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.
Idaho of all places. Disappointed!
It’s really getting to be a rotten world when they can stoop this low with your personal beliefs ! Another gift from BARACK OBAMA !
You are all stupid
what happened to separation of church and state?? oh, thats ONLY when its to their advantage!!
Why would they want to be married by someone who is against same sex marriage? They can govto the court house an be married there. Seems ridiculous to me. I think it is a waste of the courts money. Seems like another issue if forcing people to do things they feel is morally wrong like make Catholic docs do abortions….
Wrong…tell the city to Pound Sand!
This is what happens when you allow 30 percent of your population to come from California in the last 10 years.
stand on God’s word used your spiritual gifts that’s why we have them for a time like this.
This is exactly what they said would not happen if gay marriage law was passed, however, I knew it would be just a matter of time before they would attempt this breach of the first Amendment. Back off, and pastors /ministers stand your ground.
Felicia Jones lol ironic this post shows up