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.
ken. they are a for profit business first of all, and not a church, and those thumpers can still legally discriminate, they are not subject to that law. I mean you have google, google it. They closed their chapel and whined about facing legal consequences even befpore gay marriage was legalized in idaho. These are people playing on your bible-thumping emotions.
It’s NOT ur freedom, It’s for companies….. Republicans have taken freedom of religion for Muslims, freedom to walk the streets minding his/her own business of black and brown people…. Freedom of being who they are for gay people
I will never deny my faith and I follow Jesus Christ , who’s crusifixtion was an actual human event witnessed by many and that’s for all of you who don’t believe… there is no court or judge on this earth that has power over God.
Unbelievable. Yet we deserve it for taking our religionfor granted
Hey govenor…You liberal communist idiot…Have they never heard of the court ouse?? Any judge can perform a wedding ceremony…Truth is you liberals FEAR JESUS CHRIST,and for good reason. When we obey the LORD HIS blessings follow. Do you really want your people to live in abject poverty?? Without the blessings of GOD there will be no protection,and certainly no blessings. attacking christians is no different than attacking Israel. You will have to deal with GOD,and it is written”VENGENCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD,I WILL REPAY.” The only other conclusion I can see is that you liberals in power are actually Satanists.
Tell Idaho to stick up their butt!
Time for churches and pastors to protest and get a good lawyer our rights are being violated
Some judges are even refusing to marry them.
OK let’s start burning down the city halls
When did Idaho get taken over by freedom sucking gov’t nuts?