PLANO (WBAP/KLIF) – A State Representative from Plano is proposing a bill that would prevent government bodies from closing places of worship.
Representative Matt Shaheen said this week that he has filed legislation that will designate places of worship and religious activity as “essential” in Texas law, preventing them from being forcibly shut down in the future because of a disaster declaration or any other reason.
The 87th Texas legislative session begins in January.
“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right protected for all Americans in the Constitution,” said Representative Shaheen. “Because of egregious government overreach and blatant discrimination against churches and other houses of worship, it is clear that we must act to grant them further protection.”
The legislation comes after numerous examples across the nation of religious gatherings being expressly prohibited while secular businesses have been permitted to continue to operate.
“Several of these churches have sued their local governments, securing victories after the courts ruled that churches are being held to different and more stringent requirements than the surrounding secular businesses,” Shaheen stated. “We cannot and will not give an inch in this fight. We will defend our freedom of religion. It’s the lifeline of our nation.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott exempted places of worship from the state’s shutdown earlier this year. Shaheen praised the Governor’s decision, but said the bill, if passed, would prevent city or county governments from doing so in the future.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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