Religious Freedom
* Your Oct. 2 editorial on Gov. Pete Wilson’s vetoes falsely characterized the Religious Freedom Protection Act, AB 1617, as one “to protect religious rights of prison inmates.” In fact, it is a bill to protect the religious free exercise rights of all Californians, necessitated by the U.S. Supreme Court decision holding a federal religious freedom bill unconstitutional.
AB 1617 would ensure that religious freedom is protected as a fundamental right in California, and that any law restricting religious freedom will be subjected to the highest constitutional test. The bill’s impact on prisons is minimal by comparison with its importance to everyone else. The federal bill was in place for 3 1/2 years before being struck down. During that time, out of more than 15,000 California prisoner cases, only 15 raised religious-freedom claims. The California Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion, the bill’s sponsor, is convinced that religious freedom is such a fundamental right that there can be no exemptions. Almighty God hath made the mind of man free. We will continue our effort to ensure the law respects that freedom.
ALAN J. REINACH, President
Church State Council
Sacramento
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