Action Alert: Dangerous ballot measure before Missouri voters August 7

In just a couple short weeks, Missouri voters will decide the fate of Amendment 2 on the August 7^th primary ballot.  This dangerous and misleading measure would harm existing religious freedom protections in the state and undoubtedly lead to costly, taxpayer-funded lawsuits.  Last month, the Wall of Separation blog covered the legal challenge to the ballot summary, and the state appeals court’s unfortunate decision to uphold the language that will appear before Missouri voters.

AU is hard it work to defeat this unnecessary threat to religious freedom.  We have launched a new webpage, http://www.au.org/MOAmendment2, to inform voters and explain the disturbing repercussions that could result if the measure is passed.

What, exactly, is so dangerous about Amendment 2?  Religious freedom is already well protected in the state.  This measure would put Missouri’s constitution in conflict with the U.S. constitution, and lead to expensive and endless lawsuits paid for by Missouri taxes.  The amendment would damage public education as well.  Students would be able to refuse to complete school assignments, or even opt out of entire classes, that they (or their parents) oppose.  Amendment 2 would coerce prayer in public schools, and make students of minority religions and non-believers feel like outsiders in their own schools.  The amendment is so broad and misleading that these are just a few of the threats to religious freedom that could result from its passage.

Are you a Missouri resident?  Here are a couple things you can do to stop Amendment 2:

• VOTE NO on August 7^th, and bring a friend with you to the polls.  Click here to check your registration or request an absentee ballot – early voting has already begun!
• Check out our Vote No on Amendment 2 webpage and talking points, and send the links along to your friends.  All Missourians should know that Amendment 2 is intentionally misleading and restricts, not protects, religious freedom.

Related articles:

1. Dangerous measure on the June ballot in North Dakota
2. Rush to judgment: Missouri’s deceptive ‘Right to Pray’ Amendment heads for August ballot
3. Mistake in Missouri: Appeals court upholds misleading ballot summary for prayer amendment
4. Misleading Missouri measure: Amendment harms, not helps, religious liberty
5. Americans United, Allies Challenge Deceptive Ballot Measure in Florida Court