I wanted to share my thoughts on Indiana, RFPA, and 'Freedom of Conscience,' and specifically the incident regarding the Pizza Establishment:
'Freedom of Conscience' is the foundation to all freedoms we deem essential in this country. You cannot have 'freedom of speech' and 'freedom of assembly' without 'freedom of conscience.'
In the example of the "Memories Pizza' establishment in Indiana, the owner said they would NOT discriminate against ANYONE who wanted to come in and purchase pizza; that is, if someone came in and wanted an immediate item to consume, they would provide it regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Then, a 'theoretical question' was asked, "Would you cater a Gay Wedding?'
At this point the owner is being asked, at some future date, to participate in a 'Rite' or 'Ceremony' they may disagree with, and as such, they have a right, under their freedom of conscience to not participate.
I was asked once by a friend to be a 'Godparent' - I told the friend I did not share their beliefs and said they would be better served by someone who did share their beliefs. This is the same answer I would give if I owned a 'business establishment' and was asked to involve myself in a 'ceremony' I did not believe in.
Freedom of speech means people are going to say things you don't agree with; Freedom of conscience means people are going to BELIEVE and DO THINGs you don't agree with; But you can't have one without the other. If a person can't act on their beliefs, because you disagree with them, then WE have no freedom and no liberty.
In each case above, as long as they don't harm others in what they believe or do, we need to accommodate the speech and beliefs of those we disagree.
In the case of a Business Establishment refusing to participate in a 'Rite' or 'Ceremony,' NO HARM is done to anyone - there are plenty of pizza shops, florists, cake bakers, etc. to accommodate you if they personally don't want to be involved in your ceremony.
In fact I would argue as artisans, 'cake makers', 'florists', and 'others' need greater freedom (than say the guy that does your laundry) with respect to whether they want to participate in a 'ceremony' - I've always wanted those I've contracted out for weddings to 'feel the vibe' and 'spiritually connect' when they are asked to perform a service. Why even approach someone to involve themselves in a ceremony if they don't want to participate?
If however, you believe (as many seem to be suggesting) the State should have the power to compel someone to act against their conscience, and force them to participate in a 'ceremony' they deem 'religious' and don't believe in, then you're setting the cause of Liberty and Freedom back 500 years; when mobs and lawyers were more than willing to haul citizens before magistrates if they dared to defy laws and teachings over 'freedom of conscience'.
Excellent. :)
“Would you cater a Gay Wedding?’”
“Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all ships at sea,” FLASH! PIZZA SHOP THAT DOES NOT CATER, WILL NOT CATER A GAY MARRIAGE!
FLASH! CALL OUT THE FURRIES!
FLASH! DRIVE THEM OUT OF BUSINESS!
FLASH! FORCE THEM TO SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS!
FLASH! FORCE THEM TO WEAR THE UNCLEAN TAG!