Posted on 10/23/2014 2:34:44 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Idaho couple Donald and Evelyn Knapp, ordained ministers and owners of the Hitching Post Lakeside Chapel of Coeur d'Alene, are facing thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time for refusing to host gay wedding ceremonies, which the city claims violates its anti-discrimination ordinance. The couple has since filed their business as a religious organization, which means they might be saved by an Idaho law that protects religious freedom.
Jeremy Tedesco, senior legal counsel for the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom legal organization, told The Christian Post that while Coeur d'Alene has an ordinance saying that under "public accommodation" businesses cannot discriminate, state law offeres a possible exemption for the Knapps.
"In addition to our federal claims (i.e. First Amendment), our complaint brings a cause of action under the Idaho Free Exercise of Religion Protected Act," Tedesco said. "[Under] Idaho Code § 73–401 et seq., this state law says 'government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion ...'"
Tedesco recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Knapps in district court, as well as a motion to provide immediate relief.
"We are now waiting for the court to decide whether to grant or deny our request for a temporary restraining order," Tedesco said. "By filing a motion for a temporary restraining order, we are asking the court to act as soon as possible and order the city not to enforce its ordinance against the Knapps while our case proceeds."
City officials, who did not provide comment to CP by press time, have argued that the Hitching Post is in violation of ordinance §9.56, which bars facilities of public accommodation from discrimination.
According to the ordinance, this discrimination can include denying "any person because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, the full enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges of any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement."
When asked by CP if religious institutions such as churches and church-owned properties are exempt from ordinances like the one in Coeur d'Alene, Tedesco said, "Same-sex marriage advocates have always said that pastors would 'never' be forced to perform same-sex marriages. Well, 'never' came quick as pastors are being threatened with jail and criminal fines for not participating in ceremonies that contradict the definition of marriage."
He continued, "No one is safe — even religious institutions currently exempt under this ordinance and others are on notice. It's foolish to depend on the very same politicians and bureaucrats who have already threatened pastors with six months in jail and $1,000 per day to respect anyone's freedom."
"Under this ordinance, our clients face up to up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine each day they follow their religious beliefs and ministerial vows and decline to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony."
Speaking about the Knapps decision to file as a religious organization in an effort to gain exemption from performing gay wedding ceremonies at their chapel, Coeur d'Alene Councilman Dan Gookin told Fox News, "I understand that the way the law is currently written right now that the religious freedom has a priority. It trumps that other desire of mine to see more equality in that area."
Why would anyone want to be married by someone who did not want to marry them?
I can understand expecting the city clerk to do a civil wedding without a peep of personal opinion, but if you’re choosing anyone else, wouldn’t you want someone who gets all warm and fuzzy about it?
RE: Why would anyone want to be married by someone who did not want to marry them?
In order to prove a point.
This is not about them wanting to getting married. This is about FORCING the issue — using the power of government to COERCE acceptance. It has always been like that since the Colorado baker was forced to bake a cake for a gay wedding.
To force an agenda upon a society that doesn't accept the agenda.
Idaho Couple Facing Fines, Jail Time for Not Hosting Gay Weddings May Be Saved by State Law
____________________________________________
State Law??? pssh.
What some stupid State Law got to do with anything when some black robed thug can capriciously overtun that law as unconstitutional.
Or worse - Some Prosecutor can try the Knapp’s for violating the Civil Rights of queers.
It seems that, increasingly, tolerance is a one-way street.
Gay/Nazidom is here
Coeur d’Alene Councilman Dan Gookin told Fox News, “I understand that the way the law is currently written right now that the religious freedom has a priority. It trumps that other desire of mine to see more equality in that area.”
Dan, your desire, is NOT law.
I know you wish it were but it isn’t.
Mark my words: Within 20 years, the true Church will be driven underground by “public accommodation” orthodoxy...
In “LGBT”, the “T” stands for Tyranny.
What does Shria Law say about same sex marriage?
They aren’t denying anyone anything. They marry one man to one woman. Same-sex marriage is not a service they offer.
It is like me suing a car dealership for refusing to fix my TV.
OFF with their heads!!
Just as the Colorado bakers were willing to bake for gay people, just not to violate their faith by participating in a perverse parody of a wedding through providing a wedding-specific cake, I assume these people are willing to rent out their property to perverts, just not to violate their faith by participating in a perverse parody of a wedding. The accommodations are open, even to perverts, it's the personal service in opposition to God that is being denied.
The idea that anyone would think they could have either a legal a right or any power to compel others to defy God is disgusting at a level that I thought even the far left would never reach. Today's Liberals disgust me.
RE: What does Sharia Law say about same sex marriage?’
It can’t exist under Sharia. People with same sex attraction are executed.
Bringing that kind of karma into your “marriage” would do it no good, whether the coerced party complied or went out of business.
Looney Gestapo Bastards Tyranny
The goat has to be at least 12.
If I am a clergyman, then I can only perform marriages in accordance with the rules of my denomination. I cannot do otherwise. A rabbi cannot perform a Catholic ceremony. Neither can a priest perform a Jewish ceremony. If a denomination defines marriage as between a man and a woman then that is how it must be. If two people of the same sex wish to be married, then the ceremony must be performed in the auspices of a denomination that uses that definition of marriage.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.