Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

SPRINGFIELD, Nov. 5, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Thomas More Society, which has been at the forefront in defending traditional marriage in Illinois, issued the following statement on House passage of Senate Bill-10's redefinition of marriage:

"While we believe it regrettable that Illinois legislators have now purported to redefine marriage as something different from the union of one man and one woman, we are at least pleased and reassured to hear that legislators insisted during today's floor debate in the House of Representatives that Illinois' Religious Freedom Restoration Act and other constitutional and statutory guaranties of Illinois citizens' religious liberties remain in full force and effect. We will do our part to insure that those fundamental religious liberties are given robust and unstinting protection. The free speech and free exercise clauses of our First Amendment remain at the core of our constitutional order, and no law nor any public official may lawfully coerce anyone to deny or disavow his or her religious beliefs, or refrain from professing those beliefs in the public square, or to go against those beliefs in practice. This is still a free country, and Thomas More Society stands ready to do its utmost to keep it free," said Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society.