Dear Editor,

I want to thank Governor Pence and my congressmen, Ryan Mishler and Curt Nisly, for voting to protect all Hoosiers from governmental overreach through Indiana’s Religous Freedom Restoration Act law. The willful ignorance of so many across the country has been unbelievable. This law has nothing to do with discrimination and everything to do with protecting one of our most basic freedoms: freedom of religion without the intrusion of the government.

This law has stirred up chords of hatred and bigotry, but it has been on the part of the opposition. I have never damaged someone’s property or made threats to them and their family just because they didn’t agree with my point of view or lifestyle, such as has been done to some of our lawmakers.

To change this law in any way just to satisfy the liberal media and personal agenda seekers would weaken our constitutional rights even further because it would signal victory for one agenda at the expense of the rights of all Hoosiers. No one should be forced by the government to violate their faith.

I ask my legislators and the others who represent our state, do not give in to efforts that weaken our constitutional rights and our protection from governmental overreach.

Sincerely,
Rev. Mark Fishburn