— Lone Star Q (@lsqnews) May 21, 2015
By a vote of 141-2, the Texas state House passed Bill 2065 which would reaffirm that pastors and churches can’t be forced to participate in same-sex weddings.
LGBT advocates say the Pastor Protection Act is unnecessary because clergy and churches are already protected from being forced to participate in same-sex weddings under the state and federal constitutions as well as Texas’ Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
No same-sex couple has tried to force an unwilling clergy member to officiate their wedding.
Opponents of the legislation are also concerned that pastors acting in a secular role, such as county clerks and justices of the peace, might use the bill as a basis for denying licenses to same-sex couples or refusing to marry them.
The Pastor Protection Act has already cleared the Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign it.
(source)
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