Should sexual orientation trump religious freedom - and is sexual orientation a protected class of people? How do Christians talk about this without coming across like intolerant bigots?
Talking Points:
- A big contemporary question is, “Should sexual orientation trump religious freedom?” Is sexual orientation “gender identity?” Is it a protected class of people? This law is being compared to Jim Crow laws in the South during the 1960s.
- Jim Crow laws forced otherwise tolerant individuals to be intolerant. Businesses were not legally allowed to serve African Americans. This is not the same as protecting an individual’s conscience.
- The RFRA does not force intolerance. The RFRA protects the first amendment rights of U.S. citizens to believe and express their beliefs without violating their consciences. The establishment clause says the government should make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. This means there is no state religion in the U.S. and that the government has no business forcing or prohibiting citizens in practicing or not practicing any faith.
- Restrictions are put on government, not on people. The exception to this principle has been that there is a compelling governmental interest, and the government must prove that it has a compelling interest in limiting the free exercise of religion. The way it goes about enforcing that interest must be the least coercive possible.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What issue did the Religious Freedom Restoration Act address in 1993? What is the hot issue today?
- Is the RFRA equivalent to the Jim Crow Laws? Defend your answer.
- If you’re a Christian, how can you talk about this issue without coming across like an intolerant bigot? How do you think Jesus would talk about this in public? Defend your answer.
- Should a for-profit Christian photographer be legally required to photograph a gay wedding? Explain.
- Should a for-profit gay photographer be required to photograph a Westboro Baptist Church (the church famous for protesting gay funerals) event? Explain.
- Other than the variable involved (gay/straight photographer, gay couple/Westboro Baptist) is there a substantial difference between the logic of questions six and seven above? Explain.
- What do you think is a fair compromise for protecting people’s religious freedoms and protecting citizens from being denied services by government, business, and healthcare institutions? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
