Religious Liberties Religious liberties is a highly debatable subject with very passionate supporters and opponents which has caused a major division in the country. This disagreement is present between the two major political parties with the Republican Party as supporters while the Democratic Party currently leads the opposition. The current debate is focused on whether the government should allow owners to refuse service to people based on their sexual preference citing a religious objection (Smith). Opponents want the federal government to extend anti discrimination laws to not allow owners the right to refuse to people solely based on their sexual preference (Badash). They especially cite the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 which banned
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This attitude is clearly revealed in Leviticus 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Slick). This demonstrates that homosexuality is clearly condemn in the bible. This sentiment goes even more in depth in Leviticus 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them” (Slick). This statement is nothing short from harsh towards homosexual individuals. This leaves us with no questions that homosexuality is not accepted in the bible. As we know it is not acceptable for Christians to start killing homosexuals as encouraged in the bible, the real question is what are the limits to religious liberties? The first amendment forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices. It is clear how the limits can bring a heated debate when even constitutional scholars disagree on what this and other statements in the constitution mean. This is often cited by people who want to be able to refuse service because as mentioned earlier, is more than clear that Christianity condemns homosexuality. They argue that what they are asking for is not much to ask and it is only facilitating them to enjoy the liberty expressed in the first amendment (Badash). Opponents often argue that they already have the right to practice their religion freely but imposing their values to others it is not adequate. The real question is whether protecting religious freedom is more important than ensuring people are treated with dignity when buying something, only for the way they are. It is a fact that 70.6 percent of people in the United States and 3.5 percent of people identify as either homosexual or
This attitude is clearly revealed in Leviticus 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Slick). This demonstrates that homosexuality is clearly condemn in the bible. This sentiment goes even more in depth in Leviticus 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them” (Slick). This statement is nothing short from harsh towards homosexual individuals. This leaves us with no questions that homosexuality is not accepted in the bible. As we know it is not acceptable for Christians to start killing homosexuals as encouraged in the bible, the real question is what are the limits to religious liberties? The first amendment forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices. It is clear how the limits can bring a heated debate when even constitutional scholars disagree on what this and other statements in the constitution mean. This is often cited by people who want to be able to refuse service because as mentioned earlier, is more than clear that Christianity condemns homosexuality. They argue that what they are asking for is not much to ask and it is only facilitating them to enjoy the liberty expressed in the first amendment (Badash). Opponents often argue that they already have the right to practice their religion freely but imposing their values to others it is not adequate. The real question is whether protecting religious freedom is more important than ensuring people are treated with dignity when buying something, only for the way they are. It is a fact that 70.6 percent of people in the United States and 3.5 percent of people identify as either homosexual or