Oklahoma lawmakers advance bill limiting ability to consider religious practices

OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers advanced a resolution Tuesday that asks Oklahoma voters to limit the ability of courts to consider religious practices despite concerns that it could amount to discrimination against some religions. 

House Joint Resolution 1084, authored by Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, would prohibit courts and other government bodies from recognizing or enforcing any religious code, law or practice in “opposition” to the U.S. or Oklahoma constitutions. 

Woolley said the legislation is not specific to any religion but meant to generally apply. 

The resolution does not single out any specific religion but instead bars the state, courts, political subdivisions, boards, agencies and commissions from recognizing or enforcing any religious codes, laws or practices that are “repugnant to, incompatible with, or that does not recognize and protect the same or equivalent individual rights and liberties” guaranteed by the Oklahoma or U.S. constitutions. 

Oklahoma lawmakers advance bill limiting ability to consider religious practices • Oklahoma Voice