Indiana's New Law

Thank you for your argument. Let me just point out the quote my opponent poster is simply saying in fancy terms that a system of values and core religious beliefs can dictate what a person does on a daily basis. So for example, if you are Anglican, but you don't feel right photographing a gay wedding, they can't just say "well, Anglicanism says that is ok, so we'll hold you to it as ok". It just specifies that a person is allowed to live his or her life through their set of values, which is something we have. And by the way, we can't misinterpret the bible. That is not part of it at all. See paragraph 3 for this. The first amendment clearly states : "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech...". Now, let's first consider that this is the FIRST amendment and clearly was on the founding fathers minds during the consitutional convention. No law in the United states is allowed to contradict this amendment unless we should overturn it. It CLEARLY states here that, while the government can recognize no religion, it is not allowed to prohibit the free exercise thereof. Also, every person is entitled to free speech with what they say. Considering that, let's also note that your example is incorrect. We have laws in this country that prohibit discrimination against race. So if you were to refuse to serve a Mexican man, he could easily file a lawsuit and win, as that is protected. You couldn't justify it by misinterpreting the bible also. You have to understand all it is saying is that if it requires you to do something that goes against essentially your ethics, you don't have to do it. Again, races are protected. Now lets clarify about what this allows people in Indiana to do. You cannot refuse someone service because they look different than you. The best example I can think of now is if you are gay and go to a photography company to photograph your wedding, they aren't forced to do it. We have seen this before, where the company usually loses and is either forced to do it or given sensitivity training or something meant to indoctrinate them and weed out beliefs considered "inferior". And also, if you're a gay person in a store. If you act and dress normal, no one will think anything of you, no matter what their beliefs are. Two gay guys making out in a chickfila (for example) should, in my opinion, expect to be kicked out. This is NOT A LAW THAT ALLOWS DISCRIMINATION. That is the underlying tone. All it really means is you can live your life with your own beliefs. Gay right activists are pushing to force america and all people to accept their information no matter what you believe, and if you don't you're a bigot who doesn't accept anyone. People, we are becoming the Soviet Union, where you could have a religion and worship, but not display it in any way in public. This is our right as people of a free country not to be indoctrinated and forced to accept information we don't accept. So trying to stifle and put down out 200+ year old liberty is not only oppressively limiting the rights our consitution clearly says we have, but also forcing a certain belief upon a society that wants to decide for itself.