Democrats in Minnesota Legislature Threaten Religious Freedom with MHRA Amendments

In a recent session of the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee, significant amendments to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) were under review, sparking concerns over religious freedom and discrimination. The MHRA, established in the late 1960s, has long been hailed as a safeguard against discrimination based on various traits, including race, disability, religion, and sex.

However, a critical change occurred last year when "gender identity" was added as a protected status under the MHRA, notably excluding religious exemptions. This omission has profound implications for religious organizations, churches, and schools, effectively preventing them from adhering to their religious beliefs regarding human sexuality.

The absence of a religious exemption could compel churches to hire individuals whose gender identity conflicts with their religious teachings or compel schools to endorse gender ideologies contrary to their faith principles. This infringement on religious liberties represents a drastic shift in the MHRA, raising alarms among faith communities across Minnesota.

Efforts to restore religious protections were met with opposition, with some legislators dismissing concerns as baseless and motivated by hatred. However, leaders from various faith traditions, including the Catholic Church, Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota, testified in support of restoring religious protections, emphasizing the importance of respecting deeply held religious beliefs.

Furthermore, the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Minnesota Constitution compounds these concerns by prioritizing gender ideology over religious freedom. The ERA's inclusion of "gender identity or expression" as a protected status, without safeguards for religion or creed, could subject religious organizations to further discrimination and government interference.

If left unaddressed, these amendments pose a significant threat to fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Minnesota Constitution. The potential for persecution of religious beliefs and the erosion of parental rights underscores the urgent need for legislative action to safeguard religious freedom and protect the rights of all Minnesotans.