Indiana just passed new legislation allowing business owners to deny service based on freedom of religious conscience. Of course, the left has come out and attacked the state and the Governor Mike Pence, saying that the new law legalizes discrimination against gays. But progressives are totally missing the point.
On radio this morning, Glenn made the argument that the bill isn't designed to legalize discrimination, but only protect people who are truly religious from being forced to participate in a ceremony that violates their beliefs. This is a point that Governor Mike Pence is failing to make when he appears on national news shows to defend the law.
"I think the governor is doing a horrible job in defending this Religious Freedom Act," Glenn said. "No one is for discrimination against anybody. Do you know anybody that's for discrimination? No. I don't know anyone who is for discrimination."
"Let's be really clear. I'm not for discrimination against gays. But I'm also not for discrimination against religious people. There comes a time when we all have to live together. There comes a time when we're all going to have to accept that people are different and celebrate true diversity," he said.
Glenn has said time and time again that marriage is between the individuals getting married and God, not the government, but that an individual's church or faith shouldn't be forced to participate if it violates their church doctrine.
"They have the right to get married. If they want to get married, they can get married. Does my church have to marry gay people? No. Do you have to get married in my church? No. Do you have a right to find a church that will marry you? Yes," Glenn said.
"So your right to be gay. Your right to frequent stores. Your right to do all of those things. You're protected. You don't have a right to discriminate against someone because they're gay. But gay people, you don't have a right to force people who are religious to participate in your ceremony. Then we all get along. It's just that easy. You don't have a right to discriminate against gay people, sell them a cupcake, sell them flowers, sell them a cake, when they ask you," Glenn said.
It's important that the individuals objecting based on their religious beliefs truly truly be conscientious objectors. This new law should not allow blanket discrimination.
"This is the key here. You actually have to be religious. You can't just be someone, I hate them gays. So I won't do it. No, tell me a little about your religion. Because this is not a right to discriminate. This is a right that you have to protect your sensibility. You're a conscientious objector," he said.
"We just need to talk to the reasonable people on both sides. You don't have a right to discriminate. If you're coming into your bakery and want to buy a cupcake, I'm selling you a cupcake and I have to sell you a cupcake. If you're coming in and asking me to participant in your ceremony which is something against my religion, I need to kindly tell you, 'I can't do this. I'm really sorry. I just can't do this. You may not want to be a customer with me anymore, but I hope that's not true, because I don't have anything wrong with you. I just can't participate in your ceremony. Because for me, this is a deal between man, woman, and a God. And you don't see it that way. And that's fine. That's totally fine. I'll sell you anything in the store. I can't participate in your ceremony.' What is the problem with that?" Glenn said.
Featured image courtesy of the AP
