Your right to RELIGIOUS FREEDOM is not your LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE based on religion. There is a very distinct difference.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order tomorrow granting “Federal Religious Freedom.” This is a move, no doubt, pushed by Bible Thumping Pence and other Republican religious zealots that cannot grasp the difference between church and state. I wonder if this was the deal Trump and Pence made. After all, why would anyone stick with Trump this long without something on the agenda, that is unless, Pence’s endgame is waiting for Trump’s inevitable impeachment so that he can take the reigns. If that is the case, Pence is much smarter than I gave him credit for.
Back in March of 2015, Pence introduced similar legislation in his state of Indiana. Pence and other legislators wanted to give for-profit companies the same free exercise rights that churches received. It sounded crazy and bigoted even then, but this was after the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, a decision that gave corporate employers the legal right to not provide contraceptive coverage to their employees. Pence and Indiana suffered badly in the press; this was a poorly veiled attempt at discrimination. This was a bad business move for Indiana and they are still suffering the consequences of their bigotry. Yet, Pence, well he is now the Vice President and maybe one day the President, if he waits longs enough.
How is Pence’s version of religious freedom different then the pre-civil rights movement where businesses could choose not to serve blacks or segregate to other doorways, other bathrooms/water fountains, other seats on the bus….well, that my folks is the problem—IT IS NOT DIFFERENT. It is still discrimination but now it is wrapped up in a religious freedom bow. Not very Christian like and not the message the Pope puts forth. Now that man, the Pope, he is a leader. His message of inclusion, acceptance, tolerance, and love should be an example to all—but especially those who cling to the Bible as if it were real.
Back in February information was leaked about a “religious freedom” bill. It was rumored then that Ivanka and Jared were able to talk Trump out of signing the bill, recognizing it could be political suicide—-yes, immigration ban, grabbing pussy, treason suspicions, and basic incompetence were not political suicide–but this…I will take it– if this is what the public can get behind in mass, then LET’S ROLL, people.
Politico reported yesterday that Trump has invited conservative leaders to the WH tomorrow, Thursday May 4th, to sign an executive order that promotes religious liberty, allowing businesses and individuals to discriminate based on their religious beliefs. It is expected that these broad religious objections now permitted at a Federal level will specifically target the LGBTQ community.
We are truly headed backwards here, folks. #RESIST
Resources:
YOUR RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, https://www.aclu.org/other/your-right-religious-freedom
What Makes Indiana’s Religious-Freedom Law Different?, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/what-makes-indianas-religious-freedom-law-different/388997/
Trump set to sign religious liberty order: report, http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/331614-religious-liberty-executive-order-may-come-thursday-report
White House aims for Thursday signing of religious liberty executive order, http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/02/donald-trump-religious-liberty-executive-order-237888
Mike Pence’s Religious Freedom Law Continues To Hang Over Indiana, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-religious-freedom-law-indiana_us_57c839b9e4b0a22de09446d8
