By Dan Calabrese ——Bio and Archives--April 23, 2015
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In 2010, Louisiana adopted a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prohibits government from unduly burdening a person’s exercise of religion. However, given the changing positions of politicians, judges and the public in favor of same-sex marriage, along with the potential for discrimination against Christian individuals and businesses that comes with these shifts, I plan in this legislative session to fight for passage of the Marriage and Conscience Act. The legislation would prohibit the state from denying a person, company or nonprofit group a license, accreditation, employment or contract — or taking other “adverse action” — based on the person or entity’s religious views on the institution of marriage. Some corporations have already contacted me and asked me to oppose this law. I am certain that other companies, under pressure from radical liberals, will do the same. They are free to voice their opinions, but they will not deter me. As a nation we would not compel a priest, minister or rabbi to violate his conscience and perform a same-sex wedding ceremony. But a great many Americans who are not members of the clergy feel just as called to live their faith through their businesses. That’s why we should ensure that musicians, caterers, photographers and others should be immune from government coercion on deeply held religious convictions. The bill does not, as opponents assert, create a right to discriminate against, or generally refuse service to, gay men or lesbians. The bill does not change anything as it relates to the law in terms of discrimination suits between private parties. It merely makes our constitutional freedom so well defined that no judge can miss it.There is essentially no difference between what Jindal describes here and what the original Indiana and Arkansas laws were designed to do. If anything, Jindal just explains it better. He also challenges conservatives to stop being such cowards in the face of liberal/media pressure on issues like this - pointing out that the left consistently loses at the ballot box in state elections, and yet Republicans govern as if they're terrified to do anything that the left won't like. That is all about the loudest and angriest people getting their way simply by refusing to let anyone have any peace until they do. The Indiana business weenies weren't really concerned about "appearing welcoming" or whatever nonsense they said. They were concerned about constant upheaval and negative publicity. What Jindal understands is that you treat the radical gay mob the same way you treat a bully on the schoolyard: You stand up to them. You refuse to be intimidated. And you counter their lies. No matter how many times they repeat the falsehood, RFRAs do not give anyone license to discriminate. They just give you the right to decline participation in something that violates your faith, without being forced by the state to be part of it. These laws are not merely justified. They are badly needed. Three cheers to Bobby Jindal for not only recognizing that, but for standing firm in the face of pressure that brought other Republican governors to their knees.
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