Nick Nakashian
October 26 2014
Class Participation
A recent story by statesmen.com, writes that American religious freedom is under attack, however the freedom that is discussed is not the freedom that many think of. Due to many changing laws around the country regarding same-sex couples and gender identity, some states have added bars against discrimination regarding sexuality and gender identity. For example the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed last spring bars public business against discrimination related to an individuals race, religion or gender.
However, critics of this ordinance and others like it protest that their religious freedoms are under attack, and this is where the controversy arises. Those that oppose believe it is a violation of their religious right for the state to order them to provide same-sex couples if their religious beliefs say they should. It is argues that an owner if a public business who practices a religion that does not support or recognize same-sex couples or those that identify with the opposite gender, should not be forced to provide those customers with their services. This, the protesters argue, is a violation of their religious freedom. However, on the counter attack, those that support similar ordinances use civil rights legislation, as an example of that would be considered meaningless if people agree with those that oppose the ordinances.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/opinion/miller-what-is-the-real-threat-to-religious-freedo/nhtC8/
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