Behind legal fight over religious liberty, a question of conscience
The religious right of conscience was once a powerful legal idea. But when weighed against the right for equal treatment in recent gay rights cases, it has consistently lost ground.
By Warren Richey
JULY 13, 2016
When Bruce Springsteen canceled his concert in North Carolina in April to protest that state’s new transgender bathroom law, he followed his conscience.
Mr. Springsteen understood that his choice would cause economic harm to people whose jobs were associated with the show. But he decided to follow his highest sense of what is right to stand in solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
“Some things are more important than a rock show,” Springsteen said in a Facebook post. “It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition.”
In essence, Springsteen refused to use his creative talents in North Carolina because of his moral objection to the state law.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/0713/Behind-legal-fight-over-religious-liberty-a-question-of-conscience
Conscientious objection has historically come with a cost. The underlying flaw with the religious liberty laws percolating through the state legislatures is that they not only immunize homophobic objectors from any cost but they also harness the power of the state in enforcing it. These are no Berrigans.
= new reply since forum marked as read
