Indiana Gov Signs Religious Freedom Law, Could Discriminate Against LGBT

[Straight Shooter]

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 could allow discrimination against gay 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. 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.

Reaction to the decision was swift and divided.

Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter praised the new law, saying it would give abortion opponents legal recourse if they are pressured to support the procedure. The organization circulated an online petition to thank Pence for signing the bill.

Freedom Indiana, which led last year’s successful fight against efforts to add a gay marriage ban to the state constitution, called it “a sad day for Indiana,” saying Pence and lawmakers ignored concerns of thousands of Indiana residents.

“We made it clear that this law will only be used to harm other Hoosiers, and that’s not the Indiana way. The lawmakers didn’t listen. The governor didn’t listen,” the group said in a statement.

At least two groups — the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Gen Con — have said they would reconsider plans to hold their conventions in Indianapolis because of the legislation. The CEO of California technology company Salesforce told the Indianapolis Business Journal his company would reduce its investment in the state because of the law.

Supporters say discrimination concerns are overblown and that the Indiana measure merely seeks to prevent the government from compelling people to provide such things as catering or photography for same-sex weddings or other activities they find objectionable on religious grounds. They note that the law is modeled after a federal religious freedom law Congress passed in 1993 and similar laws are on the books in 19 states.

“This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it,” Pence said. “For more than 20 years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation’s anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana.”

However, the current political climate is far different than it was when most of those were approved because the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this year on whether gay marriage bans violate the Constitution.

The Indianapolis chamber of commerce and Columbus-based engine maker Cummins Inc. are among business groups that have opposed the bill on the grounds that it could make it more difficult to attract top companies and employees.

Similar bills have been advancing this year in the Arkansas and Georgia legislatures. Last year, Mississippi enacted a religious objection law just weeks after Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, vetoed a similar effort there amid criticism from major corporations.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/politic...ov-mike-pence-signs-religious-objections-bill

They won't serve gays and lesbians but they'll serve the adulterers, divorcees and people having premarital sex. Those sins are ok

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

You do realize this is a copy of a FEDERAL LAW introduced by Chuck U. Schumer and signed into law by Slick Willie in 1993, right? And this re-definition is less about gay/transtesticles or any other group and more about broadening the protection of business practices of PRIVATE individuals. This is just another liberal power grab.

 

[Straight Shooter]

You do realize this is a copy of a FEDERAL LAW introduced by Chuck U. Schumer and signed into law by Slick Willie in 1993, right? And this re-definition is less about gay/transtesticles or any other group and more about broadening the protection of business practices of PRIVATE individuals. This is just another liberal power grab.

There are several important differences in the Indiana bill but the most striking is Section 9. Under that section, a “person” (which under the law includes not only an individual but also any organization, partnership, LLC, corporation, company, firm, church, religious society, or other entity) whose “exercise of religion has been substantially burdened, or is likely to be substantially burdened” can use the law as “a claim or defense… regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity is a party to the proceeding. Every other Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to disputes between a person or entity and a government. Indiana’s is the only law that explicitly applies to disputes between private citizens

Also, before someone brings up the fact that Obama signed the same bill when he was a state senator in IL, the one in IL specifically prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The IN law does not use that wording. Big big difference

 

[sean miguel]

Just curious if it was labeled the Muslim Religious Freedom Law with the exact same provisions if it would be encountering the same opposition from the left.

Because islam doesn't approve of homosexuality either.

 

[Jagger69]

Forget the discriminatory or religious-freedom aspects of this argument....it's simply bad for business to trot something like this out in front-and-center style the way Pence did it. A number of states have similar legislation but Indiana is making a big deal out of it so they will pay the economic price as a result. Just stupid. Figures....they don't call them "Hoosiers" for nothing.

Besides the immediate reactions of Apple and the NCAA, here's an example....Indiana-based "Angie's List" is cancelling expansion plans due to this legislation:

http://www.indystar.com/story/money...t-canceling-eastside-expansion-rfra/70590738/

 

[Straight Shooter]

Just curious if it was labeled the Muslim Religious Freedom Law with the exact same provisions, if it would be encountering the same opposition from the left.

Because, islam doesn't approve of homosexuality either.

It's the religious freedom law so it applies to all religions. But just wait until a Muslim business owner refuses service to someone because it goes against their religious beliefs. People are going to lose their shit when that happens

 

[sean miguel]

It's the religious freedom law so it applies to all religions. But just wait until a Muslim business owner refuses service to someone because it goes against their religious beliefs. People are going to lose their shit when that happens

Except the left, right? Kid gloves and all.

 

[sean miguel]

And I should point out, whereas american christians will say "you're going to hell," those in muslim countries will send you on your way.

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

This is a bullshit ploy by alleged victims to garner acceptance for their deviant lifestyles. How come this wasn't causing a stink in the 29 other states that enacted similar laws that broadened the scope of a federal law already on the books? Could it be that the media wants to distract people from the shitty candidates for president on both sides of the aisle by showing the public a shiny new toy to be up in arms about?

 

[sean miguel]

It's the left. They're very selective with their outrage. They know who their enemy is.

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

Yeah, Annie. I'd love to see some of the LGBT community and their sympathizers air dropped into Tehran or Riyadh. You'd see some REAL intolerance then.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Yeah, Annie. I'd love to see some of the LGBT community and their sympathizers air dropped into Tehran or Riyadh. You'd see some REAL intolerance then.

No disagreement there

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

When people use the force of government to deprive both individual business owners and the market who would decide naturally whether the business should succeed or fail of the opportunity to use their freedom to make choices that - regardless of how many people agree with them - someone else out there thinks are dumb. There is not a view point out there that has universal agreement (up to and including the earth orbiting the sun), so giving the government the power to punish people because a vocal minority (or even a vocal majority) of people don't like their choices is a very dangerous and tyrannical thing.

I don't think any of these businesses refused to serve gays in general. If gays wanted a cake for an office party, or some muffins to enjoy with their morning coffee...no problem. They just specifically refused to participate in a gay wedding. It's an important distinction.

I think everyone who fell for the lapdog media's attempt to distract us from............

 

[Jagger69]

This is a bullshit ploy by alleged victims to garner acceptance for their deviant lifestyles. How come this wasn't causing a stink in the 29 other states that enacted similar laws that broadened the scope of a federal law already on the books? Could it be that the media wants to distract people from the shitty candidates for president on both sides of the aisle by showing the public a shiny new toy to be up in arms about?

"deviant lifestyles"??? Wow....I wonder what sort of kinky shit you (and many others) are into surfing Freeones every day. Point is, it's irrelevant when it comes to everyone's right to the pursuit of happiness. It's none of anyone's Goddamn business. And to answer your question, it's causing a stink because Pence chose to make it a stink. And no, I don't think your media theory holds much water. Maybe you can do up another one of those cute little memes you are so prone to do to show how wrong I am? :dunno:

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

"deviant lifestyles"??? Wow....I wonder what sort of kinky shit you (and many others) are into surfing Freeones every day. Point is, it's irrelevant when it comes to everyone's right to the pursuit of happiness. It's none of anyone's Goddamn business. And to answer your question, it's causing a stink because Pence chose to make it a stink. And no, I don't think your media theory holds much water. Maybe you can do up another one of those cute little memes you are so prone to do to show how wrong I am? :dunno:

I have to admit I sometimes get turned on by things because they are wrong and not in spite of it. As one of the board's sweaty perverts I can't judge, access, or even identify deviant behavior. If I tried it would vary from year to year. I try not to judge my pudgy, porn-obsessed but virginal tenant who looks way too much like David Berkowitz. I make sure I'm the only one who barks at him on the property though.

 

[Straight Shooter]

"deviant lifestyles"??? Wow....I wonder what sort of kinky shit you (and many others) are into surfing Freeones every day. Point is, it's irrelevant when it comes to everyone's right to the pursuit of happiness. It's none of anyone's Goddamn business. And to answer your question, it's causing a stink because Pence chose to make it a stink. And no, I don't think your media theory holds much water. Maybe you can do up another one of those cute little memes you are so prone to do to show how wrong I am? :dunno:

:goodpost: I fucking love you Jagger

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

Show me where the law specifically targets homos.

 

[knowone]

If the Governor thought the bill was such a good idea why was the bill signing ceremony done in private? No public and NO press!