A few months back, the Hobby Lobby decision was made that actually sent situations spiraling out of control. The Hobby Lobby decision I am referring to is Burrell vs. Hobby Lobby, Inc. This final decision was in favor of Hobby Lobby. This decision allows “for-profit corporations to be exempt from a law its owners religiously object to if there is a less restrictive means of furthering the law’s interest” [1]. Right after that, more people started testing the waters to see what they could “religiously” get away with.
Once I got a hold of this information, I did what I regularly did: I wrote about it.
Remember this article? Sure you do.
In a decisive paragraph in the beginning, I noted the potential issues that could occur:
Many thought it had to do with birth control. While birth control was one of the bigger issues, it should be noted that many of us missed the bigger picture. This court case was nothing but a singular blow to the wall of societal sanctity through the use of religion. This singular case had the potential to unleash ready havoc on people’s jobs because their “differences” don’t match up with the organization’s “religious values”. In short, this wasn’t about birth control; this decision was about oppression through religious exemption. [2]
This is the man bold enough to be…well, stupid.Now, that potential has come full circle into fruition thanks to Indiana, Gov. Mike Pence, and SB 101:
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed into law on Thursday a measure that allows businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers in the name of “religious freedom.”
The bill has sparked an uproar among gamers and church groups that hold their conventions in Indianapolis and businesses that are threatening to pull out of the city. [3]
And yes, we have the Hobby Lobby case to thank for it. And yes, it is sad that I predicted all of this foolishness 9 months ago.
SB 101 – What It All Means
For those that don’t understand what the bill is saying legally, then I can give an explanation. In fact, I will let the Indiana General Assembly give their “interpretation” of it:
Religious freedom restoration. Prohibits a governmental entity from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the governmental entity can demonstrate that the burden: (1) is in furtherance of acompelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest. Provides a procedure for remedying a violation. Specifies that the religious freedom law applies to the implementation or application of a law regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity or official is a party to a proceeding implementing or applying the law. Prohibits an applicant, employee, or former employee from pursuing certain causes of action against a private employer. [4]
In laymen’s terms, this bill allows any business to not deal with any customer/person due to their religious beliefs. The only way there can be legal recourse is if the decision is anti-government. Also, any entity can have rules that the government don’t agree with. Plus, any worker that has an issue with it can professionally “kick rocks”.
So yes, my good people, we have found out that some people want Indiana to go back to the 1950’s.
SB 101 – The Problems Have Arisen
One of the issues that Indiana has to face is the reaction to the SB 101 Bill. For one thing,Gen Con plans on moving their convention if Pence signed the bill. Since he signed the bill, I expect Gen Con to give Indiana their walking papers. Then, there is the issue the NCAAhas with the bill as well. Since the headlining band The Bleachers has a lead singer that is pro-gay marriage, this presents an economic problem for Indiana as a whole.
Another problem is this: by Pence’s ignorance, Indiana is going to be scarred for a while. Their entire reputation has practically taken a major blow. Who would want to visit/live in a state that is working hard to go backwards towards the 1950’s and 1960’s? Do people like Pence want to see a bunch of civil rights marches and demonstrations that we should have been done with those decades past? Are people stupid enough to allow for a bill that legalizes discrimination under the guise of “religious freedom”?
Think about it: people don’t want to worry about not being able to buy a burger because of their race, sexual orientation, or even their belief system.
If Indiana still wants to be stupid enough to allow this, then I have some glaring words to say to them:
Fuck Gov. Mike Pence.
Fuck anybody in Indiana that believes in SB 101 as a bill.
Fuck anybody that agrees with the bill as a whole.
Now, as Indiana struggles with a bill that should not have seen the light of day, I am going to go sip on my tea. That way, when I walk through the aisles of Hobby Lobby (to buy nothing), I can still say “I tried to tell you about this” to all the naysayers from months before.