What's next for amended 'religious freedom' bill?

ATLANTA — One side says it protects pastors and faith-based organizations, but the other side says it will hurt Georgia's future.
 
The religious freedom bill was controversial at its inception, but now, with new changes, critics say it is even worse than before.
 
Georgia lawmakers made changes on Wednesday to House Bill 757, which includes new wording prohibiting it from allowing discrimination that is already prohibited by state or federal law.

• READ THE BILL IN FULL

The bill was approved 37-18 in the Senate. It is now is headed to Gov. Nathan Deal's desk, where it is unknown if he will sign it or scrap it.

Critics and supporters clash over bill's purpose
 
Critics argue the bill's revised, broad language makes it worse, allowing discrimination to potentially extend beyond opposition to same-sex marriage.
 
"It sends a strong signal that the LGBT community is far from gaining any form of legal recognition and acceptance from their government," said Jeff Graham with Georgia Equality.

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Supporters say it protects pastors and churches from being compelled to perform same-sex marriages and religious organizations from being forced to serve or employ people who are at odds with their religious beliefs.

"There are no absolute winners in this debate today. I think we've spread the pain around a little bit," said House Speaker David Ralston.

Some also say the bill opens the door to legal challenges of local anti-discrimination laws like one adopted by the city of Atlanta.

Mayor Kasim Reed came out against the bill Thursday by saying it could irreparably damage" the city's economy and image.

“This legislation is not about gay people. This legislation is about people of faith. It’s about preventing the government from punishing the people of faith,” said Republican State Senator Josh McKoon.

McKoon, who is considered the Godfather of the religious freedom movement in Georgia, claims this is a huge victory.

“We’re not saying at-risk children shouldn’t be placed with any variety of loving families. What we’re saying is you shouldn’t compel a religious-based adoption agency to do that,” McKoon said.

Former Republican State Senator Ronnie Chance heads up Georgia Prospers, a coalition of almost 500 business owners across the state who call this so-called compromise a license to discriminate.

“We can have religious freedom and be tolerant at the same time,” Chance said. “This is not who we are as Georgians. We need to focus on including everyone.”

Time is ticking for Gov. Deal to make a decision
 
Deal has some time to mull over the bill. Because lawmakers decided not to use a parliamentary procedure to immediately transmit the measure to his desk, he'll have until May 3 to decide.

In a previous interview, Deal said it’s up to him whether this bill becomes law.

“We do not have a belief in my way of looking at religion that says that we have to discriminate against anybody,” Deal said.

Cox Media Group