Indiana religious freedom act

[Jazzy]

Should religious owners of flower shops or wedding photographers or cake makers have the right to refuse their services to gay couples? Can a religious anesthesiologist refuse to participate if a woman is about to undergo an abortion?

For many religious conservatives, the answer to these questions should be “yes.” And many are hoping new “religious freedom restoration acts,” loosely modeled on a federal law passed in 1993, can help carve out space in which they do not have to participate in matters against their religious consciences.

On Monday, Indiana became the latest state to pass such legislation. Indiana’s Republican-dominated House overwhelmingly passed the bill 63 to 31, mostly along party lines, following the state’s Senate approval of a slightly different version last month. Republican Gov. Mike Pence has promised to sign the bill into law.

The Indiana bill, like existing state and federal laws, allows individual religious freedom to trump other laws if they impose a “substantial burden” on the free exercise of religion. Unless the government can demonstrate a “compelling state interest” and prove that a law’s religious burdens were “the least restrictive means” of furthering that interest, religious freedom would prevail.

Source

In your opinion, does it protect faithful or legalize prejudice?

 

[Dee]

I'm a bit torn on this one. It is a legal loophole that protects faith and legalizes prejudice, but on one side I feel like it's their business and they don't have to serve anyone they don't want to; however, on the other side, I feel like it's not right to deny business to anyone unless they are posing a real threat to their lives or business and not just their idea of religion.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

Anyone should be able to refuse service for any reason they want. It is there business and property and wether I think it is because of race or any other reason should make no difference. I want a open society and to clearly know where everyone stands so I know where to spend or not spend my money.

 

[Jazzy]

This law is a good one. Why? I support ALL marriages. However, people should not be forced to perform marriages if their faith does not allow it. I respect that. If people do not wish to serve certain folks, that is their right. You can have your rights without trying to force other people to give up theirs.

 

[Webster]

Should religious owners of flower shops or wedding photographers or cake makers have the right to refuse their services to gay couples? Can a religious anesthesiologist refuse to participate if a woman is about to undergo an abortion?

For many religious conservatives, the answer to these questions should be “yes.” And many are hoping new “religious freedom restoration acts,” loosely modeled on a federal law passed in 1993, can help carve out space in which they do not have to participate in matters against their religious consciences.

On Monday, Indiana became the latest state to pass such legislation. Indiana’s Republican-dominated House overwhelmingly passed the bill 63 to 31, mostly along party lines, following the state’s Senate approval of a slightly different version last month. Republican Gov. Mike Pence has promised to sign the bill into law.

The Indiana bill, like existing state and federal laws, allows individual religious freedom to trump other laws if they impose a “substantial burden” on the free exercise of religion. Unless the government can demonstrate a “compelling state interest” and prove that a law’s religious burdens were “the least restrictive means” of furthering that interest, religious freedom would prevail.

Source

In your opinion, does it protect faithful or legalize prejudice?

Bad idea, bad idea....this law passes, just watch people start using "religious liberty" as a cudgel to discriminate against people....I mean, seriously, someone should be asking these dunderheads: when did your religious freedom override my right to be treated equally under the law?

There's two things that I think are going to happen here, Jazzy, should this become law: (1)there will likely be boycotts of Indiana after this becomes law and (2)it wouldn't surprise me if business owners didn't use this law to discriminate against Christians; after all, what's good for the goose is equally good for the gander.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

Should religious owners of flower shops or wedding photographers or cake makers have the right to refuse their services to gay couples? Can a religious anesthesiologist refuse to participate if a woman is about to undergo an abortion?

For many religious conservatives, the answer to these questions should be “yes.” And many are hoping new “religious freedom restoration acts,” loosely modeled on a federal law passed in 1993, can help carve out space in which they do not have to participate in matters against their religious consciences.  

On Monday, Indiana became the latest state to pass such legislation. Indiana’s Republican-dominated House overwhelmingly passed the bill 63 to 31, mostly along party lines, following the state’s Senate approval of a slightly different version last month. Republican Gov. Mike Pence has promised to sign the bill into law.

The Indiana bill, like existing state and federal laws, allows individual religious freedom to trump other laws if they impose a “substantial burden” on the free exercise of religion. Unless the government can demonstrate a “compelling state interest” and prove that a law’s religious burdens were “the least restrictive means” of furthering that interest, religious freedom would prevail.

Source

In your opinion, does it protect faithful or legalize prejudice?

Bad idea, bad idea....this law passes, just watch people start using "religious liberty" as a cudgel to discriminate against people....I mean, seriously, someone should be asking these dunderheads: when did your religious freedom override my right to be treated equally under the law?

There's two things that I think are going to happen here, Jazzy, should this become law: (1)there will likely be boycotts of Indiana after this becomes law and (2)it wouldn't surprise me if business owners didn't use this law to discriminate against Christians; after all, what's good for the goose is equally good for the gander.

Thats fine it should be both sides, all sides to freely pick who they choose to give business to. It is there business for heavens sakes. 

 

[mrldii]

If a business with a product/service to sell isn't accepting Federal/State monies TO operate, I don't see why not.

And, yeah...I don't see why they can't put up signs saying such. If you're a self-sustaining business (for instance, a restaurant/caterer/photographer, etc) go ahead and post a sign that says "No non-white people", "No gays", "No women", "No non-Christians", "No democrats"...whatever particularly causes your own little brand of angst.


Despite what I see on internet discussion boards, I have more faith in the humanity of the majority of human beings; especially in a capitalist society, they won't stay in business long. If they do manage to eke out an existence, then at least the neanderthal idiots are safely contained in one place to simply infect each other with the bigotry, racism, sexism, and/or any other ism that's eating them alive, from within.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

If a business with a product/service to sell isn't accepting Federal/State monies TO operate, I don't see why not.

And, yeah...I don't see why they can't put up signs saying such.  If you're a self-sustaining business (for instance, a restaurant/caterer/photographer, etc) go ahead and post a sign that says "No non-white people", "No gays", "No women", "No non-Christians", "No democrats"...whatever particularly causes your own little brand of angst.


Despite what I see on internet discussion boards, I have more faith in the humanity of the majority of human beings;  especially in a capitalist society, they won't stay in business long.  If they do manage to eke out an existence, then at least the neanderthal idiots are safely contained in one place to simply infect each other with the bigotry, racism, sexism, and/or any other ism that's eating them alive, from within.

You said that beautifully!

 

[Webster]

...well, looks like I can add Indiana to the list of states I don't plan on visiting anytime soon:
Excerpt...

(LGBTQ Nation) INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday signed into law a religious objections bill that some convention organizers and business leaders have opposed amid concern it would allow discrimination against LGBT people.

Indiana is the first state to enact such a change this year among about a dozen where such proposals have been introduced. The measure would prohibit state and local laws that “substantially burden” the ability of people – including businesses and associations – to follow their religious beliefs.

Pence, a Republican, backed the bill as it moved through the Legislature and spoke at a Statehouse rally last month that drew hundreds of supporters of the proposal. The governor signed the bill in a private ceremony.

Pence said in a statement Thursday that the bill ensures “religious liberty is fully protected under Indiana law. The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion, but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action,” he said.

In a letter to Pence sent Wednesday, leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) warned that the legislation was causing them to reconsider plans to hold their 6,000-person General Assembly in Indianapolis in 2017.
The CEO of a gathering of gamers considered to be the city’s largest annual convention also expressed concern about the bill, which the state Senate passed Tuesday.

The bill signing comes just more than a week before NCAA men’s Final Four games at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, but the college sports organization hasn’t taken a position on the issue.

“We are examining the details of this bill, however, the NCAA national office is committed to an inclusive environment where all individuals enjoy equal access to events,” the Indianapolis-based group said in a statement.

...with all due respect, Gov. Pence,

you very much...
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And, yeah...I don't see why they can't put up signs saying such. If you're a self-sustaining business (for instance, a restaurant/caterer/photographer, etc) go ahead and post a sign that says "No non-white people", "No gays", "No women", "No non-Christians", "No democrats"...whatever particularly causes your own little brand of angst.

Sorry, Mrldii....