Around 200 opponents of a “religious liberty” bill rallied against it at the state Capitol saying it will lead to discrimination of the LGBT community.

Rabbi Joshua Lesser, who leads Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, says it disguises religious freedom as a license to discriminate.

“This is a bill that offends all religious traditions, all faith traditions,” he says.

As the legislative session winds down this week, those on both sides of SB 129 are trying to sway lawmakers.

The measure would prevent state or local government from infringing on the religious beliefs of an individual without a compelling interest to do so.  The language mirrors federal legislation passed in 1993 under Pres. Bill Clinton.

Twenty other states have similar laws.  Indiana, the most recent of which to enact the bill, is already facing boycott threats, and has seen protests around the state.

“The backlash that we have seen to the legislation that recently passed in Indiana has really exposed how dangerous these types of bills can be,” says Jeff Graham with Georgia Equality.

So far, SB 129 has not made it out of a House committee, which amended it late last week by adding language that would make it clear the bill could not be used to discriminate against anyone already protected by any local, state, or federal law. The measure was then quickly tabled by supporters who fear the new language guts the intent of the bill.

Mike Griffin, a lobbyist for the Georgia Baptist Convention, tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish the measure is simply meant to protect First Amendment rights.

“I’m sure there’s a concern in the LGBT community, but they don’t need to be on this bill; this is a bill that protects all people of faith,” he says.

Griffin remains hopeful the measure will be voted on without the additional language before Thursday’s midnight deadline.

“We’re keeping hope alive,” he says.