Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho has created an ordinance that forces pastors to marry gays or go to jail and get fined.
This follows the legal battle in the same town with ministers Donald and Evelyn Knapp, who refused to marry a gay couple last year and now face a $1000 per day fine and up to 180 days in jail.
With this the government has decided that religious freedom is subservient to the sexual preference of others.
A federal judge recently ruled that the state’s ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, while the city of Coeur d‘Alene has an ordinance that prevents discrimination based on sexual preference.
The Supreme Court’s recent refusal to take on gay rights’ appeals from five states has opened the doors for same-sex marriages to go forth.
The Knapps were just asked by a gay couple to perform their wedding ceremony, The Daily Caller reported.
“On Friday, a same-sex couple asked to be married by the Knapps, and the Knapps politely declined,” The Daily Signal reported. “The Knapps now face a 180-day jail term and a $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
Absolutely not! Ever!
Marriage isn’t necessarily about religion. Have you never heard of a Christian marrying a Jew, or a Muslim marrying a Christian? It’s about love and a desire to spend ones life with another.
What is wrong with these fools?
Atheist Church???
Not that you care…but the original ruling was because this was not a church…or even a religious ins$#%&!@*ution…they were operating a BUSINESS….a wedding chapel that was a for profit business….and up until that point the wedding chapel provided Civil Unions (as long as you PAID the fee just like everyone else). Idaho has sense reverse it’s decision. This article was posted just to get you worked up because they knew you wouldn’t actually read anything but the $#%&!@*le……..
That story is actually several months old long before the Supreme Court ruling. They have since reverse that decision due to public outcry. As far as I know they are currently operating normally. I’m sure that battle is not over though.
Figured you know the real deal. I like fact checking, and nothing better for real Intel than boots on the ground
If you are going to take the time to writhe all that….why not just take the time to actually look into this case?
It was NOT a church. It was a for profit business (wedding chapel) that even provided civil unions. It NOT a religious ins$#%&!@*ution any more than the wedding chapels in Vegas are. So it did not get religious exemption to the law.
Oh and if you care this was last year and Idaho already reversed their decision…so there is nothing really to argue against…
Isn’t so Strange how they only pick Pastors who follow their Faith, and not make believe liberal idiots pastors, or judges, justice of the peace???????????????
Apparently things have changed since I lived there!