Indiana and Arkansas' RFRA Bills

It is a sad day when we are fighting in the United States of America over a right that has already been granted hundreds of years ago by the Constitution of the United States of America. I am talking about the rights granted by the First Amendment. It reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Neither the Indiana or Arkansas bills would be necessary if it weren't for the fact that Christians are being forced to close their business' and fined for standing up for their religious beliefs, the free exercise of which is guaranteed by the Amendment above. When one is a "good" Christian he tries his best to live by the precepts and principles that Christ taught. The same could and should be said for anyone else who is a "good" religionist (if you will). If one is a "good" buddhist he tries to live by what Buddha taught, hindu by what their leader taught and even a muslim by what Mohammed taught. 

Let me say right here, I am not trying to compare the beliefs of these different religions. I am simply saying that if one believes in something be it a religion, idea, concept, principle, or relationship that is usually a large part (if not the main thing) that governs their life. That is what it means to be a faithful follower of whatever or whomever one believes in. 

How do I know one is a buddhist,a muslim, a hindu, or a Christian? I know either because they have told me that is what they are or I have, at some point, observed it in their life. I have seen them practice the teachings and principles of that faith. Genuine faith should be a lifestyle and so as one practices what they believe to be their "genuine" faith that should become their lifestyle. That faith should govern one's life. It should govern their method of worship, their moral convictions, their ideas, their relationship with their fellow man, their core practices. It should be that upon which their principles are based. 

Think this through with me: If we agree that one's "religion" should govern their core beliefs and they should act accordingly but do not then we label that person a hypocrite. If I believe in something strong enough to allow it to govern my life in the sense about which we have been talking then I can label that something my religion or lifestyle. Well then, that leaves us at the point where there may be many things that could be called a religion or lifestyle. And because I am an American citizen and live in this great country I am free (or at least always have been) to practice my religion/lifestyle however I so choose if it does not harm anyone else. Obviously, we must have laws to protect those who cannot defend themselves (i.e., the unborn, babies, the elderly, the mentally incapacitated, etc,). I think you get my point. But, I have no right, nor do you, my friend, to force someone else to be a hypocrite if what I believe and if living my lifestyle does not harm them in any way. 

Do I have a right to force another person to believe my way? No, I do not, not in a free society. I may  have  an obligation to share my beliefs with someone else but beyond that the acceptance of those beliefs by the person with whom I share them is the decision of that person. The same applies, or always has up until recently, if one opens their own business. 

If I open a business and am in adherence with the business laws of my state and federal government I have a right to operate it the way I believe is best. Upon what do I base that belief? Market trends, industry standards, legal practices, and many other things may be some of the things upon which I base my belief on how to do business.

But wait! Didn't we agree earlier that one's religion should govern what they do, what they practice, how they live? Therefore, how I run and operate my business should, also, govern how I do business and what I will allow to take place in that business. Who I will cater to, who my customer base will be, what prices I will charge, whether or not I give someone a discount all are up to me, the business owner. I have a right to refuse service to anyone because it is my business. 

Businesses have been refusing to serve certain customers or potential customers since time began. You can read on almost any store window the sign that says, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service". What! They are refusing business to a customer that comes in without either shoes or a shirt? Yes, they are! It has long been a practice of bars to refuse to serve patrons who are too drunk for their own safety or the safety of those around them. They, also, have to refuse serving an alcoholic beverage to a minor.

So, based on the fact that we believe our "religion" should govern our lifestyle are we obligated to force our beliefs on others? We could even say that homosexuality is a religion. But is it a "religion" to which I have to "convert"? Remember we said we may have an obligation to tell someone about our religion but we do not have the right to force our religion on someone else? Then why is it that those who practice homosexuality want to force this "religion" on those business owners who are entitled by law to refuse them service?

Why are those who practice the homosexual "religion" so intolerable of my lifestyle, religion, business practices, etc. while "preaching" tolerance to me? Remember, if I say I believe in something but don't practice it than I am a hypocrite. Doesn't that include the preaching of tolerance? I think it does.

All I am saying is this: If you want to practice homosexuality, that is your right. I have a right to speak out against it just as you have a right to speak our against Christianity, that is what makes us a free society. I am not coming into your establishment demanding that every homosexual dance with someone of the opposite gender because it upsets me to see you dance with someone of the same sex. I am not telling you to change your lifestyle for me. Is it really so wrong that I ask the same response from you toward me?

It has always been a business owners right to refuse service to anyone and it should continue to be.