Miss. lawmakers feel pressure over religion bill

Associated Press ^ | Mar 7, 2014 7:34 PM EST | Emily Wagster Pettus

[Olog-hai]

Lawmakers in conservative Mississippi find themselves in a tug-of-war over a religious-practices bill that some say is uncomfortably similar to one recently vetoed by Arizona’s Republican governor.

A group that lobbies for the state’s influential Southern Baptist Convention is urging lawmakers to pass the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Others say that Mississippi, with its history of racial oppression, should avoid any law that could lead to discrimination against gay people and other groups. …

[JSDude1]

How about they just make the bill allow anyone to serve any other person they feel like?

Or just give the left their own medicine by stating that they’re passing this bill so that gays who own businesses don’t have to serve ‘intolerant’ Christians (and vice versa)..?

[Salvation]

**Similar religious-freedom bills were filed this year in several states, including Oklahoma, South Dakota and Tennessee. A bill was withdrawn in Ohio, and similar measures stalled in Idaho and Kansas. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill after critics said it would hurt the state’s image by allowing businesses to discriminate against gay people.**

What’s going to happen in Mississippi?

[MuttTheHoople]

I'm not sure what'll happen. Despite its reputation, Mississippi isn't as Conservative as everybody thinks. They talk a good show, but the most admired politicians in Mississippi History (James Eastland, John Stennis, Trent Lott, That Cochran) were/are admired for the Pork they brought back to the State.

Mississippi says it's Socially and Culturally Conservative (even the blacks here are personally VERY Conservative), the State and Federal Legislators tend to be backroom dealcutters not very wedded to principle....and Mississippi voters like well-trained Legislators (they bring home more pork).

[JSDude1]

There’s got be an opening for a conservative group that can take over Mississippi, and then do whatever they can to stick it to the feds in just about every policy area..!???

[SoFloFreeper]

We really need a spiritual revival in America.

A second Reformation.

[Gene Eric]

>> How about they just make the bill allow anyone to serve any other person they feel like?

I agree. The “religion” component is lame in my opinion, but it’s a technique that’s been used successfully by minority groups.

[StonyBurk]

Race is distinct from Religion—as is sexual Orientation distinct from race. The Enemy feeds on Ignorance and FEAR. When laws are passed that do NOT acknowledge or allow exemptions based upon protecting the rights of conscience this is NO longer the United States of America but a nation enslaved by a Queer Nation.I suspect the hubub -Bub is not aboutanything other than the persecution of Christians.