Reclaiming Safety as a Cornerstone of Religious Freedom: South Carolina Faith Leaders Push for the Pray Safe Act
During a recent press conference in South Carolina, Tair Giudice, CEO of the Charleston Jewish Federation, highlighted the importance of security for South Carolina’s Jewish Community, emphasizing the importance of the “South Carolina Pray Safe Act,” H. 4145. The bill charts the path forward for protecting religious freedom and countering hate in South Carolina.
During the hearing, Tair stated, “We don’t want people to even think twice before setting foot in a Jewish institution. It’s crucial to our faith community to celebrate milestones, holidays, and mourn together without fear.”
Other Jewish community leaders in attendance included Brandon Fish, Director of Community Relations for the Charleston Jewish Federation, and Marsha Gewirtzman, President of Charleston's Jewish Community Relations Council. In addition to the grant funding for security, the bill calls for stronger protection for organizations at risk of religiously motivated violence.
South Carolina is currently one of two states without a hate crimes bill. This significant bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representatives Bernstein, Bannister, Stavrinakis, W. Newton, Kirby, Teeple, Gilliam, Bauer, Wetmore, Gilliard, J. Moore, Bustos, and Landing, proposes creating a grant program within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to fund security enhancements for organizations at risk of religiously motivated crimes. This bipartisan support is a pivotal moment of hope for progress in South Carolina.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Thomas Dixon, pastor at Life Community Church in Mount Pleasant, SC, reflected on the tragic 2015 mass shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, which left nine people dead. The shooting, carried out by a white supremacist, was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of religious congregations to hate crimes.
Pastor Dixon stated, “I think [the bill is] key. It's ironic we have to do this because who in their right mind would threaten a religious congregation? But in the world we live in today, unfortunately, these things are necessary.”
Beyond physical violence, the psychological toll on faith-based communities is another concern for leaders to be aware of. The constant threats and memories of past attacks create a climate of fear that disrupts spiritual and faith gatherings and communal healing. Houses of worship, often central to education and civic engagement in public life, are forced to divert resources toward security instead of community fellowship.
Additionally, the politicization of hate crimes complicates the implementation of necessary protections. Moreover, media representation and public awareness often exclude the broader diversity of faith traditions impacted by hate, including Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and indigenous faith and spiritual groups. When narratives center only on specific communities, others remain invisibilized. We must reaffirm our commitment and alliance to religious freedom, not just as a constitutional right, but as a sacred duty to all.
Do No Harm: Resisting the Misuse of Religious Exemptions
When does the right to religious freedom become a justification for harm? This question is at the heart of the misuse of religious exemption laws. These laws – protections granted under the First Amendment and utilized for centuries by individuals of all faiths – have been exploited by Christian Nationalists to undermine other fundamental rights, including equality and non-discrimination.
The Moral and Financial Harm of Conversion Therapy: Why Chiles v. Salazar Matters for All of Us
One of the most harmful manifestations of discrimination is so-called “conversion therapy,” which is a debunked and dangerous practice that falsely claims to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear Chiles v. Salazar, a case challenging Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” and the constitutionality of Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law (MCTL), we face a pivotal moment. The central legal issue concerns whether Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors infringes upon the First Amendment rights of licensed mental health professionals.
WATCH: Faith Leaders in Opposition to Arkansas 10 Commandements Bill
Over 50 Arkansas faith leaders have signed a letter opposing SB433, requiring the display of a government-selected version of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms and buildings. They gathered at the Capitol in Little Rock yesterday to hold a press conference that is making waves across the state.