Indiana Protects Religious Liberty. Why That’s Good Policy.
In a victory for religious freedom, earlier today Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., signed into law the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is good policy that protects the fundamental freedom of Indiana citizens from unnecessary and unreasonable government coercion.
The Indiana law is based on the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Acta law that has served the American people well for more than 20 years. Passed with 97 votes in the Senate and by unanimous voice vote in the House, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton. This federal law prohibits substantial government burdens on religious exercise unless the government can show a compelling interest in burdening religious liberty and does so through the least restrictive means.
No one has the right to have the government force a particular minister to marry them , or a certain photographer to capture the first kiss or a baker to bake the wedding cake.
These protections for religious freedom, like the one passed in Indiana, provide a commonsense way to balance the fundamental right to religious liberty with compelling government interests. The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects against federal government violations of religious liberty, and state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts protect against state violations.
By passing its Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Indiana joins the 19 other states that have implemented such laws. Eleven additional states have religious liberty protections that state courts have interpreted to provide a similar level of protection. These commonsense laws place the onus on the government to justify its actions in burdening the free exercise of religion.
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What a fucking misnomer,Religious Freedom Restoration Act. If one thing will bring us into Orwellian times, it is the doublespeak of religious zealots out to make sure their brand of quackery is pushed to the forefront of the conversation.
I think that any mention of religion or god or any of the other fairy princesses that the deluded masses have chosen to use as their touchstone of morality should be stricken from any law, code or official document of any government.
Guess y'all are glad I'm not the Emperor (Especially when I wear my new suit) :D
Or anyone else...
''Protects religious liberty''!!!! What nonsense, it's a bill to protect businesses. Now they can deny service to gays.
You are correct. Every state should have its own RFRA.