I was giving this a lot of thought
So you say. Let's see what you said.
I wonder if taking away the freedom to discriminate against people of different races actually takes away our ability to make moral choices for ourselves.
It does, believe it or not. You can't take away the freedom of someone to follow their moral conscience.
I know it is wrong to discriminate on this basis but taking away that choice from others might take away the right to make moral choices for themselves.
Nice catch.
The freedom of religion implies that we have the right to pursue what we think is right since two different religions might have opposite moral codes example: satanism vs Christianity.
It isn't so much one religion versus another in this issue, its religion vs secularism. And secularism is winning. The religious have no leaders in America.
Clearly we can choose either religion (or none at all) which means we can decide what we think is right based on our freedom to associate with our church.
Not just freedom to associate with our church, but with anyone we choose. For example, if I was a restaurateur, and a gay couple comes in and wishes to eat in my establishment, I would gladly say "right this way, here is your table and your menu."
On the flip side, if that same couple walked in and asked me to cater their wedding, I would say "No, I don't cater. And I wouldn't want to associate with something with which I believe is wrong. Here is a phone book, feel free to browse."
What if someone really doesn't think there is nothing wrong with discriminating based on race?
Discriminating against someone because of their race is a crime. You can think it is okay, but you are obligated by law to treat them equally. However, if your religious texts specifically point out that one form of marriage is sacrosanct over the other, then naturally condoning the other would be a sin according to your religion. Big difference between being gay and being black or white. You don't know who is gay.
Does the first amendment mean that anti discrimination laws are unconstitutional.?
Some can be. Others aren't. If a law forces you to oblige something your religion deems a sin, that means your freedom to adhere to the tenets of your faith has been compromised, and consequently your freedom of religion has been infringed upon.
However, on the other hand, your religion can call for not discriminating against people at all, in that case you have no issue and can freely obey the law to the full extent. There is no religious basis in Christianity for discriminating against blacks, but plenty of evidence in the Bible to suggest to the contrary for gays and homosexuals, when being forced to participate in their wedding ceremonies, that is.