Okay, I know I may be preaching to the choir here, but here is my question of the day. When did we get to the point where we are no longer allowed to conscientiously object to participate? I have been spending way too much time "debating" the whole Indiana "Religious Restoration Act" in Indiana on Twitter. Yes, I "twitter", so sue me.
But, honestly, when did we reach the point where tax-paying American citizens are no longer able to object to participate just because they do not want to? Just because one opens a private business that happens to be on a publicly-funded thoroughfare, why do we lose our right to not to participate in any event for which our religious convictions preclude our participation?
Now, I do not personally object to same-sex marriage, I am not particularly religious, and do not own a private business, but...and that is a big BUT (and by big, I mean Kardashian-butt "big")! Maybe it is bacause I live in a multi-culti city with many kosher businesses, but I just don't understand. Specifically, I know the risk to the neighborhood kosher businesses if I should decide to enter a kosher business with any non-kosher products against posted warnings. They would have to shut down, scrub the place clean, and be re-certified as "kosher" by an annointed Rabbi, so I respect their kosher laws so they can avoid the issue (and selfishly, because if they had to close I would not be able to partake of their delicious, old-fashioned, hand-rolled bagels...).
Why is it not the same for business owners who believe that they cannot participate in same-sex marriage events whether by baking a cake, providing a venue, or taking photographs? Do I agree? No, I do not necessarily. But do I respect their right to not particpate? YES! And I do not agree that businesses that decline to participate in events for which they conscientiously object and who are specifically targeted should be force to participate by threats of lawsuits and violent intimidation.
What do you think?
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But, honestly, when did we reach the point where tax-paying American citizens are no longer able to object to participate just because they do not want to? Just because one opens a private business that happens to be on a publicly-funded thoroughfare, why do we lose our right to not to participate in any event for which our religious convictions preclude our participation?
Now, I do not personally object to same-sex marriage, I am not particularly religious, and do not own a private business, but...and that is a big BUT (and by big, I mean Kardashian-butt "big")! Maybe it is bacause I live in a multi-culti city with many kosher businesses, but I just don't understand. Specifically, I know the risk to the neighborhood kosher businesses if I should decide to enter a kosher business with any non-kosher products against posted warnings. They would have to shut down, scrub the place clean, and be re-certified as "kosher" by an annointed Rabbi, so I respect their kosher laws so they can avoid the issue (and selfishly, because if they had to close I would not be able to partake of their delicious, old-fashioned, hand-rolled bagels...).
Why is it not the same for business owners who believe that they cannot participate in same-sex marriage events whether by baking a cake, providing a venue, or taking photographs? Do I agree? No, I do not necessarily. But do I respect their right to not particpate? YES! And I do not agree that businesses that decline to participate in events for which they conscientiously object and who are specifically targeted should be force to participate by threats of lawsuits and violent intimidation.
What do you think?
