he House Judiciary Committee approved the controversial Religious Liberty Protection Act in a poorly attended markup session that included a questionable vote, and amendments that were quickly rejected. Over in the Senate, the Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing, and American Atheists President Ellen Johnson presented hundreds of letters of opposition warning that the legislation violated the constitutional separation of church and state.

   Chris Prokop, Washington, DC Director for American Atheists, told AANEWS that the House Judiciary Committee meeting was scheduled during another regular weekly meeting of Democrats. At 9:40, as discussion of HR 1691 began, only three Democrats were in the hearing room. A proposed amendment by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) to limit RLPA's coverage so that the legislation did not trump civil rights and anti-discrimination laws failed on a voice vote. At that point, another voice vote was held on the final RLPA version which passed. Chairman Henry Hyde was then informed that there was not a reporting quorum, so the committee moved on to other business.

   Prokop reports that later, as Democrats trickled in, Hyde quickly scheduled yet another vote -- leading to charges that he was clearly violating parliamentary procedure. RLPA again passed on a voice vote, and the measure was sent to the full House. A floor vote could come as early as next week.

   Over in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Orrin Hatch was the only Committee member present as testimony about the Religious Liberty Protection Act began. Steve McFarland of the Christian Legal Society defended RLPA; Sen. Strom Thurmond then entered the chamber and gave a speech on the proposal. Referring to the controversy over witches and their rituals at army bases, the eminence grise of the Senate opined, "I don't want more Wiccans in our god loving military, and this (RLPA) will help Wiccans and Satanists invade our public life..."

   American Atheists President Ellen Johnson headed to the Senate Minority Office for the Judiciary Committee and presented a stack of letters sent in by atheists and other separationists in opposition to the RLPA.

   Mr. Prokop told AANEWS early this evening that in conversations with lobbyists and representatives of other groups which oppose or question the Religious Liberty Protection Act, "It seems that a lot of people in Congress and the Senate really don't like this legislation."

"They're not coming out and saying it in public, but they see a lot of problems with RLPA... " Chris Prokop, Washington D.C. Director, AMERICAN ATHEISTS

   "They're not coming out and saying it in public," noted Prokop, "but they see a lot of problems with RLPA. They're finding it difficult to speak out, though, because it is then made to look as if they oppose 'religious liberty,' or are somehow anti-religious." He added that there is a growing coalition of groups that opposes RLPA, but for different reasons. "The corrections departments are really concerned because they fear the litigation that will continue to hinder the prison systems. States and local municipalities are concerned because it puts the federal government into local and state level issues. And the zoning people are worried because RLPA will trump local land use standards."

   Prokop says that in the House, "Most representatives who may oppose this bill are just scared to come out and actually be seen as voting against religion. And a lot of people in the congress haven't taken into account all of the negative side effects and issues that will arise from the Religious Liberty Protection Act if it is passed..."

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