Sharpton: Indiana Religious Freedom Law Like Slavery And Jim Crow Or Something

31 Mar, 2015 by William Teach

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As Weasel Zippers notes, “This is the same guy who called a man a “punk faggot” on national TV.” And we surely can’t forget Sharpton’s involvement and leadership in pograms against Jews.

“This is a key moment for the country. Too often in our history, we’ve seen religion used to justify attacks on other people’s rights, from slavery, to Jim Crow, to women’s right to vote. That same fight is with us today, and we can’t let it stand.”

Interestingly, Leftists just like Al Sharpton are only interested in these attacks from one religion that occurred in the past. They are less than interested in those same attacks that come from Islam. In fact, if you even bring these issues up, you’ll be branded a racist, a bigot, and an Islamophobe. Honor killings? Jihad? Anti-Semitism? Forcing women to be covered from head to toe? Making women obtain 4 witnesses if raped, otherwise she will be whipped? Not allowing women to drive? Stoning women for adultery? Hanging gays? These are all issues, and the list keeps going, from hardcore Islam. Why are Leftists unconcerned about these actions? Actions which would not be allowed under Indiana’s RFRA. Indiana Governor Mike Pence penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, which is, sadly, behind the pay wall, that explains the law. Here’s a snippet via the governor’s home page

“I want to make clear to Hoosiers and every American that despite what critics and many in the national media have asserted, the law is not a ‘license to discriminate,’ either in Indiana or elsewhere.”

“I abhor discrimination. I believe in the Golden Rule that you should ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ If I saw a restaurant owner refuse to serve a gay couple, I wouldn’t eat there anymore.”

“As governor of Indiana, if I were presented a bill that legalized discrimination against any person or group, I would veto it. Indiana’s new law contains no reference to sexual orientation. It simply mirrors federal law that President Bill Clinton signed in 1993.”

“Some express concern that Indiana’s RFRA law would lead to discrimination, but RFRA only provides a mechanism to address claims, not a license for private parties to deny services. Even a claim involving private individuals under RFRA must show that one’s religious beliefs were ‘substantially burdened’ and not in service to a broader government interest—which preventing discrimination certainly is. The government has the explicit power under the law to step in and defend such interests.”

“The hospitality and character of Hoosiers are synonymous with everything that is good about America. Faith and religion are important values to millions of Indiana residents. With the passage of this legislation, Indiana will continue to be a place that respects the beliefs of every person in our state.”

He also notes that much of this was about protecting religious people from Obamacare.

Here’s the thing: many people and businesses are legally allowed to deny service. “No shirt, no shoes, no service”. People can be banned from businesses for improper conduct. Does a business have to make a “Hitler cake“? No. What if someone wanted a cake with violent tones on it? No, they do not have to make it. Does a business have a right to discriminate simply because a person is gay, Black, a woman? No. However, they wouldn’t have to make a gay a wedding cake.

What if someone came into a Muslim (or Jewish) bakery and wanted a cake with bacon on it? Would the baker be within their religious rights to say “no, I cannot make that”? Yes, they would. In a rational world, the people wanting the cake would say “I understand. I may not agree with your religious beliefs, but I understand, and respect your beliefs. Can you recommend a good baker?” In today’s society, where everyone is Offended, that is not what seems to happen, and Something Must Be Done, forcing compliance, particularly under Government intervention.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.