There is a controversy raging over the recent religious freedom law passed in Indiana. The opinion page cartoon in the Sun Journal on Friday, April 3, unfortunately presented an emotional, hate-filled opinion that ignored the legitimate concerns of many Christians.
There is a clash between the rights of same-sex couples and the rights of Christians to practice their religion. Central to their faith is an understanding of marriage as being between one man and one woman, based on the natural law which is universal in virtually all societies.
It is also a Christian principle that persons with same-sex attraction were created in the image of God and are to be treated with the same love and respect as others would want to be treated.
How do we reconcile these principles in a situation where a business person has these beliefs and is asked to perform a service for a same-sex wedding, for example?
Most people recognize it would be wrong to discriminate strictly on the basis of sexual orientation, yet should someone have to participate in something that goes against the core of their beliefs, at the risk of being put out of business should they refuse?
The Sun Journal cartoon made no attempt at addressing the complexity of the issue. Instead, it lumped together anyone concerned about religious freedom as the moral equivalent of a KKK member.
Who is really guilty of “hate speech” here?
Jonathan Dandridge, Lewiston
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