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Mississippi governor signs religious freedom bill

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JACKSON, Miss., April 4 (UPI) -- Gov. Phil Bryant said the Religious Freedom Restoration Act will protect "Mississippians of all faiths from government interference," as he signed the controversial bill.

Supporters say the measure is similar to a federal law passed in 1993 that requires proof of a "compelling interest" in any government measure that imposes a "substantial burden" on religious practices. Critics say its real aim is to allow discrimination against homosexuals.

The law, which Bryant signed Thursday, also adds "In God We Trust" to the Mississippi state seal. It takes effect in July.

I am proud to sign the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which will protect the individual religious freedom of Mississippians of all faiths from government interference, Bryant said.

The Mississippi law was redrafted twice before being approved this week by the state legislature.

A number of states have religious freedom laws on their books, and others have recently considered them. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer recently vetoed a bill, and the Oklahoma Senate effectively killed one that had already passed the House by a wide margin.

In Arizona, a number of businesses lobbied against the bill and said the state might lose the 2015 Super Bowl. Critics said the law was so broad that cab drivers who believe for religious reasons that women should not travel alone could refuse to serve them.

[LA Times]

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Mississippi governor signs religious freedom bill

Freedom campers turn attention to Vauxhall

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Since the council has taken a tougher stance on freedom campers at Macandrew Bay, more campers have been using the Vauxhall Yacht Club's car park. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Vauxhall Yacht Club commodore Peter Sutherland said while freedom campers had used the site ''from time to time'' in the past, he had noticed an increase since the council took a tougher stance on enforcing the rules at Macandrew Bay earlier this year.

Up to five non-self-contained vehicles are allowed to park overnight at designated areas in Macandrew Bay, Ocean View and Warrington.

In response to Macandrew Bay residents' concerns about campers' behaviour, the council erected more signs at Macandrew Bay's site last month and security patrols were visiting four times a week to give campers information brochures and move them if allocated spaces were full.

Mr Sutherland said the moves might have contributed to an increase in campers using the yacht club's car park.

One or two vans did not cause a problem. However, up to six had been staying some nights in the club's car park, which had created parking problems for club members, he said.

The public toilets and rubbish bins seemed to be coping with the increase in campers and there had been no security issues, but he ''wouldn't like to see too many more'' using the car park.

''I wouldn't like to see it as a designated site,'' Mr Sutherland said.

Dunedin city councillor and Vauxhall resident John Bezett said the problem would get worse as Portobello Rd got busier.

''There's 4000-5000 people who use Portobello Rd every day. It's dramatically increased over the past few years ... and the fact is it's going to get worse,'' he said.

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Freedom campers turn attention to Vauxhall

The freedom to make: Scott Andrew and Nina Sarnelle from the Institute of New Feeling at TEDxCMU – Video

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The freedom to make: Scott Andrew and Nina Sarnelle from the Institute of New Feeling at TEDxCMU
Scott Andrew is a multimedia artist working in video, performance, and installation. He received a BFA in Intermedia from West Virginia University and an MFA...

By: TEDx Talks

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The freedom to make: Scott Andrew and Nina Sarnelle from the Institute of New Feeling at TEDxCMU - Video

Flip2Freedom Academy Review and Walk Through | Review Of the Flip 2 Freedom Academy System – Video

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Flip2Freedom Academy Review and Walk Through | Review Of the Flip 2 Freedom Academy System
http://mynationalsource.com/flip2freedomreview Review of the Flip2Freedom Academy and Walkthrough of the Flip2freedom Academy Membership portal. Some people ...

By: Mitch Sheean

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Flip2Freedom Academy Review and Walk Through | Review Of the Flip 2 Freedom Academy System - Video

Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Religious Freedom Restoration Act

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JACKSON, Miss. Lawmakers in Mississippi passed a religious freedom bill on Tuesday that allows for residents of faith to legally challenge state actions that place a substantial burden on their free exercise of religion.

State action or an action by any person based on state action shall not burden a persons right to exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, SB 2681, reads, adding that the only exception is if the action has a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering the interest.

The free exercise of religion is defined in the bill as the ability to act or the refusal to act in amanner that is substantially motivated by ones sincerely heldreligious belief, whether or not the exercise is compulsory orcentral to a larger system of religious belief.

The measure was introduced by Senator Phillip Gandy (R-Waynesboro), who also serves as senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church. Itpassed both the House and Senate on the same day79-43 in the House and 37-14 in the Senatebut not after debate among lawmakers who disagreed about whether the proposal could result in discrimination against homosexuals.

If you dont think this bill does what I know it does, you go make a fool out of somebody else, Senator Kenny Wayne Jones (D-Canton) argued on the floor.

There is nothing in this bill that authorizes discrimination against anybody, Senator Gary Jackson (R-French Camp) refuted. This protects the Buddhist, the Christian, the Muslim against government interference.

Gandy also told OneNewsNow this week that the bill has nothing to do with discrimination.

Theres one of two things [about people who say that]: One, either they havent read the bill or two, theyre just trying to frighten people, and theres some people who do that really well, he stated. When they dont have a good argument, they attack. And certainly weve seen a lot of that.

The Mississippi bill, which is modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), is stated to be similar to a measure that was vetoed last month by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

This is a victory for the First Amendment and the right to live and work according to ones conscience, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote in a statement following the bills passage. This commonsense measure was a no-brainer for freedom, and like the federal [Religious Freedom Restoration Act], it simply bars government discrimination against religious exercise. The legislature gave strong approval to a bill that declares that individuals do not have to trade their religious freedom for entrance into public commerce.

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Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Religious Freedom Restoration Act


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