Norman Rockwell's Freedom of Worship

Too much conversation has focused on the right to refuse to bake a cake, to photograph, or to prepare a floral arrangement for a wedding. The only relevant discussion about weddings has been the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to allow same-sex weddings. Does withholding of services constitute discrimination? Some courts have said Yes.

The claim that religious beliefs allow people or religious institutions to discriminate is a specious argument. The First Amendment to the Constitution claims a separation of church and state and says that government cannot impose any restriction upon the practice of religion. That is, you can belong to any religious organization or church you like. Within that organization you cannot be exempt from the law. For example, some religions practice polygamy. In the United States that is illegal.

On the other hand, the church, or religious organizations, does not have the power or authority under the Constitution to tell any branch of government how to govern. If they did, that would constitute a theocracy. That seems to be the goal of some. What constitutes “organized religion” and what are its limits? The government can’t tell you what or how to believe, but your personal beliefs do not place you above the law. As I discussed in a recent post, you do not have the right to claim that your beliefs are the only acceptable or “true” religion and impose them on others.

A person’s progression from attitude, opinion, to belief becomes more rigid with time. The sure way to start a fight is to attack anyone’s beliefs. That is not my intention. But I also am entitled to my beliefs and to my interpretation of the scriptures. Yes, I know the Bible as well as you do. I also am protected by federal and/or state laws. You may not slander nor lay a false charge against me simply because you do not like me.

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