The Assault on Religious Freedom in Iowa

Nothing currently better reflects the assault on freedom and religious freedom for all in particular better than the effort by Christo-fascists in Iowa - and their financial backers from other states - to roll back same sex marriage rights in that state and in addition grant Christianists the right to basically discriminate against anyone who offends their religious sensibilities (or more accurately bigotry). If these efforts prevail, taken to their logical extension, haters could discriminate against gays, Muslims, Hindus - theoretically even blacks in in interracial marriages in the case of those wingnuts who believe in the Bible's support of separation of the races - basically anyone targeted and the state of civil equality would be rolled back by decades. All so that Christianists can have special rights that trump the rights of everyone else. Yep, Anne Rice was definitely on to something when she condemned Christianity for the vile influence it has become in so many instances. Sponsoring this batshitery is Rep. Richard Anderson, R-Clarinda (pictured above). Here are highlights from the DesMoines Register on this latest threat to civil rights for many:
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It would be legal for an Iowa business owner who cites religious beliefs to refuse to provide jobs, housing, goods or services to people involved in a marriage that violates his or her religious convictions, according to a bill an Iowa House subcommittee will consider on Wednesday.
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House Study Bill 50, called the Religious Conscience Protection Act, would allow a person, business or organization such as a charity or fraternal group to deny services without fear of facing a civil claim or lawsuit if they think doing so would validate or recognize same-sex relationships.
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The same-sex exclusion is by itself constitutionally troubling, several legal scholars and civil rights activists said. However, the bill is so broad that it would legalize a wide spectrum of other discriminatory acts, they said. They raised questions about whether services could be denied if, say, a Christian were married to a Jew or if a woman who is 60 married a man who is half her age and the couple could not procreate.
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At least three civil rights groups issued statements Monday opposing the bill. "The ACLU recognizes this bill for what it is: an effort to legitimize discrimination under the guise of religious liberty," said Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.
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Nan Hunter, a law professor at Georgetown University, said at the forum that such broad exemptions are unprecedented in anti-discrimination law and predicted such a law would open the door to abuses.
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"What is at issue here is the enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws that prohibit denying jobs or housing or services to people based on sexual orientation," Hunter said in November. " ... What it would change is how much discrimination we as a society will allow against married couples who are gay. It's going to be discrimination based on sexual orientation."

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I hate to say it but, Christianity cannot become a dead religion soon enough if Anderson and those like him represent what it has become.