Congressman Istook Introduces Religous Liberties Amendment to U.S. Constitution

11/21/95 News Release; Contact: Kristy Khachigian, (202) 225-2132

Washington D.C. -- Congressman Ernest Istook (R-OK) and over 100 other members of Congress announced introduction today of a constitutional amendment to protect religious liberties. It would allow student-sponsored prayer in public schools, but not government-composed prayer or compulsory prayer. It would also protect acknowledgments of religious heritage, beliefs, or traditions of the American people, and forbid discrimination against religious expression or belief. The amendment has 88 orgiinal co-sponsors. GING-PAC Chairman William J. Murray was present with Congressman Istook for the introduction.

"Our explicit First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of freedom of religion and of religious epression have been subordinated to a new notion -- one not found in our Constitution," declared Istook. "We are being told that freedom of religion takes a back seat and must be restricted whenever anybody complains that it makes them uncomforable. Those who choose to be intolerant of religion are permitted to control and restrict the behavior of those who simply wish to express their belief, as the Constitution is meant to guarantee.

"As we approach Thanksgiving, Americans express thanks, including gratitude, for the freedoms embodied in the Constitution," continued Istook. "But its drafters recognized that our liberties might nevertheless be infringed upon, and so they provided a mechanism for amending our Constitution. It was their intent that we be able to do so, and we are following their design in the process we begin today."

This amendment includes the following major provisions:

• Its preamble echoes not only the sentiments expressed at America's founding, but also the fact that almost every state has chose to acknowledge God within its state constitution.
• It addresses the court decisions and intimidation tactics which have banned holiday decorations reflecting religious traditions, banned Christmas carols or Hanukkah songs from school events, challenged "In God We Trust" on our currency, sought to remove religious emblems from city or state seals, flags or logos, and otherwise served to sanitize simple reflections of America's heritage.
• Although authorizing student-sponsored prayers in public school settings (desired by 75% of the public), it prohibits mandating official prayer, or compelling anyone to join in prayer.
• Discrimination based upon religious expression or belief is expressly disallowed.