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.
That’s not how my country works… I thought it was go to war or go to jail… that’s my country
Next it’s gonna be some muslim $#%&!@* that we have to abide by.. I’ll die with my gun in my hand and they better believe so would most Americans
Government takeover.
I have another option fire the government peeps or relocate
Does separation of Church n State exist anymore or is everyone afraid to play that card. I have no opinion except freedom also is a right. Get more gays ordained n then they can marry whomever. To me it’s about freedom of choice for us all. Gays can’t rant that their freedom’s are being infringed, then turnaround n force another to go along with their beliefs. Beliefs are a personal choice n will vary from person to person. Has absolutely nothing to do w racism, etc!!
Idaho city can go to hell with the FAGS?
God says it’e wrong thats all that needs to be said. It’s an abomination pure and simple
HOPE THEY TELL THEM TO GO TO HELL
I support marriage equity under the law, but not invading churches that believe it is wrong. Gay folks can find plenty of ministers and public officials to marry them instead of doing this. Stop the insanity.
Don’t do gay marriages and go to heaven