“Religious Restoration” Acts – Not Just About The Gays!

[beam me up scottie]

From the Awkward Moments Children's Bible website (thanks PeaceNikki!):

“Religious Restoration” Acts – Not Just About The Gays!




I feel like I must be missing something.

With the latest “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” being signed into Indiana law by Governor Mike Pence yesterday, I feel like much of the media and blogosphere is losing sight of the true absurdity of these “discrimination” laws that keep popping up around the country. In short, they aren’t only about giving Christians the right to refuse service to homosexuals because of their religious beliefs (devoutly religious bakers, dressmakers, or photographers being forced by the government to provide services to gay couples getting married because… Jesus). In fact, in the case of Indiana – the text of the bill never mentions Christianity or homosexuals. Not once.

Instead, the irony of all of these “Religious Freedom Discrimination” bills (like those in various stages in Arizona and Michigan) is that they open a can of worms – inviting ANYBODY to refuse service to ANYONE that is at odds with their “freedom of religious practice.”

Yes, generally speaking, that means that it goes both ways. All ways, really. It is not only the gay community that should be nervous…

A Muslim could refuse service to a Christian because of their blasphemy of Mohammed
A Jew could refuse service to a Palestinian because of the disputes in Gaza
A Scientologist could deny a Buddhist because of their e-meter readings
A Christian could refuse service to an atheist because… (choose any reason)
A Hindu could refuse service to a cattle rancher because… cows!

Absurd enough yet? Let’s go on…

A Catholic could refuse a Protestant
A Baptist could refuse a Lutheran
A Presbyterian could refuse a Methodist

There are literally thousands of Christian denominations that all disagree on something. Need I go on?!?!?!

The best part is – all of this blatant divisiveness would not only be invited by, but protected by the government!

...

If the religious majority of Christian voters and legislators in these states truly want more division and hostility, I say – be careful what you wish for. Unfortunately, when rational people oppose such blatant discrimination and division eventually stand up against these voters, legislators, and businesses – what tends to happen? That’s right – more “persecution” of the poor Christians! (It’s almost as if that was the strategic objective all along.)

He's right, if they ultimately fail to legalize discrimination it will be just another example of how libruls (the same ones who are viciously attacking defenseless traditional marriage) are ruining this country at the expense of decent christian citizens.

Because it's their country.

And they need to take it back.

From freedom haters.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. Under most of these laws

If I owned a lunch counter, I could refuse service to a person of color by claiming that black people eating in the same place as white people violates my "religious convictions".

[beam me up scottie]

4. And they're well aware of that.

I'm sure it would just be an added bonus for the racists.

[Tobin S.]

2. As if it weren't bad enough already living in Indiana

Last edited Fri Mar 27, 2015, 09:38 PM - Edit history (1)

My wife and I were already kind of embarrassed by our politicians, now we are downright ashamed.

[beam me up scottie]

5. Join the club.

I live in Tennessee and I know exactly how you feel.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

6. In my state (Idaho), even the batshit insane conservatives killed a similar bill

I guess that's a plus to a state full of Ayn Rand libertarian type conservatives rather than full on nutso religious conservatives (although we have a fair amount of those as well).

[beam me up scottie]

8. I almost married a cowboy from Idaho.

Met him in the service and I was tempted to move there, it's a beautiful state.

And yeah, there's a special kind of lunacy reserved for southern/mid-western states and their politicians.

[Brainstormy]

9. I live in Georgia.

You guys don't EVEN know.

[beam me up scottie]

12. Are you a native?

I'm originally from one of the most progressive states and after being here only a few years I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to grow up liberal in the bible belt.

My hat's off to anyone who's been able to stand up to the troglodytes their entire life.

[Brainstormy]

17. not a native

but been here since the 70s. As for standing up to the trogs, I avoid local news, use groups like this and Georgia Democrats and have a few liberal friends. Still, it can be difficult. It won't be this way forever, tho. Georgia won't be blue the next presidential election, but I'm betting by the next one it will.

[beam me up scottie]

19. I hope you're right.

Georgia has a better chance than any other state.

[onager]

18. Just moved right next door to SC

Howdy, neighbor!



Grew up here, but I'd forgotten how batshit-crazy the South can be.

e.g., the other day, I stopped at a gas station to buy a soda:

CLERK: "How are you today?"
ME: "Fine, how are you?"
CLERK: "BLESSED!!!"

He takes my money, gives me my change and as I'm walking out: "Have a BLESSED day!"

Not the only time I've had that happen. One of these days, when some chucklehead starts the "BLESSED!" crap, I may respond with a cheery "Allah akhbar!"

Nah, not really. I have to keep reminding myself that the locals don't have a very good sense of humor about religion...

[Curmudgeoness]

3. It could even be worse than that.

We could end up with another legal discrimination against blacks, because.....Ham was cursed.

Or legal discrimination against women, because.....women.

And all you have to do is look at the Muslims in places like Iraq, with the constant battle between Sunni and Shia to see where this could go.

[beam me up scottie]

7. I'm sure it will be.

No doubt bigots of all stripes are salivating at the thought of finally having the "freedom" to withhold service to anyone they consider unworthy.

[bvf]

10. Hit 'em where it hurts--right in the pocketbook.

Hoping here that Indiana suffers a HUGE economic boycott because of this hateful idiocy.

[beam me up scottie]

14. Even that will only make them dig in their heels.

Like the op said: "when rational people oppose such blatant discrimination and division eventually stand up against these voters, legislators, and businesses – what tends to happen? That's right – more “persecution” of the poor Christians! (It’s almost as if that was the strategic objective all along.)"

[bvf]

15. Missed that the first time around.

But a good point.

Religion offers a great excuse for holding narrow, bigoted, irrational viewpoints, does it not?

[beam me up scottie]

16. It's almost like it was invented for it.

[AlbertCat]

11. "We could end up with another legal discrimination against blacks, "

Which brings up this point:

Why was it illegal to discriminate in the 1st place?


Because WE'VE BEEN THRU ALL OF THIS BEFORE!!!!!!

And we eliminated it. (well, on the books anyway)

All of this is already unconstitutional.

But lawyers are gonna make a FORTUNE!

[beam me up scottie]

13. But don't you see, Albert,

many of the people who are so eager to deny lgbt people their constitutional rights are also die hard racists.

These people are still smarting from the shellacking they took in the 60's. Hell, some of them in the south are still pissed they were beaten by the Yanks (I am not making this up, many of mr bmus' coworkers actually call us northerners by that name - like that's a bad thing).

That's what those voter i.d. laws are all about, they want to find a way to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Just ask Rand Paul.

You're right about the lawyers, it's just too bad that we have to keep fighting so hard for the most basic of rights.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. "All of this is already unconstitutional."

That is a misconception. What is unconstitutional is for governments to discriminate, as per Brown v Little Rock Board of Education.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_v._Board_of_Education

The rest of it is not a constitutional issue. Discrimination outside of government institutions is prohibited by the civil rights act of 1965, by the fair housing act of 1968, by the voting rights act recently gutted by the supreme court, and by various federal rules and regulations (e.g. title IX). These laws apply to specific types of discrimination in specific areas of society. They all can be undone by new laws or by states pushing shit like Indiana's RFRA and forcing our dubious SCOTUS to make a decision over the conflict between federal law and state constitutions.

The egalitarian society that was the legacy of the last burst of reform for the New Deal era under LBJ is not cast in concrete nor in constitutional law. It is under attack by the very well financed and coordinated forces on the right, and they intend to win.

[PeaceNikki]

20. But, but, but the INTENT is merely to discriminate against and restrict the rights of WOMEN, so

chill the fuck out everyone!!

[beam me up scottie]

23. We're still fighting tooth and claw for our right to safe legal medical procedures.

Not to mention unfettered access to birth control.

Because of good christians who care so much about women.

The same christians who want us to be terrified of muslims because they'll take over our country and impose Sharia law if they're not stopped.

[onager]

22. A happy Easter thought!

From the great American freethinker Robert G. Ingersoll, in his "Some Mistakes of Moses:"

The liberty of man is not safe in the hands of any church. Wherever the Bible and sword are in partnership, man is a slave.

All laws for the purpose of making man worship God, are born of the same spirit that kindled the fires of the auto-da-fe, and lovingly built the dungeons of the Inquisition.

All laws defining and punishing blasphemy -- making it a crime to give your honest ideas about the Bible, or to laugh at the ignorance of the ancient Jews, or to enjoy yourself on the Sabbath, or to give your opinion of Jehovah, were passed by impudent bigots, and should be at once repealed by honest men.

An infinite God ought to be able to protect himself, without going in partnership with State Legislatures.

Certainly he ought not so to act that laws become necessary to keep him from being laughed at. No one thinks of protecting Shakespeare from ridicule, by the threat of fine and imprisonment.

[beam me up scottie]

24. Another great man.

Who, if he were alive today, would no doubt be slandered by apologists who'd brand him a Gnu Athiest!!1! and slander his good name.

One of my favourites (and coincidentally addressed to the Indianapolis clergy):

Our civilization is not Christian. It does not come from the skies. It is not a result of "inspiration." It is the child of invention, of discovery, of applied knowledge -- that is to say, of science. When man becomes great and grand enough to admit that all have equal rights; when thought is untrammeled; when worship shall consist in doing useful things; when religion means the discharge of obligations to our fellow-men, then, and not until then, will the world be civilized.

-- Robert Green Ingersoll, "Reply To The Indianapolis Clergy" The Iconoclast, Indianapolis, Indiana (1882)