I strongly support the State Board of Social Services provision, voted on and approved 7-2 on April 20, 2011, that preserves the fundamental right of faith-based organizations to work without government interference in the practice of faith. The right of these organizations to make decisions and act according to their religious beliefs is protected by federal state laws, and must be preserved now and in the future. To force such organizations to choose between deeply held, divinely inspired values and the law would clearly violate the right to religious freedom in Virginia, which is rooted in the very foundation of our Commonwealth and the republic. Such a violation of these organizations’ rights would also severely hamper, or even cease, the tremendously positive and valuable services they provide to our communities and the state itself. These organizations must be allowed to live and work without such governmental intrusion.