Local ordinances that protect Kentuckians from sexual orientation-based discrimination by businesses would be rendered irrelevant by bill that passed a Senate committee Thursday.

 

The bill could have implications for an ongoing lawsuit against a Lexington apparel company that refused on religious grounds to print T-shirts requested by organizers of the city’s gay pride parade.

 

Stan Cave, an attorney for the conservative Family Foundation, said business owners shouldn’t be forced to grant services if doing so violates their religious beliefs.

 

“A person who’s exercising their right of conscience shouldn’t have to face bankruptcy because of the punitive measures that are being brought to bear through contempt and jail time and things of that nature,” Cave said.

 

The bill would protect businesses from being sued or having to pay punitive damages for violating local anti-discrimination, or fairness, ordinances based on sexual orientation. Those laws protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination by businesses and in accommodations.

 

Kentucky Senate Panel OKs Bill Overriding Local Fairness Laws

If you run a business for profit should you be able to say no based on your religion?

If you run a business for profit should you be able to say no based on your religion?

 

In a free country , yes.

Slippery slope, I'm not a fan.

In a free country , yes.

 

Doesn't that open the door to a customized religion that in effect allows a business to discriminate against any people/groups/causes they don't agree with?

In a free country , yes.

 

Is it OK to make you go around to the kitchen back door for your meal also. Or refuse to feed you because a restaurant owners religion says that races shouldn't mix? How about not allowing you to sit at the lunch counter because it's against "My Religion"?

 

I see a lot of potential for abuse.

 

Counter Point: I also don't think for example that a baker of Jewish decent should be forced to make a Hitler Birthday Cake.

 

There are a lot of problems with this and I don't trust the legislature to get this right.

Doesn't that open the door to a customized religion that in effect allows a business to discriminate against any people/groups/causes they don't agree with?

 

Sure it does not denying that. But in a free country this should be the case. I don't think a successful business in this day and age could get away with what you are describing. But in truly free society the answer to your question is yes.

 

What we have decided as a country and I'm not saying it's wrong is we restrict freedom to stop some forms of discrimination.

 

I personally don't feel sexual orientation and race are the same thing but we as a society have come to that conclusion so be it.

Doesn't that open the door to a customized religion that in effect allows a business to discriminate against any people/groups/causes they don't agree with?

 

Sure it does.

Is it OK to make you go around to the kitchen back door for your meal also. Or refuse to feed you because a restaurant owners religion says that races shouldn't mix? How about not allowing you to sit at the lunch counter because it's against "My Religion"?

 

I see a lot of potential for abuse.

 

Counter Point: I also don't think for example that a baker of Jewish decent should be forced to make a Hitler Birthday Cake.

 

There are a lot of problems with this and I don't trust the legislature to get this right.

 

Or a Jewish deli owner to make a pulled pork and bacon sandwich.

Yet another spinoff of the Supreme Court's 5-4 Hobby Lobby decision, which sanctions discrimination in the name of religion. Kentucky social conservatives are making hay while the sun shines.

Any privately owned business should not be told what who they can or can't provide services for. Has nothing to do with religion. It doesn't matter if your religious beliefs don't agree with the customers way of life or not. If you do not want to do business with them, it should be your choice. Nobody should be able to tell you otherwise. I don't do business with people I choose not to all the time, for various reasons.

If you run a business for profit should you be able to say no based on your religion?

 

You should be able to say no period. It's business, its your loss of profit for turning down the job, someone else will do it im sure. I like the bill.

Sure it does not denying that. But in a free country this should be the case. I don't think a successful business in this day and age could get away with what you are describing. But in truly free society the answer to your question is yes.

 

What we have decided as a country and I'm not saying it's wrong is we restrict freedom to stop some forms of discrimination.

 

I personally don't feel sexual orientation and race are the same thing but we as a society have come to that conclusion so be it.

 

Any privately owned business should not be told what who they can or can't provide services for. Has nothing to do with religion. It doesn't matter if your religious beliefs don't agree with the customers way of life or not. If you do not want to do business with them, it should be your choice. Nobody should be able to tell you otherwise. I don't do business with people I choose not to all the time, for various reasons.

 

For each of you and anyone else, when/what/who should a business be able to say no to?

 

Lesibians? Muslims? Gay Men? Illegal Aliens? Hispanics? Anyone of Middle Eastern Descent? Whites? Blacks? Politicians? Police Officers?

For each of you and anyone else, when/what/who should a business be able to say no to?

 

Lesibians? Muslims? Gay Men? Illegal Aliens? Hispanics? Anyone of Middle Eastern Descent? Whites? Blacks? Politicians? Police Officers?

 

I'm on the side of any business owner would be an idiot to deny any customer. You are in business to make money and should be agnostic to race, color or orientation.

 

But if you are asking me in a bubble in a free society should they have a right to decide then I would say in a free society you have a right to be bigot or an idiot.

 

I understand with our countries history it comes as insensitive to our past.

 

 

As a society we decided we prefer business owners not to have that freedom. I never said it was a bad decision. I think owners should serve everyone. But make no mistake it's a restriction of freedom , it's just one most can live with.

As a business move, denying to provide service to someone because you don't believe in their way of life is costing you money and can make you look bad to other clients and future sales. But that's on you. Nobody should be able to tell you that you have to provide services for anyone that asks! I'm not siding with all business owners for their decisions. Just saying we don't need government telling us what we can and can't do

Edited February 27, 201610 yr by #99
Misspelled word