Arkansas Senate passes religion bill seen as targeting gays

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

US | Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:56pm EDT

Arkansas Senate passes religion bill seen as targeting gays

BY JON HERSKOVITZ

(Reuters) - The Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly approved on Friday a Republican-backed bill whose authors say is intended to protect religious freedoms but critics contend could allow businesses to refuse service to gay people.

The Republican governor of Indiana signed into law a similar "religious freedom" bill on Thursday, prompting protests from human rights groups and criticism from some business leaders.

The bill advancing in the Republican-led Arkansas legislature says "governments should not substantially burden the free exercise of religion without compelling justification."

Supporters say a business should not be forced to, for example, cater a same-sex wedding if doing so would violate the religious beliefs of the owner.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/27/us-usa-arkansas-bill-idUSKBN0MN2JP20150327

[shenmue]

1. I hope they sue these people's asses off