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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
Wow, i think that is against the constitution some where.
Swringband, wrong, wrong,,godvsatscgayas arexabpn abomination tomhim
This is wrong they can finre some one else to do it ministers have rights as anyone else
Coeur d’Alene used to be the bedroom of the far right wingers. What happened?
That can’t be true! What happened to freedom of religion?
pastors don’t get federal money or state money or country money….AND SO THEY CAN’T SEND THEM TO JAIL…WITHOUT GETTING A GIANT LAW SUIT….
The Maoist purge has begun. Churches will have to move underground.
This is turning into a communist country…they’re starting to force their beliefs on everyone. That’s what the$#%&!@*s did, and that communist have done and now this liberal democratic controlled government is doing the same…
This is a choice. The government has no right to dictate this directive…
Is this c**p really happening?????