So, I have a beef with something... "Go on, Sela, share!" Well, if you insist...
I have seen people post links about a "controversial", "anti-gay" Senate Bill in Arizona that would supposedly "allow businesses to refuse service to gays and lesbians".
When I read the PLETHORA of links that all said the SAME THING about this bill (George Takei's "Razing Arizona" and CNN's Article among the many), I decided to go to the AZ Legislature website and READ the bill. Upon reading, I lost my marbles. ALL OF THEM. *fuming*
DID ANYONE READ THE FREAKING BILL?
It reestablishes that the state and federal governments have NO POWER to restrict, prohibit the exercise of religion, or enforce something upon a person, business, church, etc. that would be contrary to their convictions. Nor does the government have the power to make laws respecting an establishment of religion. SO, basically a reiteration of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. There is literally NOTHING NEW in this bill that isn't already understood in the Constitution.
NO WHERE IN THIS BILL did it specifically (or at all) reference or target gays and lesbians at the hands of religion.
I don't care if you are gay or lesbian, if you are white, black, brown, purple, man, woman, old, young, fat, skinny, Christian, Muslim, Atheist, WHATEVER. I'm REAL TIRED of civil rights activists, political parties, and others cherry-picking parts of legislation, twisting it out of context to fit or help push their own agenda and then spoon-feeding it to people who take your word for it.
Yeah, with this bill, Mr. Bob can refuse service to the gay couple that walked in his store. But guess what, Mrs. Sally down the street can refuse service to me because I'm wearing an "I'M A MORMON" shirt, a religion she believes is a cult. In fact, I could walk into a restaurant stark-naked (I won't... I'll spare you and myself the embarrassment) and be refused service and escorted off the premises because the business follows a "NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE" policy or even... maybe the owner doesn't agree with the nudist lifestyle. OH NO, THE NUDIST COMMUNITY IS BEING ATTACKED!! ALL THE ANTI-NUDISTS ARE RELIGIOUS BIGOTS!
GIVE ME A BREAK. Businesses should be able to act or refuse to act upon the dictates of their own principles and beliefs - no matter how seemingly prejudice. If their business suffers as a result of "discrimination", SO BE IT. Don't attempt to use the government to push all businesses to serve EVERYONE. Is that not the very essence of "don't try to force everyone to believe or accept what you believe"?
How unbelievably uncomfortable would it be to see me try and force a Muslim to eat pork just because it is commonly acceptable in America to eat it? I'm pretty sure you'd be very uncomfortable, if not, very wroth with me. So, why would anyone force another person to act against their own conscience, or their own free will, for the sake of public and self acceptance?
Making headlines last year, Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, told people he didn't want overweight people to wear his clothes. Both companies only tailored to women up to size 10 and refused to make a "plus-size" clothing line. He received a lot of pressure and backlash from feminist groups and others who viewed him and his company as "discriminatory". Many people publicly proclaimed they would never shop there again. To that I say, "GOOD." There are like a BILLION other stores that offer cute clothes for bigger women. Don't shop there.
Same principle applies in this instance. If a gay couple walks into a bakery wanting to purchase a custom wedding cake and the owner denies them service, their loss. There are plenty of other places that would GLADLY take your business and construct a beautifully gay wedding cake. If Mrs. Sally doesn't like me just because I'm a Mormon, well, I'll take my business elsewhere. SIMPLE. I can't force her (especially with legislation) to like me or accept me, neither can you force upon everyone else to accept or like you.
Actually, we shouldn't even have to NEED this frivolous bill. People, religious or not, have the right to associate and do business with whomever they please without government bullying and interference. Julie Borowski explains it beautifully.
To perpetuate a bill reminding government to remember its place as "ANTI-GAY" is not only an irritating feat, but a pathetic, inflamed, and ignorant attempt to portray the LGBT community as victims AGAIN.
Very well said!
ReplyDelete