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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
Where do we live Russia??!! No way should this happen in America we have a Cons$#%&!@*ution to protect us. If gays want to get married go to your own church or hey how about a Mosque ???!!!
Rick when do you want to $#%&!@*emble to march. I’m in.
God made Adam and eve not erick and john….
So wrong.
Go to jail.
Get a gay pastor to do the job
This kind of stuff has got to stop!
Not right
Welcome to the New World Order.
OK people, I’m all for live and let live, but this is going to far! Our president takes God, family vertues, and our rights,( earned by so many lives and so much blood),away…now here you come with your newly earned right, and amplify the chase God out of church… Use your heads folks your helping the fall of this once great country! Please, please stop suing people who have as much right to say no as you do to get married, if you’re not helping we don’t need you!!