Religious liberty bill passes Georgia state legislature

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Religious liberty bill passes Georgia state legislature

Reuters
By Rich McKay
2 hours ago

ATLANTA (Reuters) - A religious freedom bill described by opponents as being discriminatory against same-sex couples passed the Georgia state legislature on Wednesday night in an 11th hour vote ahead of the session's close.

. . .

Similar bills in states like Indiana and Arkansas sparked storms of criticism last year, forcing many lawmakers to retreat from the provisions.

. . .

The Georgia bill, reworked several times by lawmakers amid criticism that earlier versions went too far, declares that no pastor can be forced to perform a same-sex wedding.

The bill also grants faith-based organizations – churches, religious schools or associations - the right to reject holding events for people or groups of whom they object. Faith-based groups also could not be forced to hire or retain an employee whose beliefs run counter to the organization's.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/religious-liberty-bill-passes-georgia-state-legislature-025501243.html

[Kip Humphrey]

1. Otherwise known as the Religious Bigotry Liberty Bill

[elljay]

2. Christianity has been saved! n/t

[C Moon]

3. I said Georgia, oh Georgia. No peace I find.

[YOHABLO]

4. Screw their damn bill. The LGBT community doesn't give shit.

These churches can all go to hell. Holier than thou are they? They have pea shit for brains. Oh, and so do the legislators who said yes on this ridiculous bill.

[Blue Dalek]

10. Agreed! All of them can go straight (straight-ha ha!) to hell.

[progree]

5. Why does the filthy fucking media call it "religious freedom"??? and "religious liberty"???

when it is religious discrimination against other religions and belief systems.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: ‘Religious liberty’ bill passes Georgia Legislature

‘Religious liberty’ bill passes Georgia Legislature

 9:36 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Aaron Gould Sheinin and Kristina Torres
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Georgia Legislature over the course of a few hours Wednesday unveiled changes to a controversial “religious liberty” bill and gave it final passage, setting off a collision course with corporate leaders and gay rights advocates over charges that it would legalize discrimination in Georgia.

House Bill 757 now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature to become law, a culmination of two years of debate, attacks, counter-attacks and emotional speeches from both supporters and opponents.

When introduced early this year, the bill originally promised pastors they could not be forced to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony. The Senate, however, added language last month that would have allowed faith-based organizations and individuals to opt out of serving couples — gay or straight — or following anti-discrimination requirements if they cited a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction regarding marriage.

The changes unveiled Wednesday made more changes after both Gov. Nathan Deal and House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, objected to the Senate version. While the bill still says no pastor can be forced to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony, it adds language that says no individual can be forced to attend one.

More:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/religious-liberty-bill-could-get-surprise-vote-wed/nqmkF/

[moose65]

9. Did I read that right?

"No individual can be forced to attend a same-sex wedding"???

This is the very definition of a solution in search of a problem!! I must have missed the hordes of gay people who are forcing people to attend their weddings!

[Judi Lynn]

7. ​Georgia's "religious liberty law" stirs backlash from business

By/ Aimee Picchi/ MoneyWatch/ March 16, 2016, 9:32 AM

​Georgia's "religious liberty law" stirs backlash from business


Last Updated Mar 16, 2016 12:32 PM EDT

While Georgia is known for peaches and pecans, some business leaders are warning that the state may become better known for a controversial bill that would allow discrimination against gay people.

The bill, which has passed Georgia's House and Senate, would prohibit "any adverse action" against organizations or people with "a sincerely held religious believe regarding lawful marriage between ... a man and a woman. Billed by supporters as a "religious freedom" law, the legislation has drawn concern from a number of businesses that say it will hurt the state and make it less competitive on several fronts.

One such business is telecommunications firm 373K, which was founded by engineer and developer Kelvin Williams. His company is planning to move to another state -- possibly Delaware or Nevada -- because of the bill, which he worries would make it more difficult to recruit workers.

"For the past year we've been building a global carrier network. We have to start hiring more," Williams said. "I can't always find the perfect person in Georgia. I might have to reach out across the world. Would I want to move to Georgia if someone else offered me a job after this? The answer was no."

More:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgias-religious-liberty-law-stirs-backlash-from-business/

[Ilsa]

8. Pastors aren't required to marry people on demand, anyway.

Some of this is just nonsense. The rest is codified bigotry and discrimination.

People need to learn to separate their personal beliefs from work.