As I have often wondered what laws were being changed on a religious climate, this evening I decided to check out what was currently before Congress. The following is what I found.

H.R. 3908: Loyalty to Our Legacy Act of 2007
Loyalty to Our Legacy Act of 2007 - Requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the national motto “In God We Trust” are each displayed prominently in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) on a permanent basis. Prohibits the AOC, in preparing and producing any exhibit or other material relating to the CVC, from removing or refusing to include any language, symbol, writing, document, or record on the grounds that they include a religious reference or Judeo-Christian content. Read full text here. This has been introduced to the House.

H.R. 2104: Public Prayer Protection Act of 2007
To protect the right of elected and appointed officials to express their religious beliefs through public prayer. Denies the Supreme Court and district courts jurisdiction to review any matter related to the alleged establishment of religion involving the expression of public prayer by any federal, state, or local government entity or a government officer or agent acting in an official capacity. Read full text here. This bill has been introduced to the House.

S. 2198: Andrew Larochelle God, Family, and Country Act of 2007
A bill to require the Architect of the Capitol to permit the acknowledgment of God on flag certificates. Read the full text here. This has passed the Senate and is in the House now waiting for a vote.

H.R. 2510
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the inscription “In God We Trust” to appear on a face of the $1 coins honoring each of the Presidents of the United States.
Read the full text here. This has been introduced in the House.

H.R. 300: We the People Act
We the People Act - Prohibits the Supreme Court and each federal court from adjudicating any claim or relying on judicial decisions involving: (1) state or local laws, regulations, or policies concerning the free exercise or establishment of religion; (2) the right of privacy, including issues of sexual practices, orientation, or reproduction; or (3) the right to marry without regard to sex or sexual orientation where based upon equal protection of the laws. Read the full text here. This has been introduced to the House.

H. Con. Res. 12: Requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in the United States Capitol
States that the Ten Commandments are a declaration of the fundamental principles that are the cornerstone of a fair and just society. Requires a copy of them to be prominently displayed in the U.S. Capitol at such place and in such manner as the Architect of the Capitol shall designate. Read full text here. This has been introduced to the House.

S. Res. 35: A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings
Recognizes that prayer before school board meetings is a protected act and expresses support for such prayer. Read the full text here. This has been introduced to the Senate.

H. J. Res. 13: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to school prayer
Read the full text here.

H.R. 2275: To restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the prohibition against churches and other tax-exempt organizations participating in political campaigns or supporting or opposing candidates for public office. Provides that this repeal shall not invalidate or limit any provision of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Read the full text. This has been introduced to the House.

H.R. 1431: Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2007
Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to modify the definition of “religion” for purposes of coverage under that Act by requiring employers to make an affirmative and bona fide effort to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of employees. Read the full text here. This has been introduced to the House.

Technorati Tags: congress bills, pagan activism, Pagan Politics, religious bills

The Pagan Unity Campaign was founded by Storm Bear Williams in early 2001. The objective was to unite Pagans across the country in letting our state and federal leaders know that there was a large Pagan voting population in America.

The mission of the PUC: “ to unify the many diverse branches of Paganism in America. A lofty goal that has been tried many times before and not succeeded. However, we are not attempting to unify Pagans under a religious umbrella, but we want Pagans to come together under the banner of Freedom.”

At the groups inception they created and signed in a Pagan Bill of Rights which states:
1. Pagans shall have the same freedom to worship that is granted to followers of other religions.

2. Pagans shall have the same respect of all elected officials who represent them that is afforded to followers of other religions.

3. A Pagan parent’s religion shall not be used as evidence for the purpose of deciding child custody issues.

4. Pagans shall be free to work without regard their religion, and should be free from proselytizing and harassment at the workplace.

5. Pagans shall have the same freedom to conduct their lives that is given to followers of other religions, within the boundaries of the law, without interference by, or discrimination from representatives of their local, state, or federal government.

6. School district personnel and classroom visitors shall not proselytize or harass Pagan children while on public school property or at public school functions.

7. Pagans shall have the same freedom to exercise all of their rights as do all other American citizens.

8. Pagans are entitled to the free exercise of their beliefs and rituals and must be protected from the interference of others during the practice thereof.

9. Pagans shall have the right to redress when their religious rights are abused.

10. Pagans shall be able to wear sacred symbols of their faith in environments where followers of other faiths are free to express themselves similarly.

‘So Vote It Be’ is the PUC’s campaign that kicked off in 2002. The goal of this campaign was to provide voter education and registration to all peoples of Pagan faiths. This campaign is run leading up to local and national elections. For more click here.

The most well known of the PUC’s campaigns is the “I AM” project. This stands for sending a post card or a letter to our elected officials letting them know who of their constituency is Pagan. It stands to reason that the more our politicians understand that Pagans are educated and they are voting, that eventually the group as a whole will be known a serious voting group and start to get taken more seriously. This campaign was the first for the PUC and it began on February 9th 2001. The project has run every year during the Summer Solstice. For more click here.

The third on going project for the PUC is the Birthday Card Campaign. This campaign is designed to have birthday cards sent to their elected officials informing them of the voting Pagans in their area. For more click here.

Currently, the PUC is gearing up for it’s annual “I AM” campaign and if you are a Pagan that wants to stand up and be counted by your local and national elected officials now is the time to get ready for that movement. Follow the link above for more information on the campaign.

Technorati Tags: laura jean karr, Pagan Politics, pagan unity campaign, religious freedom