Florida Republicans Fight to Keep Cohabitation Illegal

I've argued over and over again that the Christianist agenda targets much more than LGBT citizens. Indeed, the Christianist/Republican agenda targets all form so sexual morality not in keeping with supposed Biblical dictates - other than the dictate against divorce which is utterly ignored, particularly in Southern states and includes such things as contraception, sex involving anything other than the so-called missionary position, and cohabitation a/k/a fornication in Virginia. Many in the general public do not want to admit just how much their civil liberties are at risk should the Christianist/GOP candidates gain control of the executive and legislative branches of government. Yet Florida offers a glimpse of the religious extremist world that these opponents of religious freedom would usher in if allowed to do so. Here are highlights from Think Progress on the raging batshitery in Florida:

Thousands of unmarried couples who are living together in Florida may be surprised to learn that they are actually breaking the law. Under outdated and rarely enforced state laws that have been on the books since the late 1800s, “cohabitation” is actually a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by $500 or up to 60 days in jail.

[O]ne Florida Republican is commendably trying to repeal these irrelevant laws — only to be met with mass opposition from his fellow Republicans including Gov. Rick Scott (R). These social conservatives won’t support his effort to finally legalize a common practice and would prefer that official condemnation of couples “living in sin” stay enshrined in state law.

Cohabitation, especially among young couples, has become an increasing trend in recent years. The number of unmarried couples living together increased tenfold from 1960 to 2000, the U.S. Census says. It’s a practice that’s often derided by social conservatives, who fear that it is replacing traditional marriage.

However, maintaining the legal option of throwing these couples in jail seems a tad over-the-top, not to mention tragically out of touch with the reality of millions of Americans.

Exchange the Bible for the Koran and the Christian Taliban is just as extreme and dangerous to the civil rights of citizens as the Islamic Taliban about whom the Christianists love to rant on an incessant basis. Both mindsets are in opposition to modernity and individual liberty.