With backing from the GOP leadership, the House Judiciary Committee is set to vote on the so-called "Religious Freedom Amendment," a measure that critics say would erase church-state separation from the Constitution. H.J. Res. 78, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, has strong support from the Religious Right.

"Gingrich and company ought to be ashamed," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Playing politics with the Bill of Rights is unconscionable."

Lynn charged that the pending House committee action and the expected vote on the House floor is a payback to TV preacher Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition and other Religious Right groups that helped elect the Republican majority in Congress.

Religious Right leaders have become increasingly angry with the GOP congressional leadership for failing to act on emotional social issues such as school prayer, abortion and homosexuality.

In a February 7 speech to the conservative Council for National Policy, religious broadcaster James Dobson threatened to quit the party, blasting Republicans for failing to deliver. "Does the Republican Party want our votes — no strings attached — to court us every two years, and then to say, 'Don't call me. I'll call you?'" thundered Dobson, whose Focus on the Family empire rivals Robertson's in wealth and grassroots reach.

Last fall, Robertson told a closed-door meeting of Christian Coalition lieutenants in Atlanta that the Coalition elected the Republican congressional majority in 1994 and wants obedience on its issues. (A tape of the speech was obtained and released by Americans United, and re-printed in GayToday and in other media.)

Referring to the Religious Freedom Amendment, Robertson said, "We just tell these guys, 'Look, we put you in power in 1994, and we want you to deliver....Don't give us all this stuff about you've got a different agenda. This is your agenda. This is what you're going to do this year. And we're going to hold your feet to the fire while you do it.'"

Americans United's Lynn said many observers believe the Religious Freedom Amendment will fall short of the necessary two-thirds vote on the House floor, but it will still have important political ramifications.

"The Christian Coalition will undoubtedly use the vote on this amendment on its voter guides," observed Lynn. "Opponents of the scheme will be made to look like opponents of religious freedom. That's nothing but a political dirty trick."

People For the American Way President Carole Shields expressed similar views Tuesday. She said that religious freedom and diversity -- a cornerstone of the First Amendment -- is once again under attack because of the way the House Judiciary Committee is considering the aforementioned proposed constitutional amendment that would weaken the wall that separates church and state.

Shields said, "America must sustain a public life which can accommodate as many different faiths as there are people." She says this accommodation can only exist when Americans keep religion and government separate, pointing out that the First Amendment says, `Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'

"Those words may not mean much to Congressman Istook and his allies in the Religious Right political movement," Shields announced, " but as a born-and-bred Southern Baptist who doesn't want government in my church or my church in government, they mean the world to me."

Shields notes that politics -- and the November elections -- are driving supporters of the Istook Amendment, not a desire to ensure the religious liberties of all Americans.

Last month, according to the PFAW President, Christian Coalition pledged to distribute 45 million voter guides prior to the November elections. "This year, after the Istook Amendment is brought to the House floor and defeated, the Christian Coalition will include a line on how members of Congress voted. That's what's behind this push."

If the Christian Coalition is truly interested in defending religious liberty, Shields said, "It would stop trying to rewrite the Bill of Rights. It's worth saying time and again until Congressman Istook gets it: The Bill of Rights is not a first draft. What Istook and his allies in the Religious Right political movement are actually seeking is to impose their brand of Christianity on other Christians and non-Christians alike. Rather than protecting religion, this amendment would allow whatever the majority religion is at the time to impose itself on other religions."

Catherine LeRoy, People For the American Way Director of Public Policy, said the Istook Amendment would allow tax dollars to go to churches and to religious schools.

"This amendment would allow the use of tax money to advance religion, thereby violating the consciences of taxpayers who rightfully expect the government to remain neutral toward religion," LeRoy said. "The government should not be allowed, much less required, to use our tax money to promote religious activities."

Americans United is a 50,000-member religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, it is currently celebrating 50 years of work on behalf of church-state separation and religious liberty.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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People For the American Way is a 300,000-member non-profit organization dedicated to defending civil rights; promoting the democratic values of religious freedom and respect for diversity; and developing a culture of opportunity and tolerance of individual difference.

People For the American Way
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