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.
Good lord Idaho…you were once known as a conservative refuge!
Government can’t come into churches and tell us what to do. Separation of church and state, also religious freedom.
AMEN to that. Got to get Donald J. Trump elected or all other rights and Freedoms are gone.
By the same people who scream “separation of church and state”.
Bull they are violating freedom of religion rights and that’s not allowed !!!
Do gay marriages and go to hell
Let them have their legal marriage. They can get it done at the courthouse and leave everyone else out of it. Forcing a pastor or anyone else to go against their beliefs is b******t. Even if I do not believe myself. It’s a matter of self sovereignty. Live as you see fit as long as you are not physically hurting anyone else.
We as a country sure went from gays and lesbians not being legally able to get married to prosecuting preachers and pastors for refusing to perform gay and lesbian marriages pretty damned quick !
Now I personally dont care what or who you marry but this is b******t ! Guess obama wants it to be OK he’s with a transgender ! Obama Americas firs GAY Muslim President , ain’t that some$#%&!@*to tell your grandkids in the future ! Oh wait its hard to reproduce if you are having sex with a person that’s the same gender !
Population Control !!!!
Government has no business telling a church what they have to do
That’s total BS! Tell them to go to the court house to get married by a justice of the piece! They can’t force, or arrest a man of faith for refusing! ITS ILLEGAL!