Post by pavel on Mar 4, 2016 5:58:45 GMT -6
Nathan Deal makes a forceful, biblical case against Georgia’s ‘religious liberty’ bill
Amid a growing outcry from powerful corporations over Georgia’s “religious liberty” proposal, Gov. Nathan Deal issued his strongest warning yet to lawmakers who are debating controversial legislation seen as a conservative answer to the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling.
In stark terms, the Republican said he would reject any measure that “allows discrimination in our state in order to protect people of faith,” and urged religious conservatives not to feel threatened by the ruling. He also called on his fellow Republicans pushing for the measure to take a deep breath and ” recognize that the world is changing around us.”
Deal has already called on lawmakers to make changes to the proposal, which has passed the Georgia Senate. It would allow opponents of same-sex marriage to cite religious beliefs in denying services to gay couples. On Thursday, he made clear that he wouldn’t be disappointed if even a variation of that measure fails to pass the Legislature when the session ends in late March.
“It’s not on my agenda item. It’s not one of those issues that I have been pushing,” said Deal.
He added:
“I know that there are a lot of Georgians who feel like this is a necessary step for us to take. I would hope that in the process of these last few days, we can keep in mind the concerns of the faith-based community, which I believe can be protected without setting up the situation where we could be accused of allowing or encouraging discrimination.”
Read more: politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/03/03/nathan-deals-remarkably-forceful-opposition-to-georgia-religious-liberty-legislation/
Amid a growing outcry from powerful corporations over Georgia’s “religious liberty” proposal, Gov. Nathan Deal issued his strongest warning yet to lawmakers who are debating controversial legislation seen as a conservative answer to the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling.
In stark terms, the Republican said he would reject any measure that “allows discrimination in our state in order to protect people of faith,” and urged religious conservatives not to feel threatened by the ruling. He also called on his fellow Republicans pushing for the measure to take a deep breath and ” recognize that the world is changing around us.”
Deal has already called on lawmakers to make changes to the proposal, which has passed the Georgia Senate. It would allow opponents of same-sex marriage to cite religious beliefs in denying services to gay couples. On Thursday, he made clear that he wouldn’t be disappointed if even a variation of that measure fails to pass the Legislature when the session ends in late March.
“It’s not on my agenda item. It’s not one of those issues that I have been pushing,” said Deal.
He added:
“I know that there are a lot of Georgians who feel like this is a necessary step for us to take. I would hope that in the process of these last few days, we can keep in mind the concerns of the faith-based community, which I believe can be protected without setting up the situation where we could be accused of allowing or encouraging discrimination.”
Read more: politics.blog.ajc.com/2016/03/03/nathan-deals-remarkably-forceful-opposition-to-georgia-religious-liberty-legislation/