{"id":2188137,"date":"2024-02-27T19:20:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T00:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/religious-liberty-advocates-warn-tennessee-lawmakers-about-dangers-of-politically-motivated-de-banking\/"},"modified":"2024-02-27T19:25:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T00:25:27","slug":"religious-liberty-advocates-warn-tennessee-lawmakers-about-dangers-of-politically-motivated-de-banking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/religious-liberty-advocates-warn-tennessee-lawmakers-about-dangers-of-politically-motivated-de-banking\/","title":{"rendered":"Religious liberty advocates caution Tennessee lawmakers on risks of politically driven &#8216;de-banking"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Freligious-liberty-advocates-warn-tennessee-lawmakers-about-dangers-of-politically-motivated-de-banking%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2188137&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Tennessee Lawmakers Hear Testimonies of Religious Groups Losing \u2062Bank Accounts<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a compelling\u2062 hearing, Tennessee lawmakers were presented with accounts\u2064 from religious groups who believe they lost access to\u200b their bank \u200baccounts due to ideological reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Unjust De-Banking<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One\u200d such group, the National Committee for Religious Freedom, had recently opened an account with JPMorgan Chase. However, their account mysteriously vanished when the organization&#8217;s head, former Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, attempted to make a deposit. Despite being informed \u2064that they had missed a paperwork deadline, the account was terminated after only \u200cthree weeks, leaving the\u2063 group suspicious of de-banking, a practice where individuals are denied financial services due to their beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the hearing, the National Committee for Religious Freedom joined other groups in supporting\u200d a proposed \u2063Tennessee bill that aims to prevent banks from discriminating\u200b against individuals based on their political or religious\u2062 views. The group testified before the Tennessee House of Representatives&#8217; Subcommittee on Banking and Consumer Affairs, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Championing Religious Liberty<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Matt Goddard, senior advisor of the National Committee for Religious Freedom, expressed their \u2063concerns during a press conference after the hearing. He highlighted the importance \u200bof their cause, stating, &#8220;If\u200c Sam Brownback can \u2062be de-banked by \u2064Chase Bank, anyone can \u200dbe de-banked by Chase Bank.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The proposed \u200bbill, \u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/wapp.capitol.tn.gov\/apps\/BillInfo\/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>HB2100<\/strong><\/a>, seeks to prevent financial institutions and insurance\u200d companies from denying \u2063or canceling services based on speech, opinions, \u200baffiliations, or religious beliefs. It aims to amend Tennessee&#8217;s consumer protection laws without affecting existing\u200b quantitative factors considered by banks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The issue of de-banking gained attention in recent years, with \u2064incidents such as Canadian Prime Minister\u200b Justin Trudeau freezing the bank \u2063accounts of protesting \u2064truckers and banks being asked to flag transactions of Trump supporters and customers of outdoor stores.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Impacted Missions<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another case highlighted during the hearing was that of Indigenous Advance Ministries, a Memphis-based\u2062 Christian nonprofit aiding the impoverished in Uganda. Bank of America closed their account, citing a misalignment with the bank&#8217;s risk tolerance. This sudden closure greatly affected the organization&#8217;s mission, as they had been a customer for eight years.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the Tennessee\u2064 bill\u200c also aims to prohibit banks from \u2064maintaining a social\u200c credit score based on factors such as gun ownership, employment\u2062 in the firearm, oil, or timber industries, or support for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-candidate-ingrid-centurion-slams-nancy-mace-for-turning-her-back-on-trump\/\" title=\"Exclusive: Candidate Ingrid Centurion Slams Nancy Mace for Turning \u2018Her Back on Trump\u2019\">immigration law enforcement<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Protecting Tennesseans<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rep. Zachary emphasized that the legislation is a consumer protection act, safeguarding\u200c Tennesseans from being\u2062 de-banked\u200c for non-financial reasons. The insurance component of the bill aims to proactively prevent discrimination based on political speech\u2064 or religious belief.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Opposing the bill, the \u2063Tennessee\u200c Bankers \u200dAssociation argued that it \u200baddresses a non-existent \u2064problem, asserting that\u2062 federal discrimination laws already protect consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The House committee did not have \u200denough time to \u200dvote on advancing the bill\u200b but is expected to do so next week. Similar measures have been proposed in Florida and Iowa to\u200d protect consumers from financial discrimination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/dwapp\">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE\u200d APP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> In what \u200bways did \u2064Operation Choke Point in the United\u2064 States violate free speech \u200band religious\u200c liberty rights, and what impact did it have on high-risk businesses?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ter Justin Trudeau&#8217;s Liberal\u2064 Party being accused \u200bof targeting conservative groups through the\u2064 Canada \u200cSummer Jobs program. \u200bIn the United States, the Obama administration was also \u2064criticized for Operation Choke Point,\u2063 a program \u200cthat \u200daimed to shut\u2063 down access to financial services for businesses that were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-data-proves-it-floridas-covid-response-was-superior-to-new-york-and-california\/\" title=\"The Data Proves It: Florida\u2019s COVID Response Was Superior To New York And California\">considered high-risk<\/a>. Critics argued that\u2062 these\u2062 initiatives violated free \u200bspeech and religious liberty rights.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The case of the \u200cNational Committee for Religious Freedom is just one example of religious\u200b groups facing barriers when it comes to accessing financial services. Proponents of \u200dthe proposed Tennessee bill argue that banks should not have the \u200cpower to\u2063 determine who can have access to financial services based on ideological grounds. They believe that such \u2064practices not only infringe\u2063 on religious liberty \u2062but also stifle the free exchange of ideas and the diversity\u200c of viewpoints in society.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Opponents of \u2063the bill, on \u2063the other hand,\u200b argue that \u2062financial institutions should have\u2064 the right to choose \u2064whom they do business with.\u2064 They claim \u2063that\u200c banks \u2063should be able to evaluate the risk associated with certain individuals \u2064or groups and\u200d make decisions based on that assessment.\u2062 Critics worry that \u2063the bill could potentially undermine the \u2063ability\u2062 of\u2063 financial institutions to protect\u2062 themselves from fraudulent activities or \u200dillegal transactions. They also argue that the \u200cproposed legislation \u2064could lead \u200bto unintended consequences and create loopholes that could be exploited by bad actors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Tennessee \u200cHouse\u200c of Representatives&#8217; Subcommittee on Banking and Consumer Affairs must carefully consider these arguments \u200bas they deliberate on the proposed bill. They \u2064must weigh \u200cthe \u2062importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-claims-first-amendment-protection-in-response-to-lawsuit-trying-to-remove-him-from-colorado-ballot\/\" title=\"Trump cites First Amendment protection in lawsuit seeking his removal from Colorado ballot.\">protecting \u200dfree speech<\/a> and religious liberty against the\u2063 need to ensure the \u2064integrity and security \u2064of the financial system. Striking\u200d a\u2062 balance that safeguards both individual rights and \u200cthe stability of financial institutions is\u2062 a complex task, but it is crucial \u2062to\u2064 create a fair and inclusive \u200cbanking environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As the \u200cdiscussions continue, it is essential to remember\u200b the fundamental principles that underpin a democratic society. Preserving the \u2063rights of individuals to hold and express their \u200cbeliefs, whether religious\u200b or political, is central to maintaining a diverse, tolerant, and\u200d democratic society. \u200cWhile\u2062 financial institutions have the right\u2062 to protect themselves, they must do so \u2062without\u2063 unduly encroaching on \u200dthe \u200brights of individuals or discriminating\u200c against them based on their beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The \u200dhearing on the \u200cproposed Tennessee bill has provided an\u2062 opportunity to shed light on\u200c the issue\u2063 of de-banking and\u2062 religious discrimination,\u2063 prompting a \u200dcrucial conversation about the balance between individual freedoms and the\u200d responsibilities of financial\u2063 institutions. The\u2064 outcome of this debate will not only affect religious groups in Tennessee but will\u200d also \u2064set a precedent for \u2064similar discussions nationwide. It is a decision that will shape the landscape of\u200b religious freedom and political\u200c expression for years\u2062 to come.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASHVILLE &#8211; Tennessee lawmakers listened to religious groups&#8217; testimonies on Tuesday, revealing their bank account access being revoked due to suspected ideological motives. The National Committee for Religious Freedom, having recently opened an account with JPMorgan Chase, faced similar issues, as its head and ex-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":2188138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-108038101.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2188137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-108038101.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2188137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/200"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2188137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2188137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2188138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2188137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2188137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2188137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}