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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
Move from that damn place!
Satan is alive and well in the Loony Left Commie Lib$#%&!@* DemonRAT jack$#%&!@* party.
Time for the church and the members to move, and take their money with them….
TOTALLY !!!! DISGUSTING !!!!!
No way
Hello Jail
Awesome – they want to be TAX EXEMPT $#%&!@*phobes
Tell Idaho to go to hell they have no right telling pastors what to do
If an ORDAINED Minister refuses to marry someone not of their faith, or who is not in good standing with the teachings of the faith, They can and should refuse. If you disagree with the teachings of a Faith, Then start your own, which will accept your choices, or who do not believe you are not living outside its teachings. Grow UP and be tolerant of others. As a Christian, why would I ask a Rabbi, or an Cleric to marry me, when I do not share their beliefs. Wanting tolerance, and becoming tyrants do not go hand in hand.
This is wrong ~ LET THEM GO
TO A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE!!!