Since the signing of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act (SEA 101) (RFRA) by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, many across the country have spoken out against the new law, expressing concerns that it permits businesses to discriminate against various groups under the auspices of religion.
However, Pence disagrees, and staunchly defended RFRA in a recent statement.
“I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith,” said Pence.
“This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it. In fact, it does not even apply to disputes between private parties unless government action is involved. For more than 20 years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation’s anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana.”
Though this legislation was intended to protect religious freedom, many in the religious community believe RFRA does not act in their best interest.
For example, Christ Church Cathedral, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, said the measure places “vital religious life in peril.”
“This law is poor policy, bad for business, a dangerous example internationally and terrible theology. It should be repealed immediately,” said the church in a statement.
Church officials said they believe the moment laws allow citizens to privilege one religion over another in public life, to discriminate against another citizen under a religious pretense, society is on their way to religious bigotry—the majority over the minority.
“Far from strengthening the vitality of American religious life, this is the beginning of its end,” they said.
The church said this bill mirrors religious persecution happening abroad, yet here, some Christians are behind the hate.
“Speaking as one Christian to other Christians, remember that Jesus was frequently criticized by the authorities for eating and drinking with sinners and prostitutes. He was not afraid to share his faith and associate with everyone, especially those rejected by the majority. It was one of the reasons he was crucified,” they said. “Woe to Christians who in the name of Jesus entitle themselves to act against Christ in Christ’s name. If Jesus could eat and drink as he did, surely Hoosier Christians cannot cite their faith to avoid selling cupcakes to gay people.”
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), headquartered in Indianapolis, has threatened to cancel its 2017 convention.
“Our perspective is that hate and bigotry wrapped in religious freedom is still hate and bigotry,” said Todd Adams, the associate general minister and vice president of the denomination.
Adams said the Disciples of Christ would instead seek a host city that is “hospitable and welcome to all of our attendees.”
The Disciples of Christ has held its annual convention in Indianapolis three times since 1989. Adams expected about 8,000 to attend in 2017. Visit Indy estimated the economic impact at $5.9 million.
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, whose nearly 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jewish people, said the RFRA controversy highlights what it considers broad, damaging effects of the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby on religious freedom.
Indiana’s RFRA, unlike the federal RFRA, codifies the notion that for-profit corporations may avail themselves of the religious freedom rights formerly only accorded to individuals and religious non-profits.
In fact, it goes even further than the Hobby Lobby decision because it extends this right beyond closely held corporations to all corporations.
“We remain profoundly committed to ensuring all people may live according to the teachings of their faith. Our nation’s dedication to religious freedom has allowed religious minorities, including Jews, to flourish across America. This history inspires us to speak out —on only to ensure individuals and religious communities can freely practice and observe their faith—but also to fight discrimination against other minorities,” said Rachel Laser, deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
