Answers: Freedom & Discrimination

How would you balance religious freedoms of business owners while protecting against discrimination?

FROM OUR INBOX

The solution to the politics of religious beliefs begins with respecting God and then following Christ's example. Accept that it was God who chose to give his human children free will. Then, instead of demanding laws that bar others from using their God-given free will, do as Christ did: go forth and teach your understanding of God's word. If you believe same-sex marriage is immoral, do not marry someone of the same gender and teach others, but do not use civil law to play God.

Patricia M.

Cedar Rapids

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I do not have any solution, but I do find it interesting that individuals are able to discriminate against a business owner (by not patronizing his establishment) for whatever reason they choose, but that a business owner cannot discriminate against individuals in the same manner.

John R.

Belle Plaine

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America was founded by people fleeing religious persecution by European governments and thus religious freedom is enshrined in our First Amendment. The freedom of Christians has been seriously eroded. Let the free market decide where people want to shop without government oppression.

Palmer H.

Iowa City

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A large part of the populace screaming for tolerance over the last two decades have been the gay community. Now when tolerance is asked of the gay community for someone's religious life style, the intolerance borders on totalitarianism. I don't have respect for that. I fully support tolerance for others as Indiana and other states are practicing it.

Michael J.

Cedar Rapids

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As a Christian you should never refuse someone service but you shouldn't have to do something that is against your beliefs. For example, if you come in to buy a cake I should sell you one no matter what. But if you want a message celebrating something I'm against, I'll make the cake you can add the message or move on. I shouldn't be worried about being sued.

It's always the message, not the cake.

John S.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

' Christine Z.: Freedom of religion doesn't give anyone the right to impose their religion onto the public at large. This country is based upon the concept of equal rights for everyone, which means civil and human rights.

' Xene A.: Christians who feel threatened by serving someone with different beliefs than themselves are pretty weak in their faith if you ask me (we are instructed to love and admonished not to cast judgment.) Writing salutations on a cake in frosting does not make you a supporter of same-sex marriage, it simply makes you a business person strong enough in faith to pray others see you as an upstanding example.

' Deb V.: Let's ask THIS question instead: How would you balance the rights of PRIVATE business against government intrusion via 'protection” laws. This isn't about discrimination, it's about protecting the principles and Constitution our country was framed around.

' Matt K.: Well, being that religion is man made and not real I'd say being accepting and kind to people trumps fairy tales. It's called having humanity.

' Billie M.: We are all human, we should be treated as equals and should all respect each other's lives. If you own a business, you should expect, and accept, all people. Money, is after all, money.

' Barbara L.: We are a nation that values freedom of choice. Why can't a private business owner have his freedom of choice of who to do business with? Would you force him or her to do business with the KKK if they wanted the business owner to serve their organization if he/she disagrees with their bigotry?