3 variations of Religious Freedom Restoration Act bills are being debated in the Michigan legislature. Gannet's take
Ann Arbor's (Michigan Daily) paper's take
These bills would allow religious groups who receive state funding to deny services to same sex couples. This would include hospitals and other health care workers, pharmacists, adoption agencies and other services where the lines between religion and state services have blurred. Passing these bills would also allow businesses to deny service to those whose lifestyle contradicted with their religious beliefs.
I am heavily conflicted about this issue. I believe religions should legally be able to provide their services to the people they choose. As long as religions follow the laws of the land, they should be able to live as they choose. I just don't understand who didn't see this coming when we started allowing religious groups to receive state funding for their services? And now that corporations are people and can have religious views... I'm sorry sir. I noticed you are not wearing the new orthodox cross with the notch to signify being born again so I will not be able to sell you those eggs. I believe Shirley, who is working aisle 2, will help you. /sn
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I believe this is a reason for the fear the Christian extremists have about Sharia law. Since they see us as a Christian nation, directed by God's will and laws, some could easily decide to base their laws on Sharia law because of religious freedom.
The Hasidic Jews follow their rules and laws already in our nation. Disputes, and even crimes are typically handled within the group. No one screams about that too much. I'd point to the Christian religious groups who do the same, but since they are Christian, their rules are acceptable to the Christian extremists. At least for the time being. They would all start turning on each other if we really did become a Christian nation.
Are you following an acceptable variation of Christianity who understands the hell and damnation of the Old Testament, or are you one of those people who think Jesus was a humanist and the New Testament should be our guide?
I wish our government provided the services a nation should provide to allow a certain standard of living for all. Health care, basic food, basic shelter and the ability to work, even if that means for the local, state or federal government should be available to all people in a nation as wealthy as ours. I wish we did not have to depend on religious groups to provide services to the general public that force them to go against their beliefs. I wish I had an easy solution to wrap my head around, to the mess they have made creating a fuzzy line between public services and religious services.
12:06 PM PT: My conflict is forcing religions to provide services that go against their beliefs. Providing tax dollars for public services to religious organizations created the problem. Our rules have created a situation that is unacceptable all around.
Personally, I do not follow any religion or willingly take part in religious ceremonies.