Hmmm...I thought churches didn't have to worry about performing gay marriages...what about this...

[2aguy]

It is all supposed to be about tolerance of other people...except when that means leaving religious people alone...the first attempts to go after churches are happening and are being beaten back...but this is just the start...like when the lawyers wanted the sermons of ministers...but then they backed off...for now...how about this threat...?

The PJ Tatler Idaho City Threatens to Jail Ministers for Not Performing Gay Weddings

Coeur d’Alene officials told the Knapps privately and also publicly stated that the couple would violate the city’s public accommodations statute once same-sex marriage became legal in Idaho if they declined to perform a same-sex ceremony at their chapel. On Friday, the Knapps respectfully declined such a ceremony and now face up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for each day they decline to perform that ceremony.

“The city somehow expects ordained pastors to flip a switch and turn off all faithfulness to their God and their vows,” explained ADF Legal Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The U.S. Constitution as well as federal and state law clearly stand against that. The city cannot mandate across-the-board conformity to its interpretation of a city ordinance in utter disregard for the guaranteed freedoms Americans treasure in our society.”

 

[Anathema]

Not surprising. The US Government at every level and in almost every location no longer has any idea what morals or values are.

What's next.... A law to force me to ATTEND a same - sex wedding if invited to one?

 

[Wake]

If this is actually happening, it should be opposed with extreme prejudice.

Churches must not be threatened to perform gay marriages if it's against their faith.

 

[Derideo_Te]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

 

[guno]

It is all supposed to be about tolerance of other people...except when that means leaving religious people alone...the first attempts to go after churches are happening and are being beaten back...but this is just the start...like when the lawyers wanted the sermons of ministers...but then they backed off...for now...how about this threat...?

The PJ Tatler Idaho City Threatens to Jail Ministers for Not Performing Gay Weddings

Coeur d’Alene officials told the Knapps privately and also publicly stated that the couple would violate the city’s public accommodations statute once same-sex marriage became legal in Idaho if they declined to perform a same-sex ceremony at their chapel. On Friday, the Knapps respectfully declined such a ceremony and now face up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for each day they decline to perform that ceremony.

“The city somehow expects ordained pastors to flip a switch and turn off all faithfulness to their God and their vows,” explained ADF Legal Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The U.S. Constitution as well as federal and state law clearly stand against that. The city cannot mandate across-the-board conformity to its interpretation of a city ordinance in utter disregard for the guaranteed freedoms Americans treasure in our society.”

The should be able to refuse and the also should lose their tax exempt status in doing so

 

[Wake]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

I disagree. They're a church that performs weddings. I don't see how they must be forced to perform gay weddings, when it directly violates freedom of religion.

 

[bigrebnc1775]

America can now say it is no longer a Christian nation. It is a nation with low morals and perversion.

 

[Derideo_Te]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

I disagree. They're a church that performs weddings. I don't see how they must be forced to perform gay weddings, when it directly violates freedom of religion.

Not according to the City.

Additionally, city officials say the chapel is a for-profit business meaning the owners must comply with local non-discrimination ordinances.

In 2013, the city passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. That ordinance applied to housing, employment and “public accommodation” and exempted religious entities. But city attorney Warren Wilson said in May the Hitching Post would likely be required to follow the ordinance.

Idaho ministers face arrest jail for refusing to perform same-sex weddings - Spokane Conservative Examiner.com

If they were a religious entity they would have been exempted but since they are running a for profit business they have violated the law.

 

[2aguy]

And now we see the way they might go after churches...since churches charge fees...

 

[Derideo_Te]

And now we see the way they might go after churches...since churches charge fees...

Nope!

If it was registered as a church it would be exempt. But according to the city it is registered as a for profit business.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

I disagree. They're a church that performs weddings. I don't see how they must be forced to perform gay weddings, when it directly violates freedom of religion.

Not according to the City.

Additionally, city officials say the chapel is a for-profit business meaning the owners must comply with local non-discrimination ordinances.

In 2013, the city passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. That ordinance applied to housing, employment and “public accommodation” and exempted religious entities. But city attorney Warren Wilson said in May the Hitching Post would likely be required to follow the ordinance.

Idaho ministers face arrest jail for refusing to perform same-sex weddings - Spokane Conservative Examiner.com

If they were a religious entity they would have been exempted but since they are running a for profit business they have violated the law.

In 2013, the city passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

They aren't violating that ordinance.
If a gay guy wants to marry a gay woman, that should be allowed.

 

[Tom Sweetnam]

Castrate "married" queers who want to adopt little boys. Let's see how deep their commitment to family life and the nurturing of a child then.

 

[rightwinger]

Looks like another overreaction from the right

 

[bodecea]

It is all supposed to be about tolerance of other people...except when that means leaving religious people alone...the first attempts to go after churches are happening and are being beaten back...but this is just the start...like when the lawyers wanted the sermons of ministers...but then they backed off...for now...how about this threat...?

The PJ Tatler Idaho City Threatens to Jail Ministers for Not Performing Gay Weddings

Coeur d’Alene officials told the Knapps privately and also publicly stated that the couple would violate the city’s public accommodations statute once same-sex marriage became legal in Idaho if they declined to perform a same-sex ceremony at their chapel. On Friday, the Knapps respectfully declined such a ceremony and now face up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for each day they decline to perform that ceremony.

“The city somehow expects ordained pastors to flip a switch and turn off all faithfulness to their God and their vows,” explained ADF Legal Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The U.S. Constitution as well as federal and state law clearly stand against that. The city cannot mandate across-the-board conformity to its interpretation of a city ordinance in utter disregard for the guaranteed freedoms Americans treasure in our society.”

If this story is even half true, the government has no leg to stand on....if they are ministers and their chapel a church.....they have the total right to refuse to marry anyone based on their religion. However, if they are a business....that might be a different kettle of fish.

 

[bodecea]

And now we see the way they might go after churches...since churches charge fees...

Churches are for profit businesses?

 

[JakeStarkey]

If you are in public business, you can''t refuse to serve any of the public because you don't like their lifestyle.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

And, its for-profit.

Must be about time we refused to pay their damn property taxes.

 

[Anathema]

If you are in public business, you can''t refuse to serve any of the public because you don't like their lifestyle.

Which is why nobody with any sense would ever own a public business. Private Business might be another thing but NEVER a public business.

 

[Katzndogz]

They are a church that did not apply for tax exempt status. They pay taxes.

 

[bodecea]

They are running a business, not a religion.

Hence they fall under business law and must not discriminate.

And, its for-profit.

Must be about time we refused to pay their damn property taxes.

If they are legally considered a church, they are not paying taxes just like a church does not. But, if they are paying like businesses do, they are a business. That's the quickest way to determine.