Among my many get-rich-quick schemes, one of my favorites was this idea to get on the show "Survivor." Now, I had not planned to win the competition, after all, I'm a couch potato. My plan was to refuse to eat a bug or worm on the grounds that they're not Kosher, and sue when I got voted off for a First Amendment violation. Don't go trolling me with logic, I'm sure that the network would have had me sign a waiver before they considered me.
I bring this up because religious freedom is in the news these days. Particularly in Arizona, where it has been reported that the governor will veto SB1062, a bill that is billed as a protection of religious freedom. In the Wrong-wing to English dictionary, religious freedom means homophobia, much like states' rights means pro-slavery. Yes, if you display the "Stars and Bars," you are either ignorant or a racist pig. I leave the choice to you.
On "All In With Chris Hayes" Monday February, 24, one of the people who had voted for the bill and regretted his vote, told Chris that he just wanted to codify laws already on the books and he was against any discrimination. Yeah, right. wing.
Please follow me for an explanation.
One gay member of the Arizona legislature spoke on the floor before the vote. He said that this law would enable a taxi driver to refuse to pick him up. There are Christians who believe that Jews are sinful for not accepting Christ (disclosure, I'm Jewish). This law would allow that same taxi driver to refuse me service on religious grounds. Proponents of the law might say that would not happen, in which case they prove the point that it's all about teh gay.
There is already a religious freedom law on the books in every state, and no law may interfere with it. It is commonly known as the First Amendment to the Constitution. Every American has the freedom to practice, or not, his or her religion in the manner of their choosing.
So, what exactly does this mean?
You are free to believe in God, or not.
You are free to assemble with other who believe as you do.
You are free to disapprove those who disagree with you.
You are free to speak out against those who disagree with you.
You are free to mock those who disagree with you.
You are free to whine about being mocked.
You are free to adhere with the tenets of your faith anywhere from 0-100%- it is your faith after all.
Much like there is no evidence of the existence of God, you are free to feel mocked whether you are or not.
BTW, If you are wondering, I am mocking all Christians who feel the need for these laws, and especially the AZ legislators who voted for it "by mistake."
All that being said, you are not free to impose your religion on me. If you believe homosexuality is a sin, don't do it. If you think Jews need to accept Christ, tell us. If you believe Islam is a terrorist religion, I suggest you get an education.
You are free to believe whatever you want. You are free, within the law, to behave as you wish. You are not free to discriminate against those who disagree with you. The Constitution protects other people religion just as much as it does yours. If you don't like it, lump it. If you sell to white, you must sell to black. If you sell to Gentile, you must sell to Jew. If you sell to Man you must sell to Woman.
If you consider an activity to be sinful, you are free to not engage in that activity. You are not free to coerce my agreement by withholding your publicly provided service.