Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee in 2024 signed a bill into law to protect religious public officials with the authority to issue marriage licenses or officiate weddings. Judges, magistrates, administrators, and clerks in Tennessee who, for religious reasons, want nothing to do with homosexual “marriage” can recuse themselves without facing government retaliation.
The governor last last week signed another conscience bill into law. This measure, titled the Medical Ethics Defense Act, bars the government from forcing a healthcare provider to participate in or pay for a procedure that conflicts with their religious beliefs.
“The exercise of this right must not be used as the basis for a civil cause of action, a criminal prosecution, or a discriminatory action,” the bill reads.
Religious providers who oppose killing unborn babies or “transgender” care will not face government retaliation for refusing to do what conflicts with their beliefs.
“Patients are best served by health care professionals who are free to act consistent with their oath to ‘do no harm,'” said Greg Chafuen, a lawyer at Alliance Defending Freedom. “Unfortunately, doctors and nurses have been targeted for caring for their patients by refraining from harmful and dangerous procedures. This ends up discouraging countless young professionals from entering the health care field because of fear that they will be forced to violate their conscience.”
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