The Gaystapo Assault On Freedom of Religion

The gaystapo strikes again.  Political Realities recently posted about two Christians in New York who own the Liberty Ridge Farm and host events such as weddings and receptions.  When two lesbians contacted them about holding their gay wedding on the premises the farm owners declined, based on their Christian convictions against same-sex marriage.  The lesbians filed a complaint with the New York Human Rights Commission, which ruled against the Christians and said since the farm is a public accommodation they are not allowed to discriminate against homosexuals.  They further ordered the owners, Robert and Cynthia Gifford, to pay a $10,000 fine, give $1,500 to each lesbian and send all their staff to anti-discrimination re-education classes.

And now the Giffords have announced they will “no longer host any wedding ceremonies on their property.”  They would rather do that and stay true to their convictions than be compelled by the government to violate their religious principles and host homosexual weddings.

The Blaze – The Alliance Defending Freedom said the Giffordses should have the right to hold and exercise their religious views without the “threat of government punishment.”

The Giffordses and their attorneys believe that the family has been punished for taking a biblical position and for exercising their First Amendment rights.

“The government should not force anyone to participate in or celebrate an event that violates their faith and beliefs. However, that’s exactly what the state of New York has done to the Giffords,” the firm said. “The Giffords serve all people with respect and care. They have hired homosexual employees and have hosted events for same-sex couples.”

Anyone who doesn’t believe freedom of religion is under direct assault in this country needs to pull their head out of the sand.  All over the country Christian business owners are being told that their rights to religious freedom are null and void.  The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  How is it possible to not be violating the First Amendment when telling a business owner that they must violate their religious convictions or pay a huge fine for refusing to do so? 

The left has become very adept at convincing the uneducated that ‘separation of church and state’ is in the Constitution and that the First Amendment freedom of religion is actually freedom from religion.  The fictional right to not be offended seems to be taking judicial precedence over the Constitutional right to freedom of religion.  The Supreme Court has ruled in recent years that the government should only impose a burden to violate personal religious beliefs when doing so is necessary to advance a compelling government interest.  What is the compelling government interest in forcing farm owners to host a lesbian wedding?

The goal of the left is to redefine marriage and to force that new definition on Christians through government coercion.  When leftists are in charge of the government, and they certainly are in the People’s Republic of New York, it becomes a compelling government interest to use the power of the government to advance the leftist, anti-Christian agenda.  Constitutional rights are no longer relevant. 

It was in the news recently that the percentage of the population that is homosexual is actually 1.5%, far below the percentage that the gay community would prefer people believe it is.  One article I read about the Giffords took the position that 1.5% of the population should not be able to dictate to Christians how to run their business.  That is a poor position to take.  Be it 1.5%, 15% or 75%, no business owner should be forced to give up their First Amendment rights in order to keep the doors open. 

But the left says just the opposite.  Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in July that Americans have a choice between living by their faith or doing business.  “You’re born with a religion or you adopt a religion,” he said.  “You have to obey the precepts of that religion and the government gives you a wide penumbra – you don’t have to form a corporation.”

So Senator, if it is your position that opening a business means giving up the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion, why stop there?  Should business owners no longer have the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures?  Or the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination?  Why is it only the First Amendment right to freedom of religion that is flushed down the toilet when opening a business?

Clearly, the left is advancing their religion – humanism, and will use the government to do so.  Christians are in the way.  Count on the gaystapo to continue their assault on Christians.