An Idaho House committee on Thursday heard testimony on a bill that many consider an attack on Islamic law.
The legislation is sponsored by Coeur d’Alene Republican Representative Eric Redman. Its stated goal is to keep the influence of foreign laws out of Idaho.
Redman told members of the House State Affairs Committee that the bill is a pre-emptive strike. It seeks to ensure that Idaho citizens can’t be forced to abide by rulings that cite foreign law and which restrict freedoms guaranteed in the U-S and Idaho constitutions.
Redman refuted claims that the bill is anti-Muslim.
“Nothing in this bill prevents any person from freely exercising his or her right to freedom of religion and worship," Redman testified.
"House Bill 419 only applies to legal doctrines in our court systems. It does not discriminate in any way based on faith of any kind. The bill makes no mention of Islam or Muslims and is not even principally focused on religious law, but any foreign law that violates constitutionally-protected liberties,” he said.
He says 13 states, including Washington, have approved similar laws.
Several people urged the committee not to approve the bill. They included Darcy James, a Boise resident who said even though the bill didn’t mention Sharia, it still could be construed as an attack against Muslims.
“At this time, in this country, we are under greater danger of having to live under some others’ Christian beliefs on contraception or gay marriage than we are from the way of life of American Muslims. I urge the committee to support true freedom of religion in the separation of church or any religion from state and vote no," James said.
It’s not clear yet whether the bill will get a vote to get out of committee.