The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(C069)

Whereas, The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision involving the sacramental use of peyote by the Native American Church denies American Indians in the Native American Church constitutional protection for the free exercise of their religion; contradicts the special relationship of American Indian tribes and the U.S. government as defined by solemn treaty, and most recently, by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act; and threatens all religious practitioners in that a precedent has been set, denying us all the assurance that religious behavior unacceptable to the majority is constitutionally protected; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 70th General Convention be asked to support efforts at local, state, and national levels to protect the Native American Church's right to practice its religion; and be it further

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to work for religious freedom for all people in this country, identifying the practice of religion as a fundamental human and civil right.

The Committee withdrew the "Whereas" clause in C069.

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on C069.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #70)