Matt Ramsey

Eight house republicans say former Attorney General Mike Bowers’ analysis of proposed religious freedom bills is “not a credible legal document.”

Bowers called the proposed legislation ‘mean-spirited’ and said it could be used to discriminate in his review.

In response, Republican lawmakers say Bowers is regurgitating ‘scare tactics’ recited by opponents.

“Mr. Bowers knows this measure does nothing more than provide the same level of judicial review of laws and state actions as are afforded to citizens under federal law and in over two dozen other states,” they said in a statement.

”This bill does nothing more than shift the burden off of individuals and on to the government when laws or ordinances are enacted that burden an individual’s free exercise of religion,” they continued.

“Mr. Bowers knows this is not a new or drastic approach to free exercise cases and that this measure does nothing more than ensure Georgia state and local government laws and ordinances are held to the same standard as federal laws and the law in dozens of states are held to when potentially burdening a citizen’s free exercise of religion.”

Bowers said the bills could justify not issuing marriage licenses to gay couples or turning down an apartment lease from an interfaith couple.

The former attorney general wrote the report at the request of Georgia Equality, an LGBT rights organization. During the 1980s, Bowers was an outspoken opponent of gay rights.

The senate bill’s sponsor Josh McKoon says in the 30 other states that have similar laws, opponents have found no evidence that it has led to discrimination.

Tags: House Republicans, religious freedom bills, religious freedom legislation, former attorney general mike bowers, Matt Ramsey, state Senator Josh McKoon