Media Fail: Georgia's Religious Freedom Bill Misunderstood
Corporations are putting pressure on Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to veto a watered-down religious freedom bill.
The bill protects clergy, churches and religious schools but not wedding professionals.
Dr. Ryan Anderson, with the Heritage Foundation, said the bill would do little to actually further religious liberty rights in Georgia.
In the Daily Signal, Anderson explained, "If a new or existing law creating special legal privileges based on sexual orientation and gender identity conflicts with a sincere religious belief, the Georgia religious freedom bill may provide no protection--not even the standard balancing test that is the hallmark of religious freedom restoration acts."
"So in an area where we most need religious liberty protection, the new Georgia law goes out of its way to disclaim it," Anderson concluded.
Despite the weak protections, a business coalition called Georgia Prospers is mounting an aggressive campaign to defeat the bill.
The NFL in particular has made headlines over its opposition. The league is warning the measure could hurt Georgia's chances to host an upcoming Super Bowl.
CBN News' Mark Martin spoke with Garland Hunt, senior pastor at The Father's House in Norcross, Georgia. Hunt has been following the bill and said faith leaders had hoped it would be much stronger. Click play to watch the full interview.
Hunt told Martin "the media has pretty much defined it." He said he's concerned about "enormous pressure" on the governor to veto it.
Deal has until May 3 to sign or veto the bill.
