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Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America | 2018-19 Version | Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America | 2018-19 Version | Legislation Proclamations Talking Points Notes Fact Sheets Copyright © 2018 CPCF | All rights reserved. Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 2 Table of Contents Forward ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Overview of Religious Liberty Measures for States ........................................................................ 5 Category #1: Legislation Regarding Our Country's Religious Heritage .................................................... 5 Category #2: Resolutions and Proclamations Recognizing the Importance of Religious History and Freedom .................................................................................................................................................... 6 Category #3: Religious Liberty Protection Legislation.............................................................................. 6 Category #4: Talking Points to Counter Anti-Religious Freedom Legislation .......................................... 7 Prime Focus Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 8 Prime Focus #1: National Motto License Plates ....................................................................................... 8 Prime Focus #2: Public Policy Resolution Favoring Sexual Intercourse Only Between a Married Man and Woman ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Prime Focus #3: Enforcing Federal Law Mandating Compliance by Public Schools with Free Speech Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Stylistic Notes .................................................................................................................................. 9 Category #1 - Legislation Regarding Our Country’s Religious Heritage ........................................ 10 National Motto Display Act ..................................................................................................................... 11 National Motto License Plate Act ........................................................................................................... 14 Civic Literacy Act ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Religion in Legal History Act .................................................................................................................... 18 Bible Literacy Act ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Category #2 - Resolutions and Proclamations Recognizing the Importance of Religious History and Freedom ................................................................................................................................. 26 Proclamation Recognizing Religious Freedom Day ................................................................................. 27 Proclamation Recognizing Christian Heritage Week .............................................................................. 30 Proclamation Recognizing the Importance of the Bible in History ......................................................... 33 Proclamation Recognizing Christmas Day ............................................................................................... 36 Category #3 (a) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation—Public Policy Resolutions ............... 37 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Intimate Sexual Relations Only Between Married, Heterosexual Couples ............................................................................................................................. 38 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Reliance on and Maintenance of Birth Gender ............ 49 Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Adoption by Intact Heterosexual, Marriage-based Families ................................................................................................................................................... 55 Resolution Condemning Religious Persecution Worldwide ................................................................... 65 Category #3 (b) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation—Protection for Professionals and Individuals ..................................................................................................................................... 69 Marriage Tolerance Act (a/k/a/ First Amendment Defense Act)............................................................ 70 Preserving Religious Freedom Act - (a/k/a Religious Freedom Restoration Act) (“State RFRA”) ........... 79 Child Protection Act ................................................................................................................................ 88 Clergy Protection Act .............................................................................................................................. 98 Licensed Professional Civil Rights Act ................................................................................................... 106 Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation 524 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 546-2190 (O) (866) 507-7535 (F) www.CPCFoundation.com Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 3 Category #3 (c) - Religious Liberty Protection Legislation – Protection for Teachers and Students ..................................................................................................................................................... 112 Student Prayer Certification Act ........................................................................................................... 113 Teacher Protection Act ......................................................................................................................... 116 Preserving Religious Freedom in School Act ......................................................................................... 122 Category #4 – Talking Points to Counter Anti-Religious Freedom Legislation ........................... 128 Countering Adding “Sexual Orientation” as a Civil Rights Category ..................................................... 128 Countering Adding “Gender Identity” as a Civil Rights Category ......................................................... 129 Countering Conversion Therapy Prohibitions ....................................................................................... 130 Countering Repeals of State RFRAs ....................................................................................................... 147 Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation 524 Johnstown Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 546-2190 (O) (866) 507-7535 (F) www.CPCFoundation.com Report and Analysis on Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America 4 Forward This is the 2018 – 2019 version of the Religious Freedom Measures Impacting Prayer and Faith in America. It is the third annual report. Following distribution of the first two versions of this report CPCF tracked approximately 60 separate pieces of legislation passed in the 2017 and 2018 terms of the various state legislatures that were favorable to prayer and the free exercise of religion in our country. That compares to only six passed during 2016, by our count. The purpose of this report is to give you, as legislators, the benefit of good work done by others and model legislation on various related topics for your consideration and potential use. We have expanded the analysis and “talking points” to provide “defensive” talking points to counter proposed legislation antagonistic to religious freedom. This report reflects the collective wisdom and experience of individual legislators and legal teams who have worked with various pieces of legislation, as well as groups who have or will support such legislation, and the strategic analysis of a great many organizations, teams, and individuals who have studied these measures. This is not an exhaustive collection of model acts, resolutions, and proclamations on the topic, but it addresses most areas of recent interest. The following principles apply to all of the measures and should be considered early on: 1. Nothing is more important than learning to tell a story that shows why the legislation is needed. Although the text of legislation is critical, it can become sterile without painting a picture of “why” it says it. When you have limited time, tell the story and let the legislation speak for itself. 2. Never forget that you often communicate more with your actions than your words. Tone and temperament are vital. 3. The name matters. For example, “Protecting Religious Freedom in Private Homes Act” is not nearly as powerful as the “Home Privacy Protection Act.” 4. Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation does not advocate for or against any piece of legislation. That decision must be made by individual legislators. Thank you for serving your country and protecting our First Amendment rights. We stand with you and support your efforts in prayer and
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