor any State shall compose any official prayer or compel joining in prayer, or discriminate against religious expression or belief."
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