The majority of the world’s faiths (not religions, they are man-based) believe that homosexuality is a sin and that marriage is the union between men and women (though some faiths do believe in polygamy). A significant reason for the settling and ultimate creation of our nation was due to religious intolerance in the settler’s native countries. Hence, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of religious freedom to all.
Now, since the recent passage of legislation in Indiana that merely restates the First Amendment, i.e., supporting religious freedom, the mayor of Seattle is halting business travel to Indiana, and the former UW President, Mark Emmert, now head of the NCAA, is talking about the NCAA, headquartered there, leaving the state as a result. Interestingly, both Mayor Murray’s and President Emmert’s actions to restrict business because of Indiana’s state law likely violate federal trade laws.
The First Amendment has been around for well over 200 years and its existence is no secret. Why is this issue arising now? I submit that it is merely a way to force acknowledgement of a historically deviant (based on biological, cultural and religious norms) lifestyle on those whose faith rebukes it. To wit, a florist in our state was recently prosecuted because she refused service to a gay couple getting married, a lifestyle/action that violated the florist’s religious beliefs and is protected by her First Amendment rights, not discrimination. Where is the ACLU in all of this?
We haven’t heard the last of this.
David Martson
Marysville
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