Missouri, beware violating First Amendment intentions

Richard Fulton

Republican governors combined with state Republican legislative leaders have coordinated a campaign across the country to find ways to hobble the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in America.

Before you automatically turn up your nose at this community of people, keep in mind that it is a rare family in America that does not contain a member of this community. Some fairly open, some quiet; some close, some more distant.

Religious conservatives particularly have a hard time accepting these fellow citizens. They refer to the Old Testament admonitions — in the same place where the old testament happens also to say that if your son disobeys you, kill him. Or, if your neighbor is fooling around on his wife, kill him. Look it up.

Jesus, who said in the New Testament that He brought a new law, never mentions the LGBT people, except to say we must love all people.

So, what is the Missouri Legislature trying to do?

They want to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting government punishment of businesses and religious clergy and organizations that refuse services for weddings and related events on the basis of religious beliefs.

Think about that. There is a generation or two of people in our country who remember businesses and religious organizations that refused service to folks based on the color of their skin. How is refusing service based upon sexual preferences not a blatant violation of the First Amendment’s separation of church and state too?

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce certainly doesn’t see any difference. They are greatly against this attempt to allow their employees not to do their jobs.

There is sure to be economic backlashes connected with this amendment if it passes. Already other states that have or are in the process of passing such a law have come under serious scrutiny of large business interests.

For example, North Carolina passed a law eliminated anti discrimination protections for LGBT individuals. PayPal is investing in a new center in Charlotte and American Airlines has a base there, and they complained to the governor and hinted at ending investment in the state. As Governor Pat McCory signed the bill, even the state’s attorney general refused to ask the courts to uphold it.

Eighty corporations, including Apple and Facebook executives, threatened to end investment in the state. The University of North Carolina joined in a law suit against it.

Indiana has come under similar pressure since they passed such a law.

Georgia”s governor vetoed a similar bill because of pressure from the business community. Even the NFL threatened to withdraw the Super Bowl from Atlanta.

In his veto address, Georgia Governor Heed said, in part, that “religious liberty is protected by God” and that the First Amendment, in effect, tells government “hands off” of religion, and this should be honored.

The Missouri Senate passed the constitutional amendment (instead of making just a law) so that Governor Nixon, who cannot act on constitutional amendments, could not veto the bill. Clever.

What a slap at the Missouri Bill of Rights to add a section that would discriminate agains Missourians and not do what the rest of the Bill does, protect the rights of all Missourians equally.

The constitutional amendment is now in the House. One hopes that the business, political, and civil rights leaders who have voiced opposition to the act will have an effect. But don’t hold your breath.

If it passes, forget any hope of a Super Bowl in Missouri, or of any NCAA tournaments. Beware of businesses passing over Missouri for investments.

And what will be next? Allowing discrimination against Muslim weddings? Buddhists? Even atheists?

Where does it stop?