Contending For Religious Liberty: Mississippi Wins, And So Do We!
In 2015 the United States Supreme Court decided in a controversial decision (5-4) that states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Gay couples now have the "right" to get "married" in every state.
But what about dissenters? What about the millions of Americans who have religious convictions against gay marriage? Do they lose the freedom to live according to their convictions? Does the new right invented by the Supreme Court now criminalize religious dissenters? (If the Supreme Court insists on inventing new "rights," then there is a need for new laws that protect religious liberty.)
To make sure that religious organizations and individuals are not persecuted for their religious beliefs, the state of Mississippi passed a law called Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act. It was passed in 2016. What does the law do? According to Ryan Anderson of The Daily Signal, the law does the following:
This is a huge win for all Christians. Other states, especially my state of Louisiana, and the federal government should move quickly to pass similar laws protecting religious dissenters to same-sex marriage.
This is a great law. It enables peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic, free society. On the one hand, gay people have the freedom to get married. On the other hand, Christians have the right to exercise their religion. Homosexuality and gay marriage and transgenderism are offensive to Christians. This belief is offensive to homosexuals and transgenders. But there's no law that protects people from getting their feelings hurt. We're not Canada yet! Believe what you want to believe, do what you want to do, but don't punish me for being critical or for refusing to participate.
Read more about this story:
But what about dissenters? What about the millions of Americans who have religious convictions against gay marriage? Do they lose the freedom to live according to their convictions? Does the new right invented by the Supreme Court now criminalize religious dissenters? (If the Supreme Court insists on inventing new "rights," then there is a need for new laws that protect religious liberty.)
To make sure that religious organizations and individuals are not persecuted for their religious beliefs, the state of Mississippi passed a law called Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act. It was passed in 2016. What does the law do? According to Ryan Anderson of The Daily Signal, the law does the following:
- Religious organizations, like churches, cannot be forced to use their facilities to celebrate or solemnize weddings that violate their beliefs.
- Religious convents, universities, and social service organizations can continue to maintain personnel and housing policies reflecting their beliefs.
- Religious adoption agencies can continue to operate by their conviction that every child they serve deserves to be placed with a married mom and dad.
- Bakers, photographers, florists, and similar wedding-specific vendors cannot be forced to use their talents to celebrate same-sex weddings if they cannot do so in good conscience.
- State employees cannot be fired for expressing their beliefs about marriage outside the office, and individual state clerks can opt out of issuing marriage licenses so long as no valid marriage license is delayed or impeded.
- Counselors and surgeons cannot be required to participate in gender identity transitioning or sex-reassignment surgeries against their faith and convictions, while guaranteeing that no one is denied emergency care or visiting rights.
- Private businesses and schools, not bureaucrats, get to set their own bathroom, shower, and locker room policies.
In response, the ACLU filed a law suit (what a surprise) -- not over an injustice caused by the law, but by what might happen if Christians don't participate in events or jobs that violate their conscience. A lower court judge ruled in their favor, attempting to prevent the law from going into effect.
The case was then taken to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, where the panel unanimously overturned the lower court's decision on Thursday, upholding the law!
This is a huge win for all Christians. Other states, especially my state of Louisiana, and the federal government should move quickly to pass similar laws protecting religious dissenters to same-sex marriage.
This is a great law. It enables peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic, free society. On the one hand, gay people have the freedom to get married. On the other hand, Christians have the right to exercise their religion. Homosexuality and gay marriage and transgenderism are offensive to Christians. This belief is offensive to homosexuals and transgenders. But there's no law that protects people from getting their feelings hurt. We're not Canada yet! Believe what you want to believe, do what you want to do, but don't punish me for being critical or for refusing to participate.
Read more about this story:
- Circuit Court Win for Religious Freedom on Gay Marriage, by Ryan T. Anderson, The Daily Signal
- The Fifth's Commandment: Let Religious Liberty Stand, by Tony Perkins, Family Research Council
Comments
Post a Comment