To: President Donald Trump
Protect religious rights when guaranteeing personal rights
Gay marriage may be seen by most Democrats as an equal rights protection. But we equally need to protect religious believers whose conscientious objections might cause them to lose jobs when refusing to sell wedding products and services to same sex couples. Ministers who object to violating their consciences need to be legally free to abstain from performing same sex marriage rites. Any change to laws must protect the rights of religious faith at the same time they protect the rights of any other group.
Why is this important?
Constitutional rights to freedom of religion may be at risk of dilution unless we carefully draw up laws or amendments intended to extend rights to individuals and groups. Both can be accommodated in regard to gay marriage much the same as objections to abortion are granted to individuals and churches. Providers of products and services must not have to choose between their jobs and consciences.