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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
so disgusted, I got married there, and they are kind, caring people
It won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last that Men and Women of Jesus were jailed for professing steadfast Faith in Gods Word.
Most preachers I knew of only accepted tips..not payed as in doing a job..now whether that tip is,200.or 50…How can they actually make,someone do this?
No one on this page cares about facts …
if you let them they will continue to do what they want you to do tell them hell no
If you actually research the story they were operating a FOR PROFIT BUSINESS (Chapel) and subject to anti-discrimination laws…they have since reversed their decision.
I am not giving up my beliefs for no one, god is my father and he is my maker , The Cons$#%&!@*ution is still alive and it will always be !!!
And it’s not a church…it’s a business…and they have since reversed their decision…this is a non-story meant to p**s you off to drive ad revenue.
Time to move out of these cities. Spend your money in cities that honor the rights of everyone!
I say for churches to take back their divine duty in performing and blessing marriages and recording them in the churches only without a form recorded by a civil licensing office. Let people of other persuasions go to the licensing office. Of course this will cause something’s to be addressed such as social security benefits and medical insurance issues. But the truly devout may have no choice.