Idaho needs Luker’s bill – Rep. Luker’s bill represented freedom and constitutionality, needs to return and stay

It’s always depressing to see the rights of Americans fall underway in the name of fairness and non-discrimination. Somehow in today’s America, we constantly undermine freedom and the Constitution — as was seen here in Idaho near the end of February.

Andrew Jenson | Argonaut

Andrew Jenson | Argonaut

Rep. Lynn Luker recently withdrew his bill which would, in effect, protect people’s professional or occupational licenses, certifications or registrations from being denied, revoked or suspended — should they refuse service to anyone based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

As an example, Luker said a studio-employed photographer may refuse service to individuals, and be able to retain their license — even if the studio fires them for refusing to serve customers.

However, under the bill, such refusal does not allow anyone to inflict intentional emotional or physical injury on anyone.

If, somehow, doing business with certain customers makes licensed professionals think they are violating their religious beliefs, they have the right to exercise to their faith and refuse service.

I wouldn’t care who the professional is or supports. They could be homosexuals who firmly believe that being homosexual is biblically supported. They could be Muslims, Mormons or even atheists.

Why shouldn’t they service whomever they wish when it comes to their business and beliefs — as long as doing so does not transgress the constitutional rights of others?

Homosexuals could start a business and only provide service to homosexual customers. Muslims could similarly refuse to service Christians.

In either case, such refusal would be perfectly OK.

There would be no harm done to anyone. No one’s rights would be trampled and the people in these businesses would be free from violating their consciences. After all, when it comes to serving people and having to maintain one’s beliefs, the decision can be difficult. Professionals and businesses have to make choices and they shouldn’t have to choose between following society’s will or their conscience. This isn’t to say I think refusing service to individuals is necessarily right, especially when it comes to the Christian faith and how we are to treat our fellow human beings.

But, licensed professionals should be able to refuse service without the possibly of a lawsuit and losing their licenses — especially if providing a service somehow makes them violate their beliefs.

This bill needs to return, and it needs to stay. The religious communities of Idaho need to show their support for it.

Otherwise, this bill will never see the light of day. Then what’s to stop the advance toward forcing churches or similar institutions to perform services against their faiths?

Religious liberty has already taken a hit, here and in Arizona. With society’s current rallying cry to cease so-called discriminatory acts, America’s churches will become a future target. And if something as simple and valid as Luker’s bill is refused in a state like ours, the religious residents of Idaho should be concerned.

Andrew Jenson can be reached at [email protected]

 

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