A GOP primary Freedom of Faith Referendum could help gauge public support for religious speech, providing possible leverage for future legislation allowing more freedom in public and private prayers. Though the vote on the March 12 referendum is nonbinding and will produce no effects, it will let the public's opinion be heard regarding restrictions on prayer, said Ted Royer, spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas.
The legislation will read: "Legislation should be passed that protects both individual and corporate public religious speech, on or off school property, and protects any person from being required to join in prayer or religious activities." Voters will be able to disagree or agree.
"In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on freedom, our nation has found great solace by joining together in public and private prayer, public religious ceremonies and patriotic displays," said Susan Weddington, Republican Party chairman. "But unfortunately, there are some misguided individuals and organizations that would rather not see events like the one on the steps of the Capitol take place. For this reason, the Republican Party of Texas decided to ask Texas voters what they think about the issue of public religious speech."
Congress is expected to consider legislation to support "a moment of silence" in 2003 during the next session.
A unanimous resolution to allow schools to post "God Bless America" on or within their property was approved recently.
"They will certainly look to constituents at all levels to gage what their opinions are," Royer said.
Many organizations, however, feel public displays of religion should be restricted, and the American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to a California elementary school calling the posting "God Bless America" on the school marquee a "hurtful divisive message" that violates the Constitution.
Protestors in Kerrville have also threatened legal action, citing that prayers held at city council meetings are unconstitutional.
"While liberal opponents of the freedom of religious expression may try to portray the referendum as an attempt to proselytize for one religion over another, nothing could be farther from the truth," Weddington said. "The issue is about the freedom for anyone to express his or her faith, individually or collectively, silently or aloud, without coercion."