For those who are reacting so negatively to the Indiana religious freedom law, do you not realize what you are saying (even if not explicitly)? You are saying that people should not have the right to live out their own religious convictions and follow their own conscience. Read that sentence again. Say it out loud. You are saying we should deny these American citizens a Constitutional right that is 200+ years old so that we can uphold these new same-sex marriage rights that are less than 10 years old and nowhere to be found in the Constitution. You would deny American citizens a basic human right (the free exercise of religion and conscience) in favor of a right we just made up a few years ago.
I find it ironic how those who just wanted tolerance are now demanding acceptance at any cost, using the threat of law to silence or penalize anyone who disagrees with them. Those preaching tolerance are not willing to tolerate anyone that does not agree with them. Think about it. Gay couples who want to get married can easily find florists, photographers, and bakers who are willing to provide their services for same-sex weddings. But that’s not good enough. If even one florist doesn’t want to participate due to their religious convictions and conscience, the tolerant ones turn to the law to force them to violate their own religious convictions or pay the price. To ensure that everyone agrees with them regarding their right to any flowers from any florist they choose, they are willing to deprive other people of their basic right to the free exercise of religion and the freedom of conscience. Even though they can get the needed wedding services from the many individuals who support same-sex marriage, in their tolerant frenzy they choose to force every person in the wedding industry with a moral objection to same-sex marriage out of a job.
The religious protection law in Indiana is true tolerance and makes it a win-win situation for everyone. Gay couples can still find business owners willing to provide their services for their same-sex wedding, and business owners who cannot provide their services in good conscience can kindly decline. But no. Those who oppose the law want to make sure that it’s a win-lose situation, in which everyone that will not violate their conscience must lose, and ultimately be forced to find another career. How tolerant of them.
Update: It appears that Indiana is caving to public pressure and will gut the bill so that it will not protect the very people it seems to have been originally designed to protect. Given these changes, I have to wonder what the bill even does now. It appears to be a shark without teeth.
Thinking to Believe 
April 1, 2015 at 2:35 am
I wholeheartedly agree, Jason. This makes me very concerned for the future of outspoken Christians in America.
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April 1, 2015 at 3:47 am
This makes me veryconcerned for the most basic human rights of every citizen in the USA, not just Christians. This degree of persecution will harm everyone.
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April 1, 2015 at 8:37 am
Full disclosure – I am an Apple stock owner
Tim Cook is a bit hypocritical. Apple will not let legal company’s – or individuals – who are in the Adult industry, to offer their “apps” to be sold in Apple’s App Store. How can Tim Cook’s Apple Inc discriminate against an LGBT legal adult industry company from offering “services” through Apple’s IOS?
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April 1, 2015 at 8:45 am
Adult industry desiring Apple App Store services need not apply.
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April 7, 2015 at 1:10 am
[…] light of my recent post regarding religious freedom, Lowder with Chowder has a great video talking about this issue. He illustrates it by showing […]
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April 9, 2015 at 11:12 am
By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A majority of Americans believe businesses should not be allowed to refuse services based on their religious beliefs in the wake of controversies in Indiana and Arkansas over gay rights and religious freedom, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found on Thursday.
The poll, conducted April 6 to 8, also found that 52 percent of Americans support allowing same-sex couples to marry, far more than the 32 percent who oppose it. See link for full poll results:
http://news.yahoo.com/most-americans-side-gays-religious-freedom-disputes-reuters-050235522.html
THE TAKEAWAY: Defeat and Demise of Delusion.
When the general public in America sides with Gays against Religion shows just how vulnerable Religon is in our society, how religion is losing the battle on every front and how the sculptured myth of the supernatural idol is slowly and steadily being chipped into disintegration. Long Live Secularism, Reality and Common Sense.
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April 9, 2015 at 7:07 pm
THE TAKEAWAY:
President Obama moves to end conversion therapies for LGBT youth….
In a move that further solidifies the White House’s stance on gay marriage and LGBTQ civil liberties, President Obama is calling for an end to what’s known as gay and transgender conversion therapies. This comes just a few months after a 17-year-old transgender teen, Lellah Alcorn, took her own life after writing an online suicide note, which included references to how religious therapists attempted to change her back to being a boy. In a statement posted Wednesday night on a WhiteHouse.gov petition in memory of Leelah, The White House stated, “We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer youth. … As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.”
Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga spoke to James Guay, who went through many years of gay conversion therapy at his church.
Regarding the president’s statement, Guay says, “It’s a beautiful statement of appreciating all of our genuine ways of being. The more authentic we can be in the world, the better society we are. We need to support LGBTQ youth and adults and protect them from fraudulent and damaging practices like conversion therapy.”
And Guay does believe that religion plays a part. He said most, if not all, people who feel pressure to undergo conversion therapy do have some religious affiliation, but he says it’s important to recognize there are plenty of inviting churches and synagogues that welcome LGBTQ members.
“One of the things I’d like to convey is even Republicans are in support of banning this conversion therapy because it’s just so harmful and fraudulent and hurtful,” said Guay.
Asked how prevalent he thinks conversion therapy is in 2015, Guay said, “It’s prevalent in the sense that there is a lot of dialogue in churches that they want LGBT people to change.”
Only California and New Jersey along with the District of Columbia ban therapists from practicing conversion therapy with LGBTQ youth. But just this year, an additional 18 states have introduced legislation that would ban the controversial practice.
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