April 20, 2024
So, this guy goes into a catering business owned and operated by a Muslim family. He makes the following request, “I am having an event for a large number of friends and I would like for you to cater the event for me. We will be serving barbecued pork for a crowd of 150 people.”
The customer is interrupted by the caterer, “I’m sorry, but my religion does not permit me to handle pork, so it will not be possible for me to cater your barbecue event."
Is this discrimination? Of course not! The Muslim caterer has every right to deny service based on his religious faith. Is it likely that his refusal to offer service will result in a lawsuit or consternation by large corporations in Georgia, the LGBT community, Speaker Ralston, or Governor Deal? Not a snowball’s chance on Peachtree Street in August!
The issue with House Bill 757 as amended by the Senate is not an issue of discrimination. It is an issue of religious freedom. Persons in this state and in this nation should never be forced to act contrary to their religious faith.
Being governor of a state is a tough job. People pull on you from all directions. I am sure that the temptation to yield to the pressure of big money corporations and loud social groups is significant, but, that being said, great leadership does not yield to financial and social pressure; it stands tall for what is right.
Enough talk about discrimination! Protecting the religious liberty of our citizens is too important to stoop to using shallow and untruthful arguments to fight against a righteous cause. In a recent op-ed piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Governor Deal made reference to Scripture in attempting to frame his argument against religious liberty. His premise is wrong.
The issue with House Bill 757 as amended by the Senate is not an issue of discrimination. It is an issue of religious freedom. Persons in this state and in this nation should never be forced to act contrary to their religious faith.
The purpose of this legislation is to protect the First Amendment rights of Georgians, not to disenfranchise the LGBT community. They make a lot of noise, but honestly, the LGBT folks have nothing to fear from the religious community. A fellow who cussed in my presence one time said, “I’m sorry, pastor. I didn’t mean to do that in your presence.” My response was, “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not the judge. God is the Judge. He’s the One you need to be worried about.”
All personal accounts will be settled in the judgment when we stand before the Lord and give account for all we have done. We are all sinners saved only by the grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our sincere heart for the LGBT community is to love them and share the love of Christ with them. This Christ-like love, however, does not mean agreement with their sin anymore than Christ agrees with their sin. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Yes, Jesus loved sinners and reached out to them, but He never gave assent to their sin. He did say, “Go your way and sin no more” (John 8:11).
What we seek through HB 757 as amended by the Senate is protection from being forced by the law to act contrary to our faith. In America, that should already be a settled matter.
