Religious Right Kicks off Campaign for Istook Religion Amendment

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Backed by a full gospel choir and a line-up of alleged "victims" of religious discrimination, Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed formally inaugurated the group's drive to add a "Religious Freedom Amendment" to the Constitution at a Capitol Hill rally May 22.

Reed joined the Rev. Earl Jackson, the Christian Coalition's director of urban development, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building before a crowd of about 400 supporters for a "Religious Freedom Ride Celebration."

Among the speakers was U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.), the chief sponsor of the "Religious Freedom Amendment" in Congress. Istook told the gathering that religious freedom has been …