Nonetheless, divisions that the debate has exposed within Idaho's religious community are disconcerting. The law's supporters include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fundamentalist Christians and a number of national religious organizations. Opponents include the American Civil Liberties Union and Idaho congregations of Episcopalians, Jews, Presbyterians, Methodists, Unitarians and Congregationalists. The Idaho Human Rights Commission voted recently to support changes in the law. We should be here to protect the freedom of everybody to worship as they choose, not to pit one group against another in the manner that it has.
None are likely to be even seriously considered.
Legislative leadership is funneling any bills to the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee, and Chairman Denton Darrington sees no reason to address unproven problems in a law that has yet to be implemented. Bainbridge considers that unfortunate. But I think there's a great deal of fear in the state Legislature around this issue. Ipsen, citing a recent attorney general's opinion, said targeted exemptions actually could undermine what the law's opponents seek to accomplish. He also said there are federal and state laws, and clearly a compelling governmental interest, in protecting children and civil rights, so concerns are unfounded that the law could be used to justify religion-based bigotry or abuse.