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Ohio's 'Pastor Protection Act' Clears House Committee

Suzette Gutierrez-Cachila : Dec 8, 2016
Gospel Herald

"No ordained or licensed minister ... or religious society ... is required to solemnize a marriage that does not conform to the ordained or licensed minister's or religious society's sincerely held religious beliefs," the bill says.

(Ohio)—[Gospel Herald] An Ohio bill protecting pastors who refuse to perform weddings that do not conform to their convictions cleared the House Committee. (Photo: Pastor/Pulpit/via Stacy L Spencer Ministries)

The bill, known as the "Pastor Protection Act" (H.B. 286), also protects religious organizations that refuse to lend their church buildings to be used for such events.

The bill was approved by the House Community and Family Advancement Committee with a 9-4 vote. It has been referred to a vote on the House Floor.

However, with the Dec. 8 deadline fast approaching, it is not yet known if the legislation will be passed before then. If the bill doesn't get passed by the deadline, it would have to be reintroduced next year.

The bill says those who refuse to officiate same-sex weddings or don't allow their buildings to be used for such ceremonies are "immune" from punishment and "neither the state nor a political subdivision of the state shall penalize or withhold any benefit or privilege from the ordained or licensed minister or religious society, including any governmental contract, grant, or license."

"No ordained or licensed minister ... or religious society ... is required to solemnize a marriage that does not conform to the ordained or licensed minister's or religious society's sincerely held religious beliefs," the bill says.

"No religious society is required to allow any building or property of the religious society to be used to host a marriage ceremony for a marriage that does not conform to the religious society's sincerely held religious beliefs," the bill further...

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