Jan. 16, 2013 - Obama proclaims this day Religious Freedom Day. Mr. President reminds us that the freedom of religion is not only a U.S. right, but one that should be universal. The right to openly practice faith is a fundamental building block to peaceful relations. (Obama, 2013)
We shouldn’t have to take from one to give to another. It does seem to play out that way when it comes to gay rights and freedom of religion. In Maryland, one trolley owner closes his doors rather than allowing himself to become a legal case. He didn’t want to compromise his Christian values by serving same-sex couples. At the same time he didn’t want to give them a reason to sue him for discrimination, so in turn he closed his doors. Other wedding vender’s who have found themselves in such a predicament, chose discrimination and lost. (Cox, 2012) It’s like watching a wrecking machine aim for a house, but instead the entire picture crumbles.
Obama has been accused himself of restricting religious freedoms with his healthcare act. There are many lawsuits that claim providing birth control to woman is a violation of religious freedom. (Rovner, 2013) Taking the rattle off a snake to give to a crying baby isn’t the best option for everyone. There are those who’d prefer not to have the baby in the first place. All the religious folks are trying to say is not on my dollar.
When he straightened the painting, he found the room tilts. Across the pond, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found favor of the employers in terms of disciplining an officiator and a counselor who did not wish to serve same-sex couples. Both claimed to request the option not to marry or counsel based on their own religious beliefs. “Termination” was the answer to their question, and the ECHR said, “No violation.” Gay people are gaining equality, but the Christian Legal Centre feels their plaintiffs are losing their religion. (Davenport, 2013)
There is the case of the one who flew a kite that caught fire on a backyard barbeque then burned down the house it flew over, yeah that could happen. Hospital officials said that a nurse was not allowed to wear her cross pendent as it could cause injury to her or a patient. It could come in contact with an open wound. The nurse found her employers argument to be ridiculous. The ECHR sided with the hospital. (Davenport, 2013)
In the case of British Airways, the ECHR decided on behalf of the employee. It was as if a new background had been opened, folded it into a neat square, and with a dash of salt they took a bite. Here is how it unfolded. The ECHR decided the employee’s religious rights were more important than British Airways corporate image that the airlines had dismissed her for diminishing. She was suspended in 2006, during a time when British Airways accommodated Sikhism and Muslim religions in terms of dress code, but not the symbolism of Christian or Jews which has since been approved. British PM David Cameron appreciates the court’s decision on this case, as they found in favor of religious freedom. (Davenport, 2013)
The Pink Panthers of NYC became known when they were successfully sued by the one who owned the rights to the “Pink Panther”. A decade later MGM was sued by the heirs of the creator for similar copyright issues. Copyrights much like religion, permits one to publicize their beliefs. So put on a horseshoe, and kick a horse in the ass.
Works Cited
Cox, E. (2012, 12 27). Trolley owner ends wedding business rather than serve same sex couples. Retrieved 01 16, 2013, from The Washington Post: http://articles.washingtonpost.com
Davenport, C. (2013, 01 15). European court rejects three UK faith bias complaints. Retrieved 01 16, 2013, from Rueters: http://www.reuters.com
Obama, B. (2013, 01 16). Presidential Proclamation -- Religious Freedom Day. Retrieved 01 16, 2013, from White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/16/presidential-proclamation-religious-freedom-day
Rovner, J. (2013, 01 11). Businesses Sue Government Over Birth Control Mandate. Retrieved 01 16, 2013, from NPR: http://www.npr.org