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.
Tell them to insist on homosexual marriagesbeing done in mosques first. Until then they need to stay out of our lives.
Looks like we are living in the last days the Bible talks about.
They cannot make them do it
That is not right or American! That is like going to a Steakhouse and ordering Chinese food. The waitress tells you that they don’t cook Asian food. You get upset and demand they go to jail if they don’t cook what you want. Where you can go down the street and get what you want. This country is going down the drain! Killary wants open borders and if she gets elected, we all lose!
Good deal
No matter what side of this debate your on… We still have a 1st Amendment! This shows what living in a country run by Left Wing Progressive Liberal Democrat Socialists get you! Constitution means nothing to them!
jail time for me
Little Sisters of the Poor is in pursuit of the Obama administration, not the other way around.
Tell the city to go to hell!
GASTOPO !!!!!