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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
this is against the cons$#%&!@*ution tell them no to the gay people have there own bible then get there own preachers to do the weddings of the ungodly
Hell is not worth it. Where are the christians, get out there and tell them NO WAY.
Separation of church and state in action the democrap way.
Screw Idaho!
They Should do like the apostles and God rather than man!
My ex father in law was my pastor he is a good man but he would tell you he would not marry gays because he would not go against GOD because he loves him more than anyone he truly loves people but he will not go against GODS LAWS
NO WAY TIME TO STAND UP
Hell no…….you dumb JACK$#%&!@*ES…..!!!
This is America the Home of the Free and the Brave. Our military past and present have fought for this freedom we have. No pastor should be forced to perform a marriage for anyone gay or straight. Read your BIBLE city officials. GOD performed the first wedding in the Garden of Eden when he married Adam and Eve. That is in Genesis first book of the BIBLE. Then read Romans chapter one to get GOD’s view of this issue. Shame on you city officials. The pastors are just obeying GOD’s word in THE HOLY BIBLE.
BS not their right to dictate religious behavior!