Thread: 'Religious Freedom' Bill

Indiana House passes controversial religious freedom bill
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey March 23, 2015

A controversial religious freedom bill that would protect business owners who want to decline to provide services for same-sex couples was passed by Indiana’s State House today, the latest in a larger battle over same-sex marriage and rights.

The bill reflects a national debate over the dividing line between religious liberty and anti-gay discrimination. The question of whether the religious rights of business owners also extend to their for-profit companies has been a flashpoint as part of a larger debate over same-sex marriage. For instance, the bill would protect a wedding photographer who objects to shooting a same-sex wedding.

The Indiana House voted 63 to 31 to approve a hot-button bill that will likely become law, and Republican Gov. Mike Pence said he plans to sign the legislation when it lands on his desk. The state Senate’s version of the bill would prevent the government from “substantially burdening” a person’s exercise of religion unless the government can prove it has a compelling interest and is doing so in the least restrictive means.

Supporters say the measure supports religious freedom while opponents fear discrimination against LGBT people. The push towards this kind of legislation comes as same-sex marriage becomes legal across the country. In September, a federal court ruling struck down bans on same-sex marriage in Indiana and other states.

Jason Collins, an athlete who publicly came out as gay after the 2013 NBA season, will be in Indianapolis as a Yahoo Sports analyst covering the NCAA Final Four and publicly questioned the bill.

Gen Con, a popular game convention and the city’s largest convention in attendance and economic impact, says it will reconsider Indianapolis as its annual location due to the bill. Last year, its CEO said in a letter, the convention attracted 56,000 and brought $50 million to the city.

Indiana’s religious freedom bill is modeled on a 22-year-old federal law called the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, which played a key role in the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision in 2014. The court ruled that closely held corporations with religious objections do not have to comply with health-care requirements that they cover contraceptives like Plan B.

A growing list of cities are passing gay anti-discrimination ordinances, which has raised the ire of more conservative state houses. Several states have adopted laws related to religious freedom. Utah recently passed a bill aiming to protect people who are LGBT from employment and housing decisions based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, while still protecting religious institutions that oppose homosexuality. The bill did not deal with whether a business can deny services because of religious convictions.

In debating the measure Monday, lawmakers on both sides of the issue cited the Bible to defend their positions, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Republican Rep. Bruce Borders spoke about an anesthesiologist who declined to anesthetize a woman in preparation for an abortion. According to the Star, Borders said he believes the Bible’s command to “do all things as unto the Lord” means religious believers need to be protected not just in church but in their workplaces as well.

Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney argued that Jesus served all people. “My prophet had dinner with hookers,” he said, according to The Star. “Was he blessing them? I hope so.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/a...-freedom-bill/


What ever happened to a business reserving the right to refuse service to any customer for any reason ??

NCAA's response to Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' law is perfect
Dan Wetzel 1 hour ago
Yahoo Sports Commentary

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says the "Religious Freedom" bill he signed into law Thursday isn't about turning back the clock to old-time bigotry where you could refuse service to blacks at restaurants, set up drinking fountains for whites only or post a job opening alongside a sign with NINA painted on it – No Irish Need Apply.

The NCAA and its president, Mark Emmert, responded with what most clear-minded people believe: that this law is about the state of Indiana protecting discrimination, effectively allowing businesses to deny service to gays and lesbians based on religious beliefs. As such, Emmert, whose organization is hosting the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis where the NCAA is also headquartered, went far enough to threaten future events in the state and potentially moving their offices out of downtown Indianapolis.

"The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events," NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement issued immediately after Pence signed the law. "We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees.

"We will work diligently to assure student-athletes competing in, and visitors attending, next week's Men's Final Four in Indianapolis are not impacted negatively by this bill,” the statement continued. “Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce."

The tide has turned. The young and more enlightened are rising up, which is why laws like this won't last 10 years; maybe not even five. This is the last grasp of open discrimination.

Soon enough everyone supporting these ideals of discrimination will be incredibly humiliated they ever did so, the way old timers hang their heads when asked about how they thought a segregated lunch counter for third graders was a just idea. Most will pretend they didn't agree with it in the first place. Shame will cause everyone to run from it.

Let the NCAA's statement be the first of many.

NCAA Final Fours in Indianapolis? Not after next week.

The NCAA already refuses to stage national tournaments in South Carolina because the Confederate battle flag flies on the grounds of the state capitol in Columbia. (Though the University of South Carolina was recently allowed to host a women's NCAA tournament game because it was a "non-predetermined" event.) So why not on this issue?

As for moving the NCAA national headquarters out of downtown Indianapolis, well that's more challenging, but it's a good and bold threat by Emmert.

This is the NCAA leading for a change.

The NFL should follow suit. Future Super Bowl consideration? Forget it. The league once banned Arizona from hosting the Super Bowl because at the time it wouldn't recognize Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

(And yes, Arizona actually did this. See how ridiculous these things sound later on?)

The annual NFL combine, which is a major convention for downtown Indy? The league should find a new home, pronto.

How about you, Big Ten Conference, with your Indianapolis-staged football title game and basketball tournaments? There are plenty of places eager to host both. Go find one.

These sports leagues shouldn't stop there, however.

Mike Pence isn't even a creative, trend-setting bigot. He's just a dense follower. Indiana is the 20th state with some kind of similar law – the kind that would never be allowed against any other group of humans. It's long past time they answer for it too.

This is the era where civil rights victories for gays and lesbians are sweeping the country; next month, the Supreme Court will consider whether to make legalized gay marriage the law of the land.

So use the momentum to right past wrongs. Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Alabama, wherever else you want to do this, it's true the rest of America may not be able to change the law – time and young people will do that for you.

National organizations such as the NCAA and NFL sure can say that if you're not willing to do business with all of our customers, then we'll go and do business where they will.

After all, the best counter to these religious freedom measures has come from an Oklahoma representative named Emily Virgin.

She introduced an amendment in her state that would require a business that will refuses service to certain individuals to "post notice of such refusal in a manner clearly visible to the public in all places of business, including websites. The notice may refer to the person's religious beliefs, but shall state specifically which couples the business does not serve by referring to a refusal based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or race."

Essentially, it tells everyone your intentions, who you are and what you are about. That way the gay couple looking for a florist knows not to go inside … and the rest of the public who think you're an idiot can go find another florist, too.

Then the religious freedom florist will cling to a dwindling customer base until it goes out of business.

In a sense, this is the same thing on a national level. Stand up and be counted. Let the NCAA and the NFL and the Big Ten and anyone else in sports explain whether this is something they want to support so the rest of us can decide whether to still support them.

Mike Pence signed his name to the bill, so we know on which side of history this guy wants to be on.

Mark Emmert has taken the first step to leading the charge on the other.

How about you Roger Goodell? How about you Jim Delany?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaa-s-...203433125.html

George Takei Calls For A Boycott Of Indiana

Actor and LGBT activist George Takei has called for a boycott of Indiana, including GenCon, the world's largest gaming convention, in response to the Religious Freedom law enacted today.


http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement...ott_of_indiana

Indiana allows needle exchange program to stem HIV outbreak
By RICK CALLAHAN, Associated Press
4 hrs ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence authorized a short-term needle-exchange program and other steps Thursday to help contain the spread of HIV in a county tied to 79 new infections since January, all of them linked to intravenous drug use.


Pence issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency in Scott County, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. He ordered the state health department to set up a command center to coordinate HIV and substance-abuse treatment and establish a mobile unit to enroll people in a state-run health program.

Most of the infections involve people who shared a syringe while injecting a liquid form of the prescription painkiller Opana, according to state epidemiologist Pam Pontones.

Indiana law normally forbids needle-exchange programs, which allow people to turn in used hypodermic needles and get clean ones in an effort to keep diseases such as HIV and hepatitis from spreading. Pence says he opposes them as part of anti-drug policy.

But the governor said he agreed to a limited exchange in Scott County because of the emergency nature of the infections. He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommended a needle-exchange program because all of the HIV cases have now been linked to IV drug use.

In addition, the state has launched a public-awareness campaign to focus on drug treatment, infection prevention, safe sex, needle disposal and HIV testing and treatment.

"This is all hands on deck. This is a very serious situation," Pence said Thursday at a news conference.

Pence's executive order will run for 30 days, at which time he will consider whether to extend it for another 30-day period.

All of those infected either live in Scott County or have ties to the county.

The number of cases tied to the county is up from 26 a month ago and is expected to continue to climb. Health officials said Wednesday that they were trying to contact as many as 100 people tied to those with confirmed infections of the virus that causes AIDS.

The county typically sees about five HIV cases each year, health officials said this week.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ind...id=ansnewsap11

White House Can't Explain Difference Between Indiana Law and One Obama Backed
Sunday, 29 Mar 2015 09:09 PM
By Greg Richter

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest balked when asked Sunday how the Indiana religious freedom law opposed by President Barack Obama differs from a similar law Obama voted for when he was a state senator in Illinois.

Earnest appeared on ABC's "This Week" immediately following Indiana's Republican Gov. Mike Pence on Sunday and was asked about the issue.



"If you have to go back two decades to try to justify something that you're doing today, it may raise questions," Earnest told host George Stephanopoulos.

"It should be easy for leaders to stand up and say, it's wrong to discriminate against people just because of who they love," Earnest continued.

But National Review's Patrick Brennan on Sunday afternoon called that a "weak, unserious argument."

Obama has said his views on same-sex marriage have "evolved," and National Review notes that politicians do change some of their views over time, but Brennan argues that if Obama believes Indiana's law is wrong, he should support all the previously existing state laws like it.

But Obama isn't, and neither is anyone else, Brennan notes, arguing that the "hysteria" over religious-liberty laws is a "sham."

"They don’t protect or encourage any noticeable level of discrimination against homosexuals; they just provide assurances that the power of the state can’t be brought to bear to make citizens violate their consciences," he writes. "The laws seem to have succeeded at that, which is why their existence hasn’t aroused any controversy."

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/ind...obama-illinois

See also Mayor Bans Travel To Indiana By City Workers http://www.opposingviews.com/i/polit...a-city-workers


Why is it discriminatory for a business to say 'I won't bake a cake for you due to your being gay', but it isn't discrimination when a gay says 'you have to violate YOUR belief in your religion to accommodate my request'?

WHAT DO YOU THINK??

"So if you feel its OK to force a Christian Baker to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. Then should we make a Muslim butcher process a hog from a farmer who brings a pig him to slaughter? How about a Jewish Baker bake a face cake of Hitler's Face? How about a pro choice group pass out literature about the consequences of having a abortion? Last but not least, What would you have to say about a skinhead who wants a Black or Hispanic baker to bake their KKK or SS cakes!!! .Be Careful what you ask for, You never know where it will end up"

“Our nation remains split on how to balance the diversity of our culture with the traditions and firmly held religious convictions.”

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson urges state lawmakers to make changes in a controversial religious freedom bill in the face of criticism that it could allow businesses and others to discriminate based on sexual orientation. http://fxn.ws/1C8rjaD

Arkansas governor urges changes to religious objection bill
By ANDREW DEMILLO, Associated Press
1 hr ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson backed away Wednesday from his promise to sign a controversial religious-objections bill, bowing to pressure from critics that included his own son and some of the state's biggest employers, who say the legislation is anti-gay.

The Republican governor said he wants the Legislature either to recall the bill from his desk or pass a follow-up measure that would make the proposal more closely mirror a federal religious-freedom law.

Hutchinson said his son Seth was among those who signed a petition asking him to veto the bill.

"This is a bill that in ordinary times would not be controversial," the governor said. "But these are not ordinary times."

Hutchinson initially supported the bill, and on Tuesday, his office said he planned to sign it into law. But a day later, his position had changed.

"What is important from an Arkansas standpoint is one, we get the right balance. And secondly, we make sure that we communicate we're not going to be a state that fails to recognize the diversity of our workplace, our economy and our future," Hutchinson said at a news conference at the state Capitol.

He was the second governor in as many days to give ground to opponents of the legislation.

After Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a similar measure last week, Pence and fellow Republicans endured days of sharp criticism from around the country. The Indiana governor is now seeking follow-up legislation to address concerns that the law could allow businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Hutchinson also faced pressure from the state's top employers, including Wal-Mart, which has asked for the bill to be vetoed. Little Rock's mayor, the city's Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas-based data-services company Acxiom have all urged the governor to reject the bill.

Other big names in businesses, including Apple, Gap and Levi Strauss, have also spoken out against the religious-objection measures.

Experts say companies are increasingly concerned about any laws that could alienate customers, hurt state economies or limit employers' ability to attract and retain talent.

Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is particularly influential because it is the world's largest retailer and the nation's largest private employer.

Neither the Indiana nor Arkansas law specifically mentions gays and lesbians, but opponents are concerned that the language contained in them could offer a legal defense to businesses and other institutions that refuse to serve gays, such as caterers, florists or photographers with religious objections to same-sex marriage.

Supporters insist the law will only give religious objectors a chance to bring their case before a judge.

Similar proposals have been introduced this year in more than a dozen states, patterned after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, with some differences. Nineteen other states have similar laws on the books.

Hutchinson did not specifically call for changes that would prohibit the law from being used to deny services, but the governor said he did not believe the bill was intended to do so.

"This law that is under consideration does not extend discrimination," Hutchinson said.

The governor also said he was considering signing an executive order preventing workplace discrimination by state agencies.

The lawmakers behind the proposal said they were open to discussions but stopped short of saying they would support any changes.

"We're going to go to work on it," Republican Rep. Bob Ballinger of Hindsville said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was looking at making changes as an amendment to a bill that was originally intended to prohibit foreign laws from being applied in state courts, said Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, chairman of the panel and the governor's nephew.

Opponents of the law were encouraged by Hutchinson's comments.

"What's clear is the governor has been listening," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights group. "The governor listened to business leaders in this state and around the country, and the governor listened to tens of thousands of Arkansans. .... Now what we have to do is keep the pressure on."

Conservative groups that had been pushing for the measure questioned the need for any changes.

"I'm very puzzled at this point to see why the bill would need to be amended at this late date, considering everybody in the chamber has had a chance to see it," said Jerry Cox, head of the Arkansas Family Council. "I think it's been thoroughly vetted, and it's a good law."

Legislators face a short window to address Hutchinson's concerns. The governor has five days to take action on the bill before it becomes law without his signature. Lawmakers had hoped to wrap up this year's session by Thursday.

Removing the bill from Hutchinson's desk will require a simple majority in the 100-member House, but reversing the votes that gave the measure final approval needs the support of at least 67 members.

In Indiana, Republican legislative leaders met Wednesday with Pence as they worked to clarify Indiana's new law.

"We're actively talking, not just with the governor, but with members of the corporate and sports community," House Speaker Brian Bosma said. "I've had a couple of meetings with LGBT folks."

The Indianapolis Star, which obtained a draft of the proposed language, reported that it would specify that the law cannot be used as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods or accommodations based on a person's sexual orientation.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politi...id=ansnewsap11

Rush Limbaugh



"Why are you so upset just because of who people love?" You've seen that phrase bandied about in this Indiana fight. Well, I could mention that I love somebody, and it wouldn't be accepted, and I would be called a bigot and any number of other bad names. All I would have to do is say, "I love Jesus Christ." That not permitted. That makes you a bigot, whatever else, because that's what the left is scared to death of."

Apple CEO disagrees with Indiana religious freedom law,
doesn’t mention Muslim countries
John S. Roberts
March 31, 2015

Can liberals still infer with a straight face that they are the party of tolerance? It doesn’t seem plausible.

You’d think at this point the left would focus their attention to the countless murders of gays in Islamic countries where being thrown from a rooftop is a regular occurrence. Can liberals still infer with a straight face that they are the party of tolerance? It doesn’t seem plausible.

You’d think at this point the left would focus their attention to the countless murders of gays in Islamic countries where being thrown from a rooftop is a regular occurrence. Nope. http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015...p-in-al-raqqa/ Nope. Instead they’re focused on whether or not businesses in Indiana have the right to protect their products and values.

Here’s how Apple CEO Tim Cook feels about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act recently signed by Governor Mike Pence (R-IN).

From WeaselZippers: http://weaselzippers.us/219135-apple...-execute-gays/



“Apple is open for everyone…” if you support a liberal agenda, is basically the idea.

At this point why not just come out and say that if you support anything other than what we (Apple) believe, we don’t want you to touch our product? That’s what’s being subtly implied. Imagine the hit the company would take if that happened.

Again, any thoughts about the atrocities towards gays taking place overseas?

As Hot Air’s Allahpundit notes, CEO Tim Cook was responsible for getting Apple products into Saudi Arabia, where they still execute gays.



The left and its supporters choose to routinely remain ignorant on what happens abroad. Everything America does is harmful, racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, etc. Please!


And the UAE, another country where homosexuality is punishable by death.

December 20, 2014:

The United Electronics Company, better known as eXtra, has announced the opening of Apple’s first new generation stores in Saudi Arabia.

The Apple outlets will be located in eXtra’s shops in Riyadh and Al Khobar, the retailer said in a statement. […]

Separately, the new Apple store planned for Dubai is expected to open in February next year, according to reports.

Earlier this year, Apple confirmed plans to open a store in the region, which was underlined by a series of job listings for stores in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The new store in the Mall of Emirates is expected to be its biggest outlet in the world, bigger than its current flagship outlet – the 23,000 sq ft Grand Central Store in New York.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the UAE in February this year, meeting with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, as well as a number of Apple resellers.

Try taking a dose of your own medicine and call out those who truly discriminate against the gay community!




http://www.youngcons.com/apple-ceo-d...lim-countries/


comments

The worst thing that could happen to gays in Indiana is that they get refused a wedding cake. In which they can simply go another business. They are not denied medical attention, they are not hung, they are not stoned or beheaded. The two are nothing alike. Also I hope you know Indiana is just one of 19 states that have the religious freedom bill.

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Indiana is the only one of the 19 states whose religious freedom law extends to private for-profit businesses. Furthermore, that now means grocery stores, pharmacys, and other businesses can refuse service based on the SOLE on something that has absolutely no bearing on them what so ever.

To put this into perspective for you, under the new law, I can refuse to let you eat at my restaurant, shop in my grocery store (or mall even), or even refuse to let you fill your prescription for that life saving medication you need at my pharmacy.... all because you are a Christian and i might be a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or even atheist. It's a two way street.

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What about drafting conscientious objectors. Like Mohammad Ali a PRIZE FIGHTING MUSLIM, evading the draft as a Conscientious Objector. Look into this and then ask how a Christian can be FORCED to commit the SIN of helping celebrate a "gay" "wedding". A Catholic who KNOWINGLY does this must then go to Confession, Repent and resolve not to sin again to be included in ANY Sacrament. Why would YOU want to put another human through this? Where is YOUR compassion? Where is YOUR understanding. Its not a sin to sell groceries to ANYONE. But to help them CELEBRATE a "gay" "wedding" by catering is direct involvement in the sin and is NOT allowed. Your understanding is YOU forcing people to aid you in any "if it feels good do it" lust that appeals to you. Forcing people to help you is also a sin. Don't believe in sin? I don't care what YOU believe or what YOU do. It only concerns ME when you force your fundamentally disordered lifestyle on ME. THEN I must object.

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Actually, ALL states have this law, in the sense that it is modeled on the federal law of the same name, signed by none other than Bill Clinton back in 1993.

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You have missed the point entirely, which is that Apple is willing to boycott Indiana over a law that permits business owners to refrain from participating in gay marriages and yet will not boycott countries that treat gays like criminals! Get a grip, These types of laws have been on the books for years in several states and no one has been discriminated against because of them. On the other hand, business owners everywhere are being driven out of business by the gay mafia just because it is against their religious beliefs to participate in gay weddings.

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It's not individuals boycotting businesses, it's government running them out of business because they refuse to allow the government to force them to do something that goes against their religious beliefs...If it was simply boycotting, that would be fine, but the fact is they are bullying companies into throwing away religious beliefs or going out of business.

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

George Takei Calls For A Boycott Of Indiana

Actor and LGBT activist George Takei has called for a boycott of Indiana, including GenCon, the world's largest gaming convention, in response to the Religious Freedom law enacted today.


http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement...ott_of_indiana

Georgie has no clue what he is talking about. GenCon is not a traveling convention, was the largest RPG and only held in California. Milwaukee - second largest RPG Con, Since Gary Gygax lived in a nearby Municipality. Then Evansville, IN - whistle stop type - what joke place, Gary only appeared there since he didn't live that far, and nothing was scheduled.

Why boycott an entire state, since it only has to do with things small business would rather not provide a service to, since its against their Religious beliefs regarding same sex. So they are either Greek Orthodox, or Judaism.

After all the Pope condones same sex - Christians, how are they going to get around that?

Just use another business. If that bakery or venue is hot, they won't miss the business anyways.

Steven Crowder visits Muslim bakeries to buy a GAY WEDDING CAKE!

Posted by The Right Scoop on Apr 2, 2015 at 8:42 PM


Steven Crowder took a trip up to Dearbornistan to find out if he could get a wedding cake for his same-sex wedding. Turns out he found some resistance: http://louderwithcrowder.com/hidden-...muslim-bakery/



He’s exactly right about Cuomo. That guy will take away your rights just because you don’t agree with him. Talk about a totalitarian.

http://therightscoop.com/hidden-came...-wedding-cake/

Between this video and the last one I'm starting to worry about you Steven haha. Ironic isn't it that only white Christians are singled out but never anyone else.

Christian Man Asks Thirteen Gay Bakeries To Bake Him Pro-Traditional Marriage Cake, And Is Denied Service By All Of Them http://shoebat.com/2014/12/12/christ...hocking-video/