NASHVILLE, Tenn.Russell Moore, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, commended the Arkansas legislature and Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson on the passage of its Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The new Arkansas law mirrors the federal RFRA passed in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton.
I commend Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas legislature for showing real leadership and doing the right thing, Moore said. Religious liberty is not a prize to be won by whatever group has the most votes. Religious liberty is a natural right granted to all people by God.
The Arkansas RFRA comes in a week that saw controversy over similar legislation in Indiana. Indianas RFRA bill was signed by Governor Mike Pence last week but state lawmakers subsequently sought to significantly amend the bill. Pence signed the altered version on Thursday. Moore said that the Arkansas legislature set a superior example by making religious liberty a priority.
Arkansas set a model of strong protection of soul freedom for all citizens, Moore said. I wish Governor Pence had shown the same leadership.
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