West Virginia lawmakers push to pass Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Legislators in West Virginia are pushing for the enactment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, in order to protect the rights of citizens regarding their faith and religious beliefs.

According to CBN, if the lawmakers succeed, the state would become the first ever to pass a religious freedom law in spite of the veto of the governor. A rally to support the cause is planned for Thursday, in anticipation of opposition to the move.

"Religious freedom is a basic right that deserves attention under the law," House Majority Whip John O'Neal, R-Raleigh stated.

Meanwhile, Tim Armstead, Speaker of the State's House of Delegates, said that West Virginians take religious freedom seriously. He explained that the lawmakers wanted to ensure those rights were protected.

Armstead also called for prayers from people across the United States to support the cause, believing that legislators were doing right, and they wanted to "show the courage" that would lead them to victory.

O'Neal added that in West Virginia and many other states, people are discriminated against because of their faith. They may go to church on Sunday in order to worship, but would then lose their work or business the next day.

He said that these people are losing their livelihood because of who they love, and that person whom they love "happens to be the Lord."