Religious Freedom Restoration Act

13 Stories

Ex-Marine Fights Discharge Over Bible Verse on Her Desk

'No weapon formed against me shall prosper' spurred court-martial

(Newser) - A Bible verse posted at her workstation was supposed to help Monifa Sterling keep her cool with miffed co-workers. Instead, the ex-Marine was demoted, received a bad-conduct discharge, and is now appealing a court-martial, Military Times reports. The phrase that started the conflict: "No weapon formed against me shall...

Jindal: I'll Never Change My Mind About Gay Marriage

La. governor says he won't cave to corporate 'bullies' on religious liberty issues

(Newser) - Indiana and Arkansas recently softened their so-called "religious freedom" legislation , and one person isn't happy that they walked it back: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. In an opinion piece in today's New York Times , Jindal takes issue with the "large corporations [that] recently joined left-wing activists to...

Indiana's Memories Pizza Reopens—$842K Richer

Owner Kevin O'Connor says his views on gay marriage haven't changed

(Newser) - Memories Pizza is open and ready to serve once again, assuming you're not a gay couple looking for a wedding caterer. The Indiana pizzeria gained either fame or infamy , depending on your views, after the owner backed the state's controversial religious freedom law and said he would happily...

Santorum: Should Gay Printers Have to Make Westboro Signs?

He invokes 'God Hates Fags' church in RFRA debate

(Newser) - Rick Santorum has weighed in on the debate over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act using what appears to have been the most provocative comparison he could think of. "Tolerance is a two-way street," he told CBS News yesterday, arguing that businesses should have the "ability to...

Here's How Indiana GOP Wants to 'Clarify' the RFRA

Republicans, business leaders to announce clarifying measure

(Newser) - Those calling for a "fix" are getting it, Indiana's top Republicans said at a press conference this morning. Senate President Pro Tem David Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma announced changes this morning that "clarify" the state's controversial new religious freedom law and aim to protect...

Indiana Pizzeria Owners Are 'in Hiding, Basically'

As a high school coach is suspended over a tweet

(Newser) - The owners of the pizzeria in Walkerton, Ind., that told a local TV station they would refuse to cater a gay wedding has seen their world turn upside down since Tuesday night. In an interview with TheBlaze TV , Crystal O'Connor says Memories Pizza has been closed since the comments...

Suggested Dues for First Church of Cannabis: $4.20

Founder Bill Levin's response to Indiana law puts pot front and center

(Newser) - The first commandment of Indiana's newest religious establishment is pretty straightforward: "Don't be an asshole ." The First Church of Cannabis—given the thumbs-up as a religious corporation by Indiana's secretary of state after the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into law last week—also...

Arkansas Follows Indiana's Move, Walmart Protests It

Walmart urges Gov. Hutchinson not to sign the Religious Freedom Restoration Act

(Newser) - With Indiana still feeling the heat over its Religious Freedom Restoration Act , Arkansas inches up to the fire: State lawmakers yesterday approved House Bill 1228—its own RFRA—and sent it along to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is being called upon by many to veto the bill. Among that many:...

The Indianapolis Star Puts It Bluntly: 'Fix This Now'

The 'NYT,' 'WSJ' weigh in, too

(Newser) - "Only bold action—action that sends an unmistakable message to the world that our state will not tolerate discrimination against any of its citizens—will be enough to reverse the damage," write the editors at the Indianapolis Star today. And bold action is what they took: Their editorial...

All the Fallout Happening to Indiana

Cities, businesses, bands join RFRA boycott

(Newser) - As Apple CEO Tim Cook warned , Indiana's controversial new Religious Freedom Restoration Act is turning out to be pretty bad for business, with companies, cities, and at least one other state joining a boycott. Among those shunning the state over the law, which critics say could allow businesses to...

Tim Cook Slams 'Dangerous' Indiana Law

Apple will stand up against discrimination, he says

(Newser) - Laws like the recently passed Indiana one allowing businesses to refuse gay customers on the grounds of religious freedom are bad for business and bad for America, Tim Cook warns. In a Washington Post op-ed, the Apple CEO says a "very dangerous" wave of legislation in more than two...

Indiana Governor Won't Answer Discrimination Question

George Stephanopoulos tries again and again

(Newser) - "We are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there's a way to clarify the intent of the law." That from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who yesterday spoke to the Indianapolis Star about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. And in an appearance on ABC'...

Indiana Businesses Could Now Refuse Gay Customers

Gov. Mike Pence signs Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law

(Newser) - Indiana Gov. Mike Pence today signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law—in a ceremony that was held behind closed doors for "no particular reason," says his rep . What it is, and what it means for Indiana, per the AP and Indianapolis Star :
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