SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 21
(By Senator Boley)
Expressing the sentiment of the Senate regarding the freedom of
religion provisions of section fifteen, article III of the
constitution of West Virginia.
Whereas, The right of citizens of this state to exercise
their freedom of religion in public places has been
systematically abridged; and
Whereas, Special interest groups have sought and continue to
seek to restrict the free exercise of religion in this state, to
the exclusion of individual and community rights of free speech
and free exercise of religion; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the state of West Virginia shall uphold the freedom of
religion guaranteed in section fifteen, article III of the
constitution of West Virginia which states in part "...but all
men shall be free to profess, and by argument, to maintain their
opinions in matters of religion; and the same shall, in no wise
affect, diminish or enlarge their civil capacities..."; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That civil servants in their place of work
shall not have their rights of free speech or free expression of
religion abridged in any way and the same shall in no way affecttheir civil capacities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That residents of a place of public
domicile located in West Virginia including hospitals,
universities, military bases or other residential institutions or
facilities shall be afforded the same rights to religious liberty
that they would enjoy in a private domicile; and, be it
Further Resolved, That children in public schools shall
enjoy the same rights of free speech and freedom of religious
expression as are guaranteed to all persons under section
fifteen, article III of the constitution of West Virginia; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That private groups or public officials of
a state, county or municipal government shall have the right of
religious expression on public property: Provided, That such
expression shall not violate the constitution of the United
States.