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 $1,000 fine for each day they decline to celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a suit in federal court to stop the city from enforcing the fine and jail sentence, saying in a statement from senior legal counsel Jeremy Tedesco that the government has overstepped its bounds, The Daily Caller reported.
“Many have denied that pastors would ever be forced to perform ceremonies that are completely at odds with their faith, but that’s what is happening here — and it’s happened this quickly,” Mr. Tedersco said, The Daily Caller reported.
But the city sees it differently. As far back as May, city officials were insisting that their ordinance is indeed in line with law.
“If you turn away a gay couple, refuse to provide services for them, then in theory you violated our code, and you’re looking at a potential misdemeanor citation,” said Coeur d‘Alene City Attorney Warren Wilson, to KXLY months ago.
Not true, there are more people on government assistance now than 8 years ago percentage wise, that is not building the middle class that’s tearing it down. More companies have moved away from America because of the over regulations, that’s not building the middle class that’s tearing it down. Before officially taking office Trump has saved jobs and brought jobs. His plan is to lower taxes. That is saving the middle class.
First thing, recall the political parties and elect people who have common sense, second , stop doing all marriages
He didn’t save$#%&!@*big tax for rich ceos did we pay for it …he is with the party that will lower all wages and cut tax for the rich …
Like your state …poverty wages for all
Why does the word gay have to be perverted from its original meaning? These people are anything but happy. These people are nothing more than homosexuals. Freedom of religion tops homosexuals wants. Marriage is between a man and a woman. If homosexuals want a union then they can have that.
First thing the Supreme Court can’t and don’t make the laws. Congress does they haven’t passed that law yet. That being said all the Supreme Court can do is make sure the law is following our constitution. If congress hasn’t passed a law or the state senate hasn’t there isn’t any law
No way
Do you get it..Don’t sell propane gas that heats homes to TRUMP supporters it’s okay..walls free..
You fags can play house all you want but marriage is a religious ceremony
Separation of church and state.