Bobby Jindal In the New York Times: I’m Holding Firm Against Gay Marriage

New York Times ^ | 04/23/2015 | Bobby Jindal

[SeekAndFind]

BATON ROUGE, La. — THE debate over religious liberty in America presents conservatives and business leaders with a crucial choice.

In Indiana and Arkansas, large corporations recently joined left-wing activists to bully elected officials into backing away from strong protections for religious liberty. It was disappointing to see conservative leaders so hastily retreat on legislation that would simply allow for an individual or business to claim a right to free exercise of religion in a court of law.

Our country was founded on the principle of religious liberty, enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Why shouldn’t an individual or business have the right to cite, in a court proceeding, religious liberty as a reason for not participating in a same-sex marriage ceremony that violates a sincerely held religious belief?

That is what Indiana and Arkansas sought to do. That political leaders in both states quickly cowered amid the shrieks of big business and the radical left should alarm us all.

As the fight for religious liberty moves to Louisiana, I have a clear message for any corporation that contemplates bullying our state: Save your breath.

In 2010, Louisiana adopted a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prohibits government from unduly burdening a person’s exercise of religion. However, given the changing positions of politicians, judges and the public in favor of same-sex marriage, along with the potential for discrimination against Christian individuals and businesses that comes with these shifts, I plan in this legislative session to fight for passage of the Marriage and Conscience Act.

The legislation would prohibit the state from denying a person, company or nonprofit group a license, accreditation, employment or contract — or taking other “adverse action” — based on the person or entity’s religious views on the institution of marriage.

[SeekAndFind]

But will he remain steadfast if:

1) The governor of other states threaten to boycott Louisiana

2) Huge companies threaten to boycott Louisiana

WE SHALL SEE....

[SeekAndFind]

As if to anticipate my questions above, here is what Jindal wrote in the article:

Some corporations have already contacted me and asked me to oppose this law. I am certain that other companies, under pressure from radical liberals, will do the same. They are free to voice their opinions, but they will not deter me. As a nation we would not compel a priest, minister or rabbi to violate his conscience and perform a same-sex wedding ceremony. But a great many Americans who are not members of the clergy feel just as called to live their faith through their businesses. That’s why we should ensure that musicians, caterers, photographers and others should be immune from government coercion on deeply held religious convictions.

[mrsmel]

I would love to believe that at least one man has faced the fact that his principles might not keep him in office, if it comes to that, and has made the decision to live or die, politically, by his principles. It would be a new thing in 21st C America.

[mlizzy]

In my opinion, he will not bend. One of our best politicians around.

[Oliviaforever]

That NFL will use this against Louisiana and not schedule any more Super Bowls in New Orleans and the NCAA will also pull major events out of the state.

[mrsmel]

I think you’re right. It’s notable that he didn’t leave himself any wriggle room, unasked.

[Oliviaforever]

Except for big sporting events and conventions, there is not a whole lot of business in Louisiana and the business that is in the state, like refining and oil production cannot be moved.

[Drawsing]

Thank you Bobby Jindal!! Please stand firm and I will pray that others follow your example!

[SeekAndFind]

RE: refining and oil production cannot be moved.

Any CEO, Director or manager worth his salt is not going to move operations from one place to another simply because of a silly thing like gay marriage.

[Amendment10]

Thank you for referencing that article SeekAndFind. Please bear in mind that the following critique is directed at the article and not at you.

Even if Gov. Jindal fully supported gay marriage, so what? The states have never amended the Constitution to expressly protect gay agenda issues like gay marriage. So regardless what Gov. Jindal says about gay marriage, the states are free to make laws which prohibit constitutionally unprotected gay marriage, as long as such laws do not also unreasonably abridge constitutionally enumerated rights such as 1st Amendment protect freedom of religious expression.

[greene66]

To repeat myself a bit from an earlier thread... I do actually believe Jindal is one of the few GOP-er’s who will stand tall and refuse to give in to pressure. Religion is taken deadly seriously in the state, and in addition, Louisiana has a certain historical strain of populism in which threats from corporate CEO’s would more than likely have quite an opposite effect than intended.

Companies start boycotting the state, and the state might be willing to just throw them the hell out. I remember not too long ago when restaurants that dared to use imported, foreign crawfish on their menus happened to mysteriously burn down in the middle of the night.

[Organic Panic]

I really like Jindal. He has been one of the best attack dogs to take on Obama.