"Indiana’s RFRA - THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST MIKE PENCE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM" - By: John Stonestreet| Breakpoin.org: March 31, 2015; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/12/27117?spMailingID=11027841&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=502246504&spReportId=NTAyMjQ2NTA0S0 [NOTE: Yes, I know that there are similarities between this article and yesterday's. But not only did this show up just as I was posting the previous posts, but it includes at the bottom some resource articles the previous articles didn't. ALSO, I've included the email I sent to Gov. Pence. I encourage you to sign the petition included with yesterday's post as well as send a quick email to Gov. Pence to encourage him. And of course, be praying for the Gov.Thanks!]
Ignorance, deception, and distortion. That sums up the bulk of the media coverage about the religious freedom bill in Indiana.
Even before this year’s NCAA “Final Four” Basketball Championship in Indianapolis was set, much of the media’s attention had already pivoted to what one pundit called “the nightmare [looming] in Indiana.” The “nightmare” being referred to was the new Indiana law that – we are being told - “essentially gives Indiana businesses the freedom to discriminate against gays and lesbians.”
“Well, why would Indiana do that?” you might ask. Well, it didn’t. It’s part of a shameless campaign to discredit that state’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Gov. Mike Pence signed into law last week. And so far, the reporting has been somewhere between ignorant and flat-out dishonest.
In the ignorant category you have Charles Barkley’s statement that “As long as anti-gay legislation exists in any state, I strongly believe big events such as the Final Four and Super Bowl should not be held in those states’ cities.” With all due respect to Mr. Barkley, I doubt he has read Indiana’s law or was aware that 19 other states already have similar laws or that he has considered any legal analysis of what the law actually permits. [This is probably also true for the media that trumpeted his comment.]
And in the dishonest category you have the lion’s share of media coverage touting a hypothetical scenario in which Bible-swinging restaurant owners chase away gay diners in the same way that Lester Maddox did with an axe handle against African-Americans.
No mention was made of what prompted the enactment of the Indiana law and others like it: Christians being forced, under penalty of law, to participate in ceremonies that violated their religious beliefs.
And hardly any mentioned that Indiana’s law was modeled on the federal 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which found overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans, and was signed into law by President Clinton. And as Governor Pence has pointed out, in 1998, then-state Senator Barack Obama voted in favor of Illinois’ religious freedom legislation.
As Daniel O. Conkle, a law professor at Indiana University, wrote in the Indianapolis Star, the Indiana law “despite all the rhetoric” has “little to do with gay marriage and everything to do with religious freedom.”
And that's exactly the point Governor Pence tried to make to anyone who would listen.
And here’s something you need to know: Professor Conkle is a supporter of gay rights, including gay marriage. So obviously, not everyone who supports the Indiana law is a “bigot.”
As Conkle points out, “granting religious believers legal consideration does not mean that their religious objections will always be upheld.” In fact, the bill only ensures them of “their day in court.” Once there, they’ll still have to compellingly argue that being required to, say, photograph a gay wedding, is an infringement on their religious freedom that does not serve a compelling governmental interest, or if it does, that this interest could not be furthered in a less intrusive manner. In other words, this bill is no license to discriminate.
Rather, it's the kind of freedom that Americans have long taken for granted. All Americans, not just Christians. It’s why the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a Muslim prisoner in Arkansas could wear a half-inch beard.
And yet, an intolerant clique with their media partners would deny millions of Americans this right and excoriate Mike Pence for upholding it. As Eric Metaxas said in a recent email to me about this, we are at a tipping point. It’s game on. And we can’t let the media’s lies go unanswered.
So, three cheers for Mike Pence and the Indiana General Assembly for standing for the rights of citizens. You may want to send Governor Pence a supportive message. I bet he could use one right about now. And get up to speed on the issue so you can tell the truth about this bill.
[Note: BELOW a list of clear articles from those on both sides of the political aisle and a way to contact the Gov.'s office.]
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - - As John said, we are at a tipping point when it comes to religious freedom. Arm yourself and your friends with the truth. Check out the articles below—and then share them! Post them on Facebook, send to your legislators. Whatever you need to do to get the word out.
RESOURCES
"UVA Law Prof Who Supports Gay Marriage Explains Why He Supports Indiana's Religious Freedom Law" - John McCormack | Weekly Standard | March 29, 2015; http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/uva-law-prof-who-supports-gay-marriage-explains-why-he-supports-indianas-religious-freedom-law_902928.html?nopager=1
"Law professor: Why Indiana needs 'religious freedom' legislation" - Daniel O. Conkle | Indystar.com | March 26, 2015; http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/03/07/indiana-needs-religious-freedom-legislation/24477303/
"Indiana: A Religious Liberty Bellwether" - Rod Dreher | The American Conservative | March 30, 2015; http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/indiana-a-religious-liberty-bellwether/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=indiana-a-religious-liberty-bellwether
"Straightforward explanation of Indiana's RFRA Law" - Eric Teetsel | Manhattan Declaration;http://links.manhattandeclaration.mkt4270.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MTEwMjAwODcS1&r=NDYwMDg5OTU2OQS2&j=NTAyMTg3NTI5S0&mt=1&rt=0
"What You Should Know About Religious Freedom Restoration Acts" - Joe Carter | The Gospel Coalition | March 27, 2015; http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-you-should-know-about-religious-freedom-restoration-acts
Read the federal RFRA here, and Indiana's RFRA here. - https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/103/hr1308/text
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO GOVERNOR PENCE:
Office of the Governor of Indiana - website> http://www.in.gov/gov/2333.htm
[The following is the email I sent to Gov. Pence. I encourage you to also send an encouraging email.]
Dear Governor Pence,
I just wanted you to know that I (and I know millions of others, many in your state of Indiana) STAND WITH YOU on signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law.
I pray that you will continue to stand up against those who are distorting its intent in order to promote their agenda.
I pray that we will have more leaders in our country who act on principle and whether the storms that are stirred by standing up for what is good and right.
Sincerely yours,
Stan M. Yonashiro
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ALSO:"Liberals Get Indy Way of Freedom" - Tony Perkins, Family Research Council, Washington Update, March 31, 2015; http://www.frc.org/washingtonupdate/20150331/liberals-get-indy
"Religious Freedom, the New un-American Activity? - FUNDING TYRANNY" -
By: Eric Metaxas| Breakpoint.org: April 1, 2015; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/12/27124
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