(AZ) House panel votes in favor of expanded religious-belief rights for individuals and businesses

[rug]

2/6/2014 9:07:00 AM
Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services

PHOENIX -- Rejecting claims it will lead to discrimination, a House panel voted 5-2 Tuesday to give individuals and the businesses they own more rights to refuse to provide services based on their religious beliefs.

The vote by the Government Committee came despite comments from several individuals that the measure would allow anyone to claim a "sincerely held' religious belief as an defense in discrimination lawsuits.

"This bill allows anyone who should normally comply with state or local laws that are neutral to claim that those laws burden their religious beliefs,' said Rep. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix.

But Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, sponsor of HB 2153, said it protects business owners from being forced to do anything that would violate their faith.

http://www.cvbugle.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=41341

[msongs]

1. more ways for christians to discriminate against people with other religious beliefs nt

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2. I take it you didn't read the entire article.

But the Rev. Andrew Barreras of the Reformed Catholic Church, said he sees it different.

"It opens a scenario for religions to practice bigotry based on their religious belief,' he said.

Several foes raised scenarios they said approval of the measure might allow, like a motel owner who sees Muslims as "infidels' to refuse to provide them a room, even if it is the only room available in town.

[kimbutgar]

3. More tax payer money wasted by the republican taliban

Arizona is becoming a loony state like Florida and Texas.

I just got back from there glad to be back in saner California.

[rug]

4. It's yet another political stunt.

[cbayer]

5. Bad news. Are we to go back to Jim Crow?

Hopefully this will fail.

Arizona is getting worse and worse. AZ democrats are going to have to work very hard to try and change some of this.

They could start with equal rights for GLBT people.