OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. A religious freedom proposal that was meant to protect business owners who have faith-based objections to fulfilling particular orders has been shelved after a Democratic representative put forth an amendment that would require such businesses to post notices about their objections. <\/p>\n
The Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, HB 1371, was introduced earlier this year by state Rep. Chuck Strohm (R-Tulsa) to provide protections for those whose religious beliefsforbid them from being partakers in other mens sins (1 Timothy 5:22). <\/p>\n
In any action brought under the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act,neither the State of Oklahoma nor any subdivision thereof shall beentitled to claim a governmental interest which purports to requireany person to participate in any marriage ceremony, celebration, orother related activity or to provide items or services for suchpurposes against the persons religious beliefs, the bill read. <\/p>\n
But Rep. Emily Virgin (D-Norman), an opponent of the bill, submitted an amendment to the Act this week that would require such businesses to post notices stating which persons they would not serve. <\/p>\n
Any person not wanting to participate in any of the activities set forth in subsection A of this section based on sexual orientation, gender identity or race of either party to the marriage shall post notice of such refusal in a manner clearly visible to the public in all places of business, including websites, the amendment read.The notice may refer to the persons religious beliefs, but shall state specifically which couples the business does not serve by referring to a refusal based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or race. <\/p>\n
A number of business owners across the country who have been involved in civil rights complaints have stated that they dont refuse to serve homosexualsthat they have regular customers and employees who are involved in such relationshipsbut must draw the line when it comes to personal involvement in a ceremony. <\/p>\n
I was pretty flabbergasted [about the Religious Freedom Act] because it hearkens back to a time when we were legalizing discrimination on the basis of race, basis of gendermany other things that now just seem silly, Virgin told local television station KFOR. If you want to discriminate under this law if it passes, then youre legally allowed to do that, but you need to own it. You need to fess up to it. <\/p>\n
However, now that Virgin added the amendment to the Act, the Religious Freedom Act has stalled and has been shelved for discussion. <\/p>\n
As previously reported, in recent years, a number of states have been seeking to pass local laws similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed by then-President Bill Clinton. The Michigan House of Representativespassed a bill in December that some interpreted as providing protections for faith-based businesses, as well as conscience-based objections for employees of secular businesses. <\/p>\n
Some opposed that bill as well. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Religious Freedom Proposal Shelved After Rep. Requires Businesses to Post Refusal Notice<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. A religious freedom proposal that was meant to protect business owners who have faith-based objections to fulfilling particular orders has been shelved after a Democratic representative put forth an amendment that would require such businesses to post notices about their objections Continue reading