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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
1st amendment, congress shall make no law within respect of religon or the free exercise there of, ….all states ratified the federal cons$#%&!@*ution and are thus obligated the same as the fed to back the fk off!
I’m taking the go to hell exemption
move just outside city limits and set up shop.
Brian..your comments are immature to say the least and your at$#%&!@*ude is downright inexcusable..wake up and realize that the gay community are human beings who work and pay taxes just like everyone else..I used to think that gay people were wrong..mainly because I was ignorant to the fact that anyone has the right to live their life and be happy.Its no ones business what a person does privately …it dosent affect me or you in anyway so ..believe what you want but please don’t spew your judgemental comments ..they absolutely are ridiculous and damaging.
So I guess we are loosing another right. They should not be allowed to be forced to perform a marriage that they do not want to.
wrong
cant force someone to go against their beleifs just bc your booty hurt about hearing the word no
WOE TO THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD AND CALL GOOD EVIL!
I don’t believe this
Bulllllshiiiiiit!!! I kno a pastor that does weddings and knows he is gonna be forced to do gay weddings and he says that if he is,he will under one stipulation. His fee for marrying them will go straight to a conservative donation package.