Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives proved that it wants to revoke as many civil liberties as possible from the American people.
In a 244-173 vote last Tuesday, the House passed the Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA), which would prohibit plaintiffs' attorneys who win lawsuits that attack public expressions of faith from collecting attorneys' fees.
Basically, if you think the government has violated your fundamental right to the free exercise of religion, you can still file a lawsuit, but even if you win, you will still have to cover all of the expenses.
While the chances of a college student becoming a plaintiff in a religious liberty case and being directly affected by this legislation is unlikely, the passage of this bill could impact us all.
The elimination of compensation for attorneys' fees would deter most attorneys from arguing these cases not because these attorneys no longer have an interest in protecting the First Amendment, but because they simply cannot financially afford to do so.
The collection of attorneys' fees is necessary to keep the church and the state separate.
Chances are slim that the House version will make it to the Senate floor, but the actions of 244 U.S. representatives, including Centre County's own Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who was among the supporters, give sufficient cause for concern.
Furthermore, the House's actions show a blatant disregard for the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
PERA proponents have said that too often cases contesting the use of religious symbols come before the courts, and that lawsuits such as those challenging the display of the Ten Commandments in public buildings are hurting the country.
"We cannot continue to allow frivolous and, frankly, unwarranted lawsuits to stifle the beliefs and self-determination of our great communities," Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., said in a Sept. 27 Associated Press article.
While Gingrey is correct in stating that something is stifling America's communities, he is wrong in his assertion that Establishment Clause lawsuits are to blame. What is stifling America's communities is the increasing popularity of the oppression of this country's religious minorities.
Whereas the United States once was a country in which people of all beliefs were free to practice those faiths or none at all, the House has made it clear that Christianity is the view we all must share, and there will be little tolerance for dissention.
Fortunately several national organizations have already voiced their opposition to PERA and are trying to educate the public on this issue and ultimately to mobilize support for their causes.
Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said members of the House are not representing the sentiment of the majority.
"This bill is a sop to the Religious Right, but even worse a dangerous attack on the First Amendment," he said in a Sept. 27 Associated Press article. "The bill seeks to slam the courthouse doors on citizens who challenge government-sponsored religious activities. It is a repugnant affront to the civil rights of all Americans."
The House's PERA supporters have shown that it is their goal to weaken our religious freedoms. But hopefully in five weeks when voters show up at the polls they will keep this in mind and oppose representatives such as Peterson who are more worried about advancing their own political agendas than the concerns of the people they are elected to represent.
