Posted on 10/25/2014 5:02:09 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Authorities in Coeur d'Alene Idaho have buckled under the pressureof nationwide outrage at their threat to jail two ordained ministers for not performing gay marriage in their wedding chapel and declared the "Hitching Post" wedding chapel exempt from their "non-dsicrimination" law.
The city has been embroiled in controversy ever since the owners of the Hitching Post sued the city. They say a city anti-discrimination law threatened to force them to marry same-sex couples now that gay marriage is legal in Idaho.
The story lit up conservative and gay-rights blogs. Wedding chapel owners Donald and Evelyn Knapp said they feared jail time or fines if they declined marriage services to a same-sex couple.
Initially, the city said its anti-discrimination law did apply to the Hitching Post, since it is a commercial business. Earlier this week, Coeur d'Alene city attorney Mike Gridley sent a letter to the Knapps’ attorneys at the Alliance Defending Freedom saying the Hitching Post would have to become a not-for-profit to be exempt.
But Gridley said after further review, he determined the ordinance doesn’t specify non-profit or for-profit.
“After we've looked at this some more, we have come to the conclusion they would be exempt from our ordinance because they are a religious corporation,” Gridley explained.
Court filings show the Hitching Post reorganized earlier this month as a “religious corporation.” In the paperwork, the owners describe their deeply held beliefs that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
The Knapps' attorney said the city is about to be tested on its approach. He said the Knapps have been contacted by the police about a complaint filed on Thursday by a same-sex couple who were turned away at the Old West themed chapel.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
There are plenty of open cells at Guantanamo for his kind.
The court system is not going to protect christians and their rights.
Temporary reprieve at best.
Never give up the fight! God, family, country!
Ping!
It’s great news that the political leaders responsible for this outrageous violation of the constitution, felt the pressure of a nation-wide uprising in support of the Christians under attack. Way to go Christian America!
The first thing they must do is make it clear to every local elected official that if this wicked ordinance is not repealed forthwith, they will all be fired.
Then sent the same message to state officials. If you enforce this lawless decree from the tyrants in black robes, you will lose your jobs as well.
And then back it up.
Daniel and his companions didn't bow down (and they were very young men, threatened with loss of life, not merely vocation or income) the Alliance Defending Freedom have a great case to cut their collective teeth on.
I still say that their city hall needs an exorcism...
Has the “Lobby” taken on a mosque yet or an Islamic-owned business?
For all their talk of Freedom the homonazis are quick to advocate the end of Freedom for dissenters
Praise be to God....
Now if we can get Houston to back down.
any thought of two homosexuals demanding that an IMAM marry them....is almost beyond imagination.
Thank you much for the Ping. And the good news. I really wonder though how this is supposed play out with their “legislation”.
Thanks SeekAndFind.
An ordinance that doesn’t protect non-profits could hit any church owned venue like a reception hall.
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