The lengths that Republican elected officials will go to in order to pander to the Christofascists who demand special rights over other citizens is at times shocking. How else to describe Republican Senator Mike Lee's introduction of a bill offering a religious “license to discriminate” against gay people and same-sex marriage. The bill is disingenuously called “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act” and instead of guarantying religious freedom for all, it provides special rights for far right Christians who want to exempt themselves from public accommodation laws and other non-discrimination laws. As I have said before, NO ONE is as selfish and self-centered as the "godly folk," many of whom would have made dutiful Nazis had they lived in 1930's and 1040's Germany given their utter disregard for the humanity of others. As for Lee, one has to wonder why he simply doesn't have "I'm a whore" or "I'm a liar" tattooed across his forehead. It is also telling that a veritable who's who of anti-gay hate groups has endorsed the bill. The New Civil Rights Movement looks at this very troubling bill. Here are excerpts:
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has just introduced legislation offering a religious “license to discriminate” against gay people and same-sex marriage. The so-called “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act” is a direct response to the Supreme Court striking down Section 3 of DOMA, a direct challenge to recent news the IRS may tighten rules governing non-profits, and a direct response to Lee’s suggestion that the President will issue an executive order that would force churches, religious institutions, and non-profits to recognize or even consecrate same-sex marriages.
The legislation would make it legal for any individual, business, and any religious institution to discriminate against a person who is LGBT, who is in a same-sex marriage, or even any person who engages in pre-marital sex.
“This bill protects the rights of individuals and organizations from religious discrimination by the federal government,” Lee said in a statement. “Those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage deserve respect and tolerance. It is critical that we clarify the law to ensure that their fundamental civil liberties are not at risk.”
Ironically, Lee has signed on as an original co-sponsor Louisiana Senator David Vitter, whose involvement with a D.C. prostitution ring is legendary.
Also on board are Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and, of course, Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Think Progress notes “the implications for this legislation are numerous, but could allow businesses to discriminate against employees with a same-sex spouse, government officials to discriminate against same-sex couples filing their taxes jointly, or religiously affiliated hospitals discriminating against patients with same-sex spouses.”
Senator Lee’s website notes his “’Marriage and Religious Freedom Act’ has been endorsed by the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops, Family Research Council, National Organization For Marriage, Heritage Action, Concerned Women For America, The Ethics And Religious Liberty Commission Of The Southern Baptist Convention, and Liberty Counsel Action.”
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