Lawmakers cite 10th Amendment to take on Washington, ACLU and precedent
Lawmakers are fighting back against the American Civil Liberties Union with a bold piece of legislation that would allow North Carolina to establish a state religion.
It is a bold move because House Bill 494 asserts the First Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from establishing an official religion, does not prevent states, counties, towns or schools from doing so. The bill also contends that a move to establish a state religion cannot be blocked by Congress or the courts.
The Defense of Religion Act was introduced to the North Carolina legislature by Republican Rowan County Reps. Harry Warren and Carl Ford and is sponsored by seven other Republicans. The bill does not specify which religion would become the state religion.
The bill is seen as a response to a federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU last month to stop the Rowan County Commission from opening meetings with Christian prayers.
North Carolina's state Senate has offered a Christian invocation during most sessions since 2011.
So, is this bill to establish true Christianity throughout the state?
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