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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
They don’t have to marry people if they don’t want to
F**k the gay marriage b******t. No one can go to jail for not supporting their stupid decisions. Everyone has the right to say no. Preachers shall not face anytime behind bars for sticking with their beliefs.
B******t….
Ridiculous
What the enemy intends for evil God will turn it around for the good and His glory. The wicked government does not own us and can not run our lives. Overthrow the entire government!
Tell them to go$#%&!@*THEMSELVES
We as Americans have the right to choose…what to support and what to embrace …being forced to do something you feel is morally and go against your beliefs is Constitutionally wrong…it’s the freedom to express what you believe is just is what this country was founded upon…and now this tyranacal elitist government is overstepping it’s authority to force this down people’s throats is unjust and agaist everything our country was founded upon
Local government has no power
AND HERE IT IS FOLKS – FREEDOM OF RELIGION – NOT – THIS IS WHY THEY DID IT – THEY WANT ALL RELIGION GONE SO ALL THE LEMMINGS CAN WORSHIP THE GOVERNMENT – well THEY WILL GET THEIR WISH WHEN ALL OF US CHRISTIANS JUST DISAPPEAR ONE DAY – IN A BLINK OF AN EYE
Move your business out of the city limits. Welcome to Obama’s new Amerika, The Great Divider