2013.07 News: "Religious Freedom" Amendment Proposed

The Wisconsin State Journal periodically publishes "At Issue", an update on proposals that are bubbling their way to the top of the legislative agenda. Today's entry was ostensibly about "religious freedom", which is a code phrase for "letting religious zealots get away with bad behavior that sane citizens are prohibited from engaging in".

Here's a synopsis:

Assembly Joint Resolution 43 and Senate Joint Resolution 38 aim to amend the state Constitution, adding a right to act — or refuse to act — based on religious conviction unless the government proves that the action would violate laws, rules or regulations that the state has a “compelling interest” in enforcing. The government would also need to prove it was using the “least-restrictive” means. If enacted in two consecutive Legislative sessions and approved by voters, the amendment would prohibit the state from “burdening the right to conscience” even indirectly, for example by withholding benefits or imposing penalties or excluding someone from facilities.

Dale and Leilani Neumann were undoubtedly acting out of sincere religious conviction when they let their 13-year-old dotter Kara die a lingering and painful death from easily treatable diabetes. If this amendment had been in effect at the time, they would have gotten away with it, too.