I honestly do understand the need or desire for religious freedom, but if that freedom requires the discrimination of others I don't think the government needs to step in to give someone's freedom to religious expression a free pass to do so. These religious freedom laws being passed in some states look like nothing more than a license to discriminate, just another bully tactic by a certain majority. Turning this into a huge scare campaign by telling people the other side only wants grown men to use the woman's bathroom does little to mask the true message. The people drafting and supporting these laws are afraid of LGTBs, and are willing to use the government to discriminate.
My religion doesn't teach me that gays are sinners, maybe that is the difference. I don't think so. I only know one gay person who follows the nature path, all the others are Christian, so a particular belief system is not the bad apple. It is hate and fear in the minds of only people that create the desire to tell a same sex couple "no I will not bake a cake for your wedding", or "no I will not issue your marriage license because I think you are evil". When will we get passed this? One man's religion is another man's belly laugh. For this reason, the government should not entertain the efforts of the majority to use their religion as a reason to treat others as second class citizens.
As long as the government allows this nonsense to go on, I personally don't feel that LGTBs should have to pay taxes like I do. We are either all equal, or we're not. Shame on those states for taking this kind of hateful stance against a segment of it's citizens. 300 hundred years ago people who thought like me (or were even suspected to) were murdered in Salem. Those days are past, but seeing states adopt laws that allow hate to lead the way makes me very nervous. We need to love and respect one another. These laws are not a pathway to that kind of love. I urge everyone to say no to this kind of hate. It has no place in a civilized society.
Blessed Be to all, even the haters. May the energies of love touch your heart.
Very true indeed. Safety for all may not be attainable for all --- but lack of full-attainability doesn't mean that a goal isn't worth pursuing. We may not ... more