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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
No to “Gay Marriages”
This is wrong !! Don’t you people realize by forcing people to do what they don’t want to do or because of religious beliefs that you turning them against the gays even more !! Remember gay bashing ??
Pastor’s should not be forced to marry anyone, period.
What the hell is going on with the militia groups that area is known for! Don’t they have the balls to take care of this?
Gays have No place in a Church Wedding but in attendance.. the State has no say in the Church Wedding… The place that tries to bind gays before GOD is Sacrilage and is by no means a Church.
Then let’s go,,,
This the lesson in Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord hates this bad behavior so he destroyed it completely. fire and brimstone raining.
Jesus christ is real miracle cross i found on my wrapped up donair pizza i prayed in private for a living sign of christ he answered to me…
The town has no cons$#%&!@*utional standing
Jesus christ almighty will save his believers poor in spirit paradise
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Hell death sin and satan the devil the antichrist will be destroyed in lake of fire second spiritual death