Religious Freedom? Nope, Just Plain Old Discrimination - By Gene Robinson

[DonViejo]

Conservatives can’t stop gay marriage. But they can stop laws that prevent discrimination. And in Indiana and elsewhere, they’re succeeding.

Religious conservatives have lost their battle over gay marriage. Most will even admit it. The clock is ticking down to April 28, when the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against it—and by the end of June, they will have ruled on the right of every American to a civil marriage to the person of their choosing, regardless of gender. Although a “no gay marriage” ruling is possible, almost no one believes the Supreme Court will rule against the civil right to marriage.

Majority support for gay marriage is to be found in virtually every demographic in society. But the minority who still opposes it does so with vigor and conviction. The Roman Catholic hierarchy (not the people in the pews) and conservative Evangelicals continue to look for ways to express their disdain and condemnation for gay or lesbian couples who want to be married or who have been married. The new strategy is to do state-by-state what has been impossible nationally. With the help of ALEC (the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council), bills are popping up all over the country in state legislatures with what conservatives hope will be their effective (and legal) defense against the rising tide of acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Indiana is a good case in point. On Monday, the Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill that would exempt individuals and companies from non-discrimination rulings by the courts—based on their religious beliefs. A similar bill was passed earlier by the Indiana Senate, and once the two are reconciled, Republican Governor Mike Pence has indicated he will sign it. This legislation, like its sister bills in other state legislatures, is based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 1993. Many states have their own RFRAs, which, like the federal one, prevent any law which substantially burdens a person’s free expression of religion. (This legislation figured heavily into the Hobby Lobby case.)

If this legislation becomes law, anyone who disagrees with any non-discrimination legislation or court rulings would be allowed, based on their religious beliefs, to disregard the provisions of that non-discrimination protection.

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/25/no-gays-allowed-now-legal-in-indiana.html

[jehop61]

1. I would just love to see

Participants in the Final Four Basketball Tournament refuse to play in Indianapolis if this bill is signed. Would that ever send a message! But alas, that's just a pipe dream

[cbayer]

3. That would be great. There might be other ways to boycott them as well.

[cbayer]

2. Disgusting. At the very least I hope it costs them mega-bucks in legal fees.

[safeinOhio]

4. Some how I see a major back fire to this.

Unintended consequences when some Christian can't get a wanted service because of it.

[cbayer]

5. Yep. I also hope that some businesses will put "We don't discriminate" posters

in their windows. Anyone who doesn't have it will be obvious.

[safeinOhio]

6. I was thinking a great restaurant

that required signing a petition supporting abortion rights and gay rights to get in. Best food in town and best prices.

[cbayer]

7. I can't remember if it was Indiana or another state but someone had

introduced an amendment that companies that wanted to be protected by this new law would be required to put signs up that said so. No sign, no protection.