Saturday, April 7, 2012

Gay Rights Vs. Religious Liberty



Many cases have been popping up around the U.S. concerning the clash of gay rights, and religious liberty. Recently, a home based photography company in Albuquerque has received substantial public uproar as they have been thrust into the center of a new controversy. When a same-sex couple asked the owner of the company about photographing their commitment ceremony, she responded that she would be unable to fulfill their requests. Shortly after,  a complaint was filed with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission which developed into a case. The owner of the  business argued that when she had started her artistic career, she promised herself that she would never photograph anything she didn't agree with. Being of a strong, Christian faith, she viewed same-sex marriages as morally wrong. The court, however, did not find this an acceptable response and fined the business owner on the basis of discrimination.
There are two conflicting ideas here that we must somehow find a middle ground for. One is that of supporters of same-sex marriage (which is now at 70% of adults aged 18-35), and the other being the idea of religious freedom. As public opinion has evolved to prefer gay rights, the laws are slowly changing to benefit gays and lesbians. This has been an uphill battle lasting decades, still with a long way to go to make it to equality. Just as discriminating against an African-American or a handicapped person as applicants for an apartment, telling a gay or lesbian that they cannot rent an apartment due to their orientation is wrong as well. On the other hand, it is explicitly stated in the constitution that we have the right to religion. To tell a Christian pastor that they MUST wed two grooms, no matter what his opinions on the matter is just as wrong. Can a middle ground be found?
My opinion on churches closing their doors to same-sex couples is this: No house of worship should be required to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony. But state, and taxpayer-funded agencies should treat everyone equally. Otherwise qualifies same-sex couples should have the same access to public services as opposite-sex couples. Businesses that hold themselves out as public accommodations should be ready and willing to serve everyone. Anything else is discrimination.



2 comments:

Patricia said...

Great article!! I really enjoyed, and let me say I agree with everything you said. Here is a link to an article I wrote about yours.


http://ppn-epluribusunum.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-is-cross-that-ms-ms-smith-carry.html

RoZa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.