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@Mopac
23,000 plus nominally Christian denominations is religious anarchy, isn't it obvious?And I for one appreciate the first amendment, even if it allows for the existence of all these heretical churches and false religions. Even God deniers!The Church respects free will. Freedom of religion is very much in line with what we believe as far as coercion being unacceptable in spiritual healing.People certainly have the right to be wrong!
So if personal conscience is a "church of one", would you abolish the Civil Rights Act?
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@Stronn
Show me the holy text.What if my religion believes that blacks are afflicted with evil. Should I have the right to exclude blacks from my business? What if I believe the disabled are afflicted because of their sin. Should I have the right to exclude the disabled?
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@Mopac
Someone does not have to justify their religious beliefs.
How is this qualitatively distinct from anarchy?
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
First of all, the cake guy does this all day long, this is not "forced labor".lol dude come on, it's forced labor if he doesn't want to do it isn't it? I mean that IS the definition.
This is no different than you or I. We can choose to do our jobs, OR quit.
The cake guy could have chosen to quit making custom cakes. For everyone. No problem. No "forced labor".
Are you afraid someone is going to walk up to you on the street and ask you to make a gay wedding cake?
Are you afraid that you will be sent to the gulags and forced to frost gay cakes for the rest of your life?
The objection was based on their sexual orientation alone, not that they were asking for a ridiculous cake.the objection was based on a gay marriage as they were able to pick a cake from the case, so it was not actually based on their sexual orientation because he would have still provided a product to them.
The objection wasn't to "selling" but "making". The cake guy presumably made a custom cake for the very next person who offered to pay.
Can we force a restaurant employee to make a milkshake or a cappuccino for a minority they hate? Yes.correct as I have been explaining to secularmerlin it's about an action/verb and not a noun, please read those posts I don't feel like typing it out all again.
Well, you agree with "forced labor" it's now just a matter of drawing a line between "routine" and "creative" tasks.
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@Deb-8-a-bull
What if gay people are jeopardizing religious peoples afterlife. Unfortunately this has to be considered right?
Show me the holy text that suggests such a thing.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
Even so, you still have to show the rule.but again I believe many of these things are open to interpretation are they not? If they are, does the individual have the right to their interpretation? Who decides if the individual's interpretation is wrong and who's is correct? If you think they are wrong do you think it's ok to make them accept yours?
Show me the text.
I'll be extremely generous.
I'll even accept your choice of non-canonical scholarly "authoritative" biblical analysis.
You're making a naked appeal to ignorance.
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@Snoopy
There is no such rule in Christianity.
As far as I can tell.
Last time I told you that you were presuming people's beliefs you said something like "they say its based on religion" but what you are actually doing is saying that their conscience can be assumed to align with your own presumptions like "don't sell or make stuff for gays or sinners" without proof.
They call it "religious freedom" and they say their "conscience" is "evidence" of their specific god.
If you de-couple individual conscience from religion, then you may as well throw "The Bible" out of the nearest window.
The first thing these people ALWAYS say is, "homosexuality is a sin". Well, certainly, but there's a truck-load of other (equally horrifying) sins you seem to whimsically ignore (like divorce).
If your objection doesn't have anything to do with "The Bible" then just say "homos creep me out".
And don't try and blame it on your religion.
They're making Christians look bad.
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@Snoopy
Not based on anything that is actually written in "The Bible".The bible is based upon our relationship with God, not vice versa. I can give you reference to historic prescriptions in the bible.
Even so, you still have to show the rule.
If your flavor of religion prioritizes certain documents over others, that's fine.
Pick whatever document you wish, but you still need to show the text that says something interpret-able as "don't sell or make stuff for gays or sinners".
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
...they could have purchased a cake from the case, his creativity, skill, artistic interpretation, his physical labor for which someone wishes to enter into a contract with him for is at his discretion.
First of all, the cake guy does this all day long, this is not "forced labor". He even has a sign that says "custom cakes made upon request".
The cake guy can quit at any time.
Second of all, in court hearings, the cake designer said that he refused to discuss any design of any cake for the gay wedding. So his objection was not about "the design of the cake". The objection was based on their sexual orientation alone, not that they were asking for a ridiculous cake.
Thirdly, what gets buried under the "compelled free speech" defense is the REASON the cake designer refused.
Can we force a restaurant employee to make a milkshake or a cappuccino for a minority they hate? Yes.
Is a milkshake or a cappuccino a customizable item that takes some level of skill to create? Yes.
Is making a fancy milkshake or cappuccino significantly or materially different than a simple wedding cake with two boy names on it?
It wouldn't seem to be.
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@Snoopy
Just like the King Solomon, blessed by the "YHWH" with 1,000 WIVES AND CONCUBINES.Yeah, there could still be Jewish arguments on that subject. In Christianity something like that is considered as a consequence of the fall and/or policy of specific historical context, and no longer institutionally valid in any circumstance.
So, pure post-hoc apologetics.
Not based on anything that is actually written in "The Bible".
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
Good point.you can have a ceremony without being legally married or be legally married without a ceremony, they can be exclusive.
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@Snoopy
...with resemblance to the original model observed in the story of Adam and Eve before the fall.
Just like the King Solomon, blessed by the "YHWH" with 1,000 WIVES AND CONCUBINES.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
And there is also an equally long history of objecting to eating bacon-cheeseburgers and marrying a divorcee.lol you are really trying hard here I see that but come on LOLyou don't ask to enter into a mutual contract to have a person eat bacon-cheeseburgers do you?
The cake doesn't cause them or allow them to commit homo stuff. They're going to do that anyway.
(IFF) the "objection" is based on the idea that "I don't want to endorse sin" (THEN) there should be a reason to single out that one sin.
so only your interpretation matters then, because you believe theirs is incorrect?
They've offered no attempt to explain why they refuse to make a cake for homos (a sin) and yet have no problem making a cake for divorcees (also a sin).
because, as you claim, they allow for other sins or things you think are prohibited in the bible that they can't object to homosexuality, it's all or nothing for you, correct?
All of the sins that have the same penalties are the same priority.
(IFF) homo marriage is claimed to be a higher priority than other sins (THEN) there must be some supporting evidence for this claim.
For example, if you suppose The Seven Deadly Sins are "the worst of the worst", then pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth should all be treated equally, (OR) perhaps in order of appearance with Pride being the Worst.
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@Snoopy
Everyone who has perused the bible already knows that marriage was around before Jesus came to fulfill the law.
So you're basically saying we agree.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
but there does seem to be a long history of objecting to homosexual sex, or is that incorrect?
And there is also an equally long history of objecting to eating bacon-cheeseburgers and marrying a divorcee.
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@secularmerlin
Marriage is between a man and a woman, who are given to one another. There is no such thing as homosexual marriage in Christianity. It is like an oxymoron. Interracial marriage would still be marriage.Marriage in this context is a legal designation not a religious one. Otherwise no legislation would be necessarry or apply.
Also, just a note here, Christianity did not invent Marriage (and therefore does not own it).
Marriage existed for tens of thousands of years before MOSES was even born.
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@secularmerlin
no, before civil rights they were denying people, not actions,celebrations and things I've already outlined.One of the ways they did this was by refusing services to certain individuals (say baking wedding cakes for interracial couples).
Bingo.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
we have to allow any reason to maintain freedom over one's self and their person. this includes refusing to make,create, participate in any religious settings, or just the ones I agree with.
You have the "freedom" to (EITHER) quit your job, (OR) declare your business A PRIVATE CLUB.
You can't reap the benefits of being open to the public (free customers walking in and spending money) and then ARBITRARILY choose who you want to serve.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
How is celebrating a gay wedding any different then celebrating a marriage of divorcees, or a wedding between two felony convicts, or a wedding between a Christian and a non-Christian (which is specifically prohibited)?I'm not as knowledgeable about religion as you are, so I don't know. You seem rather insistent wanting to apply logic to something you consider so illogical to begin with.
Logic is based on Axioms. If your Axiom is a specific Religion, then you must follow your Axiom (OR) switch to another Religion.
Everyone has different values and things they object to, that is their right and should be. As I have said this is one of the prices for freedom, letting people choose freely rather than being totalitarian and making them prove it or justify it to your or the state's satisfaction.
You must (EITHER) serve the public (OR) declare yourself a private club. It's that simple.
To me this is very similar to a speech some white supremacist, nazi would might have, no matter how much I may hate it, it still needs to be protected if we are to maintain freedoms, either everyone is equal or they aren't, this includes people who make choices we would not and we would even consider repugnant.
Hate speech has some protections but not carte-blanche. Speech is entirely different then Action (or denial of service).
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
again the refusal is not based on the person, but the reason for the proposed contract, but even then as I have said in providing certain services anyone should have the right to refuse and not give a reason so what the true reason doesn't matter, though I guess if you could show a pattern.No you can't discriminate based on characteristics, being gay is a characteristic, a gay wedding is not, it's an event, celebration, whatever, you can choose to participate or not.
If I sell someone a very fast car, and that person is convicted of speeding, I am not a "participant" in that "event".
If I sell someone a gun, and that person is convicted of murder, I am not a "participant" in that "event".
If I rent a convention center, and the purchasers of that space hold a seance to summon the ghost of the Great Zucchini, I am not a "participant" in that "event".
The whole point of paying money to someone for something is to make it a mercenary act.
A grocery store is not "endorsing" the "lifestyle choices" of every patron. They most certainly sell to all sorts of criminals and weirdos. Whatever people choose to do with their purchased items is their prerogative. The grocery store owner and especially the checkout clerk are not "participants" in whatever "event" might transpire.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
The cake issue specifically, he had a problem with a cake that celebrated or was for a celebration of a gay wedding, an act/event.
How is celebrating a gay wedding any different then celebrating a marriage of divorcees, or a wedding between two felony convicts, or a wedding between a Christian and a non-Christian (which is specifically prohibited)?
This is a reply to [POST#148]
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
whether they choose to give a reason or not it's their choice they have the right and freedom to choose not to labor in the context I have already laid down. Their body their choice.
So if someone says "my religion requires that I shoot heroin at least three times a week and only perform labor in exchange for money once a month" then if someone refused to hire them, or tries to fire them for not showing up for their shift, the business owner could be sued out of existence because they are "discriminating against religious expression"?
There must be reasonable limits on what a person can claim.
there doesn't have to be a specific text, it's their interpretation of it, hence belief and freedom of religion.
There must be reasonable limits on what a person can claim.
does the muslim religion have specific texts, I honestly don't know but I assume they do since they toss gays off of buildings etc they must, which I gather you'd give them a pass but not other religions unless they can present the specific text.
Does "The Bible" say you must stone people to death for infidelity and for picking up sticks on the Sabbath? Yes. Yes it does.
Does "The Bible" endorse polygamy? It certainly seems to.
Are public stonings and polygamy legally protected activities? No. No they are not.
There must be reasonable limits on what a person can claim.
I think there's plenty of precedence of how some religions feel about gays.
As far as I can tell, from a Jewish/Christian perspective, homosexuality is in the same category of "sin" as eating a cheeseburger or violating the day of rest. Have you ever flipped a light switch on a Saturday? If you did, then you are as bad (evil and sinful) as a homo.
Can get receive communion, be priests, nuns or hold certain positions in some churches? Are there still some who will not perform a religious gay wedding? I believe these are still the cases so the objection seems consistent for those who do object.
Churches AND OTHER PRIVATE CLUBS can makeup whatever rules they want.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
The following is a conditional statement.
(IFF) you claim your objection is based on your religion (THEN) you need to present the specific text.
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@YeshuaRedeemed
Let's not conflate personal and professional standards here.I am frequently objecting to divorce. Next question, please. I would rather die alone than ever go through a divorce.
Do you refuse to do business with divorcees?
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
How do you object to a gay wedding but not to a divorcee wedding?can atheist object to gay weddings or are they somehow prohibited from doing so?
Anyone (individual or private club) can object to anything for any reason.
hOWeVer, if you claim your objection is based on your religion, you need to present the specific text.
Good luck finding an "Atheistic Holy Text" that prohibits doing business with the gays.
I noticed a sign on the door of a business recently that stated "No Motorcycle Clubs". Since "Motorcycle Club" is not a protected class, this would seem perfectly reasonable.
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@YeshuaRedeemed
I disagree. Would you say the same if Muslims are in charge, or is your issue with Christians?
I believe we should treat "objections of conscience" equally, regardless of their religious origins.
If the Quran specifically says, "don't do business with a homo", then that would be a valid religious objection.
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@Snoopy
Out of curiosity, why is cash of significance to you?
Because we're talking about business.
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@YeshuaRedeemed
Divorce is also a sin. How do you object to a gay wedding but not to a divorcee wedding?...it's not hate to disagree with something the Bible calls a sin.
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@Mopac
Discrimination is not marrying someone of the same sex because they are the same sex as you.
Do you normally marry people for cash money? Do you serve the public with this "skill"?
Or are you acting as a private individual?
Is this what you're truly afraid of? That the government will force you to get gay-married?
Are you open-to-the-public?
Or are you more of a Private Club?
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@Mopac
If you just say "Idonwanna", that's not a religious objection of "conscience".So in this case it is a matter of whether or not you respect the baker's right of free will
If you say "Idonwanna" to everyone, then that's your right.
If you only say "Idonwanna" to the gays (or one of the other 9 protected classes), then you might be dragged into court.
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@Snoopy
Secondly, the idea that all people who do not abide by your religion should not receive service would seem to practically necessitate a closed system of business to begin with.
Well stated.
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@Snoopy
Discrimination is not illegal. Discrimination on the basis of someone's race is illegal.
U.S. federal law protects individuals from discrimination or harassment based on the following nine protected classes: sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, religion, or genetic information (added in 2008). Many state laws also give certain protected groups special protection against harassment and discrimination, as do many employer policies. [LINK]
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@Mopac
I don't believe that is how the first amendment works.
You can't hide behind a "religious objection" without being able to show exactly how your religion prohibits the specific behavior under scrutiny.
The cake guy didn't count their "religious objection" as their primary defense. They instead opted to pursue a "freedom from compelled speech" defense and was able to win with that.
Prisoners who demand kosher meals are interviewed by a rabbi in order to determine if they are cherry-picking Jewish law.
A native American student who grew his hair long like his ancestors was asked to prove that it was required by his religion, and it was determined to be "traditional" but not mandatory (by their village elders) and so he was required to cut it (for public school).
Besides that, protestant Christianity is far too diverse for this to be practical anyway.
It doesn't matter which flavor of Christianity you claim to believe in. You still have to prove that some actual rules in your chosen flavor specifically prohibit the behavior under scrutiny.
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@ludofl3x
@Snoopy
Again, what if he decided "NO BLACKS" was his policy?
This is not too far fetched. Hindus have an entire class of "untouchables" who are darker skinned people.
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@Snoopy
That sounds like "guilty until proven innocent", and it's not helped by presumptively assuming the motive
It's not presuming a motive if the individual says, "because of my religion".
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@ludofl3x
I wonder if the cake guy asked the people getting married whom he DID make cakes for, if they'd had premarital sex, or were living together. Wouldn't he HAVE to? In order to be consistent with the biblical objections, I mean, which is basically the crux of his argument.
Well stated. If you're going to claim a "religious objection" you should be required to prove you are following every law with equal enthusiasm or explain why one teaching should be prioritized over another.
For example, why sell to divorcees but not the gays when both are contrary to "The Bible".
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@Mopac
I think there is a big difference between spreading bad publicity and using the force of the law.
Good point. I believe harassment should be limited by law.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
All laws "compel action" by threat of force.do they? trying to think of what other laws actually forces you do something physically with your body, can't think of anything atm What law forces you to work or perform work against your will? Drawing a blank, help me out there.
Are you compelled to register your vehicle and qualify for a drivers license under threat of force?
Are you compelled to pay your taxes under threat of force?
Are you compelled to pay rent under threat of force?
Are you compelled to drive on streets and designated areas and not on the sidewalk under threat of force?
Are you compelled to earn money in order to pay for all of these unavoidable fees and expenses that are compelled by force?
If a sole proprietor doesn't want to "serve the public" they should open a private club.isn't that his private business/property if he is the owner?
Any business that is open to the public must serve the public.
if it is he can invite people or not onto his property anytime he chooses can't he?
An "invitation only" business would be a private club.
do we have rights over our own property?
We have certain rights to private property, but if you are a business that is open to the public, the public also has certain rights.
to what end?
To support individual equality and the function of a peaceful society.
Actions that support individual equality and the function of a peaceful society should be enforced by law.how about blood donations, there's always a shortage, that saves lives shouldn't that be mandatory over hurt feelings or inconvenience?looking for some lines here.
Blood is a commodity. [LINK]
I agree that an individual should be considered sovereign. But that does not mean an individual can "do whatever they want" even if they call it "a religion". Polygamy for example is clearly endorsed in "The Bible", however it doesn't seem to be protected under "Religious Freedom".
just to be clear you seem to be fine with forcing people to work at gun point because discrimination is the greater of 2 evils.
It's pretty simple, if you are open to the public, then you must serve the public. If you want to hand-pick your customers, open a private club.
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@Wrick-It-Ralph
The real thing he wants is attention because nobody cares about his [CRAZY IDEAS].
Let those without sin cast the first stone here.
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@Swagnarok
Your statement is opinion stated as fact.This was primarily meant to dissuade the kinds of @$$#$% who decided to pick on the owners of Masterpiece Cakeshop to force them out of business on account of the owner's religious beliefs that they didn't like.
There are a great number of Christian businesses that DON'T get "picked on" and the number one reason is because they don't discriminate. [LINK]
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@Mopac
So, basically, the ontological argument.The Ultimate Reality is what is God means.
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@secularmerlin
Bingo.In a majority christian setting a homosexual could hypothetically be refused the bulk of ordinary services and the businesses that would cater to them might abuse them in other ways (such as price gouging or offering inferior goods) since they have no alternative. We know this is possible specifically because of the conditions in America that led to the civil rights movement in the first place.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
so then it comes back to do you force the individual who has not agreed or bound to specific behavior and standards to an employer, do you force the sole proprietor to perform under threat of force?
All laws "compel action" by threat of force. If a sole proprietor doesn't want to "serve the public" they should open a private club.
to what end?
Equality of opportunity.
how can you justify such actions?
In the exact same way we justify all laws.
what other compelled actions should we force at gun point?
Actions that support individual equality and the function of a peaceful society should be enforced by law.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
I'd prefer they be out in the open than hiding.
A polite and civil society =/= a brutally honest, tell-it-like-it-is, keepin' it real society.
Dismantling protections for minority groups because of apparently low hate would be like dismantling laws against murder because of a low murder rate.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
I'd want to know upfront so I can find an alternative place who I could trust, who does want my business and then i could inform others.
Ah, like "Green Book" [LINK].
I think the world would be a much more dangerous place if Christians only patronized Christian businesses and Muslims only patronized Muslim businesses and Atheists only patronized Atheist businesses, And Women, and Disabled people, and etcetera.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
Forced labor under threat, whether it's paid for or not is still wrong imo.
Well nearly every job is "compelled" either by incentives or threats or both. I mean, unless it's truly voluntary like under some sort of Universal Basic Income.
their decisions should be respected, this does not mean there won't be consequences, people can ask to boycott the business, protest legally and what ever other legal means are available. This is a more civilized and appropriate approach than threat of violence to force labor. Don't you think?
I kinda see what you mean with the boycotts and or protests...
Although, it seems like that would just take us back to what we had before the Civil Rights Act.
Are you suggesting we should repeal the Civil Rights Act? ...And the Americans with Disabilities Act?
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
The cake shop ruling was a separate issue because, since "designing and decorating" a cake is considered a "creative expression" then it cannot be "compelled". "Creative expression" in this case was considered "protected free-speech".as a side not, yes I agreed and supported the cake shop's position.
The cake shop apparently had no problem selling the gay couple an "off-the-shelf" pre-made cake.
They only refused to custom design one specifically for them.
The current expansion of "Religious Freedom" bills aim to cover things like "refusing to prepare a room for surgery" for a gay or transgendered person, or refusing to fix someone's sink, or refusing to sell them food at a restaurant. And like the hobby shop chain that wanted to offer a healthcare plan that excludes coverage for abortion (and presumably other medical procedures they disagree with).
If you want to claim a "religious objection" to something, it seems you should be able to point out a specific mandatory rule from your chosen holy text.
My position has always been, "If you want to pick and choose your customers, open a private club".
There is a distinct difference between a business that is open to the public and a private club.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
So, for you, any laws protecting people from discrimination are contrary to your worldview?If I can choose what to do with my body/labor, without the force and threat of people with guns forcing me to do preform with my body/labor than any religious objection is moot as it's my body/labor choice so I don't have to give a reason., which is exactly what I said previously, perhaps a 2nd reading will help you understand better?
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@Alec
The verses I presented said any male who has sex with other men won't go to heaven.
The verses merely listed sins. It would seem bizarre to focus on homosexuality and ignore every other infraction on the list.
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@Alec
God doesn't allow gays in heaven.Citation please.
The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
This doesn't seem to be very specific. Nothing about refusing service here.
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
Nothing about refusing service here either.
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