Indiana Religious Liberties law....

Bentleyspop

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/03/26/gay-rights-groups-criticize-indiana-religious-liberties-law/

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a religious liberties bill into law Thursday that has been criticized by gay rights groups as a “license to discriminate.”

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act will prevent state and local governments from imposing a “substantial burden” on a person’s free exercise of religion, unless the government can prove that there is a compelling reason to do so. It mirrors a federal law enacted in 1993, and similar statutes on the books in 19 states.

But critics say it could pave the way for open discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender people, giving business owners, landlords and others the right to refuse service to gays under the guise of religious protection.

The act is similar to a bill that came under fire last year in Arizona. The governor at the time, Jan Brewer, ultimately vetoed the legislation under intense pressure from businesses, fellow Republican lawmakers and the National Football League. But on Thursday, Pence praised the law as an important measure to protect people of faith in Indiana.

[Related: How Apple, the NFL and other big businesses helped kill the Arizona bill]

“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 in a statement, adding that it will “ensure that Indiana will continue to be a place where we respect freedom of religion.”

The move prompted an immediate backlash from some members of the business community and the NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis. “We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees,” NCAA President Mark Emmert wrote in a statement.

The chief executive of Salesforce and a co-founder of PayPal also criticized the law via Twitter, with the former company suggesting that it will reduce its business in the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union called the measure retribution after a federal judge struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban last year.

rr165892

Can't we move past all this nonsense.
Live and let live.

The same freedoms afforded to those seeking religious freedoms should be exactly the same as the ones offered to those who live an alternate lifestyle.Why should one belief carry more weight then the others.Stupido.

I mean it is Indiana.......

Drowned Out

rr165892 said:

Can't we move past all this nonsense.
Live and let live.

The same freedoms afforded to those seeking religious freedoms should be exactly the same as the ones offered to those who choose an alternate lifestyle.Why does one belief carry more weight then the other.Stupido.

I mean it is Indiana.......

I agree....except it's not a choice, or belief, or a lifestyle anymore than being hetero is a choice or belief or lifestyle.

Kat

I thought of this when I learned of this law. It just reminded me of it.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...

PJ_Soul

rr165892 said:

Can't we move past all this nonsense.
Live and let live.

The same freedoms afforded to those seeking religious freedoms should be exactly the same as the ones offered to those who choose an alternate lifestyle.Why does one belief carry more weight then the other.Stupido.

I mean it is Indiana.......

It's not a choice.
There is no difference between refusing service to a gay person because they're gay and refusing it to a black person because of the colour of their skin.

rr165892

Drowned-Pj Choose was a poor choice of words I Agrree its not a choice.U got the jist though.Equality is where I was going.
I've removed the coose word from above post-Damn word police around here.

jeffbr

Is there anything in this Indiana law that prohibits racial discrimination based on religious beliefs? If Indiana wants to turn back the clock on progress, I hope they're punished for it economically.

Last-12-Exit

This law is unbelievable. This certainly does pave the way for legal discrimination.

Last-12-Exit

It will only be a matter of time before the KKK pops its head up in Indiana again. Don't be surprised when racists start using this law.

jeffbr

Last-12-Exit said:

It will only be a matter of time before the KKK pops its head up in Indiana again. Don't be surprised when racists start using this law.

Exactly. And I really hope it happens soon. I'd like there to be a blatant example of racial discrimination demonstrated by this law so that the people of Indiana see that this isn't about religious freedom at all, it is about legalized discrimination - the very thing Pence assured everyone was not the case.

rr165892

I would like to see the NFL say no more combine or Super Bowls,like they threatened in AZ.Money Talks!

Last-12-Exit

rr165892 said:

I would like to see the NFL say no more combine or Super Bowls,like they threatened in AZ.Money Talks!

Ha! Indiana doesn't give a fuck about the Colts!

Bentleyspop

Look for this law or something like it coming to a state near you soon

WhatYouTaughtMe

Bentleyspop said:

Look for this law or something like it coming to a state near you soon

I disliked Jan Brewer but was very proud of her and surprised when she shot a similar law down in AZ.

Edit - shouldn't say proud of her. It's something any decent person should've done.

Last-12-Exit

I can't imagine the Indiana supreme court upholding this law.

BS44325

I hate this law as well but what I cannot understand are people who want to boycott Indiana while at the same time seek to make deals with Iran. One of those places actually hangs gays as a matter of pride. Let's try to fight both with equal vigor.

Drowned Out

Fuckin A. Let's send the military into Indiana and overthrow their government.
So apples to oranges. Nice try tho

BS44325

Yeah...you're right...my bad. Let's put sanctions on Indiana but let's lift them on Iran.

Jason P

Last-12-Exit said:

rr165892 said:

I would like to see the NFL say no more combine or Super Bowls,like they threatened in AZ.Money Talks!

Ha! Indiana doesn't give a fuck about the Colts!

You know nothing, Jon Snow.

Jason P

The one good thing about this is that Pence pretty just much set his hut on fire. He is the reason I voted for this guy to be my governor ...

backseatLover12

jeffbr said:

Last-12-Exit said:

It will only be a matter of time before the KKK pops its head up in Indiana again. Don't be surprised when racists start using this law.

Exactly. And I really hope it happens soon. I'd like there to be a blatant example of racial discrimination demonstrated by this law so that the people of Indiana see that this isn't about religious freedom at all, it is about legalized discrimination - the very thing Pence assured everyone was not the case.

Racial discrimination already legally exists. Just ask the Feguson PD, NYPD, Chicago PD, Cleveland PD, LAPD,St. Louis PD, Albuquerque PD, Minneapolis PD, Boston PD, etc. etc.

http://economics.ucr.edu/seminars_colloquia/2006/political_economy_development/KateAntonovics4-10-2006.pdf
http://www.nyclu.org/issues/racial-justice/stop-and-frisk-practices
https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-free-speech-immigrants-rights-technology-and-liberty/we-need-move-beyond-fr

And Indianapolis PDhttp://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/opinion/article_3391d4ff-1c4b-5d04-a260-3157dc1afef4.html

Can't we move past all this nonsense.
Live and let live

Interesting choice of words, rr.
Especially after your stance in the Wisconsin thread.