A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-340 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH OF EACH YEAR AS "RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, South Carolina has a storied history in recognition of the significance of religious liberty and its establishment as a legal right; and

 

Whereas, on March 1, 1669, the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina drafted by Anthony Ashley Cooper with the help of philosopher John Locke was adopted by the eight Lord Proprietors of Carolina; and

 

Whereas, the guarantee of religious liberty and freedom of worship contained in the document is said to be the first such foundational government guarantee in the Americas and, indeed, in the world; and

 

Whereas, this guarantee of religious liberty, as enshrined in the Fundamental Constitutions, became a beacon of hope in Europe for those being oppressed because of their faith and made Charleston the center of the free world for religious expression; and

 

Whereas, on January 15, 2025, representatives of many faiths including, but not limited to, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, joined together for the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference for the purpose of celebrating and promoting the Palmetto State's historic and contemporary embrace of the freedom of religion and conscience; and

 

Whereas, the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference was hosted by the University of South Carolina's Rice School of Law and was organized by partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Center for Law and Religious Studies, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, and Interfaith Partners of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, on January 8, 2026, the Second Annual South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference was convened in the chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives, which continued the multifaith discussion on the importance of religious liberty in our State and nation; and

 

Whereas, in addition to legal scholars and elected officials, presenters at the South Carolina Religious Liberty Conferences have included representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the South Carolina Historical Society, the African Methodist Episcopalian (A.M.E.) Church, the Aiken Muslim Association, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, the Center of Jewish Life-Chabad of Charleston and the Low Country, the Church of God in Christ, the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina, Chabad of South Carolina, Masjid al-Salaam, and Sikh Gurdwara; and

 

Whereas, by acclamation of the participants in the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, it was resolved to promote contemporary support for the principles of religious liberty by petitioning the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize South Carolina's unique history in promoting and safeguarding the members of a free society's right to worship when, where, and how their conscience may dictate, as first guaranteed by the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina; and

 

Whereas, this daring and historic masterpiece is a source of pride for all South Carolinians and a reason for all of our citizens to embrace, support, and celebrate our state's legacy and leadership in the promotion of religious liberty; and

 

Whereas, as the result of the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, and the resolution and recommendation thereof, the South Carolina House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 4036, formally declaring March 1, 2025, as "South Carolina, First in Religious Liberty Day"; and

 

Whereas, by acclamation of the participants in the Second Annual South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, it was resolved to expand upon House Resolution 4036 by petitioning the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize and honor South Carolina's unique history in promoting and safeguarding the members of a free society's right to worship when, where, and how their conscience may dictate, as first guaranteed by the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, by enacting in permanent law that the first day of March of each year be designated as "Religious Liberty Day" in South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, while South Carolina has been a beacon of religious liberty, its history also includes periods where the ideals of freedom were not fully realized. Let us honor South Carolina's contributions to the cause of religious liberty while committing ourselves to continue to learn from the lessons of our past and ensure these sacred freedoms extend to all. Now, therefore,

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 53-3-340.  The first day of March of each year is designated as "Religious Liberty Day" in South Carolina.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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