The Kentucky Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the so called ‘religious freedom’ bill. Among other things, the measure would allow students in Kentucky elementary and secondary schools, as well as universities, to voluntarily express religious viewpoints in class assignments. Lexington Senator Reggie Thomas cast an Aye vote Thursday. “We ought to have freely as a society here in Kentucky the ability to express our religious opinions in schools, on the sports fields, in plays and whatever,” said Thomas.
The legislation was filed in part, because of a decision in an eastern Kentucky school to delete Bible references from a Christmas play. Frankfort Senator Julian Carrol cast one of the 31 ‘yes’ votes on the floor. He called it a re-statement of current law. “The various educators have feared that they might violate the law,” said Carrol. “So rather than cross the line, they’ve been careful not to even get close to the line.”
One of the ‘no’ votes came from Louisville Senator Denise ‘Harper’ Angel. “Because I believe firmly in the separation of state and church. And I think, as many of the other bills we start this typical camel’s nose under the tent, just like the abortion bills, and I just can’t support those issues,” said Harper-Angel.
The bill now heads to the House.
