The Conservative Christian Movement That Tried To Make Religious Liberty About Homophobia

[cbayer]

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/04/04/3642970/conservatives-tried-failed-make-christianity-anti-lgbt/

BY JACK JENKINS POSTED ON APRIL 4, 2015 AT 12:56 PM UPDATED: APRIL 5, 2015 AT 9:27 AM


CREDIT: AP

Over the past few weeks, the United States has been locked in a heated debate over whether religious business owners have the right to discriminate against others — specifically LGBT people — by citing their spiritual beliefs. The discussion centered around “religious liberty” laws in Indiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Georgia, but many supporters of the bills rooted their arguments in a specific example: should a Christian florist be forced to provide services to a couple who has a same-sex wedding?

The latest articulation of this talking point comes from Melissa Jeffcoat, the owner of a small flower shop in rural Georgia.

Earlier this week, Jeffcoat told CNN journalist Gary Tuchman she would refuse service to a same-sex couple, prompting Tuchman to inquire whether she would sell flowers to someone who has had an affair, since adultery is forbidden by the biblical Ten Commandments.

“Yes,” Jeffcoat said.

Tuchman then asked the obvious followup: “Well, why would you serve them but not serve someone who is gay?”
Jeffcoat’s response: “It’s just a different kind of sin to me and I just don’t believe in it.”

more at link

[stone space]

1. I suppose that to them, the religious liberties of a Christian gay couple doesn't count?

Religious liberty only counts when using said liberty to bash others as an expression of Hate, but not when that religious liberty is an expression of Love.



The Fundies are doin' that whole "religious liberty" thingie all wrong.

They got it all backwards!

[cbayer]

2. Exactly. Religious liberty stops where their beliefs no longer are involved.

[Promethean]

3. The most ironic part of all this.

Homophobia/Anti-homosexual attitudes are rushing towards the same level of taboo that racism has attained. Religious freedom is a subject that is generally popular among most groups. By associating the two they are turning religious freedom into a suspicious idea or phrase. I wonder what the long term consequences will be. I speculate it will result in public displays of religion becoming taboo as the religious freedom justification will lose its veracity.

[cbayer]

4. Interesting theory, up to a point.

I do agree that homophobia is becoming similar to racism, and that's a good thing. I think the Indiana incident may have been a watershed.

While I think the term "religious freedom" will be recognized as the dog whistle for homophobia that it is, I don't think it will lead to religion in general becoming taboo. I think there will be a sharpening of definitions and a growing recognition the the religious right do not speak for the religious. Hopefully, they will become marginalized.