Dear Friends in the Arkansas Legislature:

The undersigned Arkansas religious leaders have joined together to ask you to
oppose House Bill 1228, The Conscience Protection Act.
Religion flourishes in America, and particularly in Arkansas, in no small measure
because of the religious liberty guaranteed by the United States and Arkansas
Constitutions. We cherish these liberties.
We are deeply concerned that H.B. 1228 would not serve religious liberty or the
common good in Arkansas. Specifically, we worry that the Bill would invite
misguided individuals to misuse religion as an excuse for a wide variety of
discriminatory actions. Like the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of
Arkansas Counties, we fear that passage of this Bill into law would tie up our courts,
our cities, and our counties with frivolous legal actions, using religion as a pretext.
We are deeply concerned that the end result would impact negatively on religious
liberty and on the religious vibrancy of our State.
Thank you for your dedicated service to our State and all of its people.
With blessings,
Rabbi Barry Block
Congregation Bnai Israel*
Little Rock
Rev. Stephen Copley
United Methodist Pastor
Chair, Arkansas Interfaith Alliance
North Little Rock

*Organizations noted for identification purposes only.