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Feb. 24—ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a divisive bill on Thursday that its backers contend will give people more protection from government intrusion while practicing their faith. It now heads to the full Senate for a vote that could clear the way for it to make a crucial Crossover Day deadline Thursday. Acworth Republican Sen. Ed Setzler said his so-called Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act would allow the state to plug a gap in a federal law by adding projections that put the First Amendment right to exercise religion on the same level as the right to freedom of speech, assembly and the press. The bill, which was filed last year, was passed 6-3 on a party line vote, with Democratic committee members opposing the legislation. Opponents warn it could pave the way for private employers to deny birth control to employees or otherwise intrude on personal decisions. Setzler said the law could be used to protect people during pandemic lockdowns that forced churches to close their doors to in-person services. Detractors argue that the law would enable conservatives to use their faith as a reason to discriminate against members of the LGTBQ community and other […]