A Tennessee bill would impose a criminal penalty for obstructing a religious service.
State Representative Greg Martin (R-Hamilton County) introduced House Bill (HB) 2264 last week, which would create a misdemeanor offense for interfering with a religious institution.
HB 2264 says a religious institution means “a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship.”
People would be committing a Class B misdemeanor offense if they act to intentionally obstruct, disturb, or interfere with the activities of the religious institution by making an utterance, gesture, or display in a manner that is offensive to the sensibilities of an ordinary person,” the bill proposal states.
The actions of obstruction can occur within a religious institution’s building or near it, “as to disturb the order and solemnity of the activities,” HB 2264 says.
A person convicted of a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee may face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500.
The bill proposal has been assigned to the state House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. HB 2264’s companion bill, Senate Bill 2327, has been assigned to the state Senate Judiciary Committee.
If the Tennessee Legislature approves HB 2264 and Governor Bill Lee signs it into law, then it would take effect on July 1st.
Martin’s bill proposal comes after nearly 40 left-wing protesters went into a Christian church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and disrupted its church service last month.
The protesters were there to protest David Easterwood, who is listed as a pastor at Cities Church and also “appears to be” an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official in Minnesota, CNN reported.
When in the church, protesters chanted “ICE out!” the outlet said.
The Department of Justice has charged nine people for their roles in the protest, including journalist Don Lemon. They have been charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of the FACE Act violation, which prevents physical obstruction against people providing abortion services or exercising their religious freedom.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
