Indiana Passes Religious Freedom Bill SB 101

The wedding does not occur in the place of business. If you ask a restaurant to cater your wedding, then they have to be present at said wedding. You cannot force a religious person to participate in an event which offends their beliefs, and it's pretty intolerant to expect them to.

 

It isn't about business. It's about individual freedom. In case you hadn't noticed, all businesses are owned, and operated by, individuals. Individuals should not be subjected to performing tasks which offend their deeply help beliefs.

 

If marriage is only about being legally bound, then go to the courthouse, get married, and be done with it. While you're at it, don't go to a religious shop owner and ask them to cater your reception.

 

How do you not see how this protects people who want to practice religion? If someone asks you to do something that violates your religion, you can refuse to do that thing, and be protected against litigation!

 

Where is it written that the state must separate itself from the church? That isn't even a law. That isn't even in the US Constitution. Also, for the record, the "separation of church and state" is meant to prevent the establishment of a state religion, like the Church of England. It is meant to keep the state out of religion, not to keep religion out of the state.

There's no sign on a shop indicating if it's religious or not. So the "Don't go to a religious shop durr" argument is quite ludicrous to me. About the marriage being legally bound, people do go indeed in the courthouse, but what stops them from celebrating afterwards? That's what they do. So, I don't know how it works in the US, but here in France, if, let's say a caterer, is hired for the food of the buffet for a marriage, he just delivers the food and then he leaves. No one forces him to stay for the marriage, or the party, and thus, his beliefs aren't "violated" (which is a very bad word to use in this situation, it's more like "contradictory to your beliefs" but I'll pass on that). Someone asks for a wedding suit/dress for a gay marriage? Same, no reason to refuse, they won't assist to the marriage. A cake for a marriage? Why the confectioner would assist to the marriage?

A marriage (and the possible celebration/party following it) is always for people involved in it and invited people. Shop owners are not supposed to be present. Therefore, they have no reason to deny their services, since they have nothing personal to do with the said marriage.

As a side note, this is exactly my point. Religion SHOULD be kept out of state, just like state should be kept out of religion. You don't write and pass laws with religions. You pass laws with intelligence, rational logic and for the best for society. Allowing discrimination is not the best for society. In these times where people should stand united and see each other not as black/asian/white/gay/straight but as human beings, the only things politicians (and people following them) do is to divide the population even more, only to keep their attention away from more important problems. Divide and rule.

Edited April 11, 201511 yr by Hystery