For the latest Christian Chronicle, I wrote a news story on judicial authorities in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington formally admonishing a superior court judge — also a Church of Christ elder — for voicing his preference not to perform same-sex marriages.
As part of that story, I cited the Wall Street Journal'srecent report — praised by GetReligion — on wedding professionals in at least six states running headlong into state antidiscrimination laws after refusing for religious reasons to bake cakes, arrange flowers or perform other services for same-sex couples.
I quoted Lori Windham, senior counsel with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., on the religious liberty implications:
“In states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, this is less likely to be a problem,” Windham told the Chronicle. “But in states where there are same-sex unions, then some Christian business owners might be at risk.
“This is a developing area of law, so it’s too early to tell how these cases are going to turn out,” added Windham, a member of the Fairfax Church of Christ in Virginia and a graduate of Abilene Christian University in Texas. “I am hopeful that courts and state legislatures will strike a balance between marriage laws and religious freedom.”
In past GetReligion posts — here,here and here, for example — I've highlighted the tendency of some major media to produce one-sided stories on the religious debate over same-sex marriage.
But today, I come not to bury to the Chicago Tribune but to praise it. A Tribune story written this week by two reporters, including Godbeat pro Manya Brachear Pashman, focuses on the clash between Illinois' gay marriage bill and religious liberty:
Illinois' gay marriage bill that awaits the governor's signature doesn't force religious clergy to officiate at same-sex weddings or compel churches to open their doors for ceremonies. But similar safeguards aren't spelled out for pastry chefs, florists, photographers and other vendors who, based on religious convictions, might not want to share a gay couple's wedding day.
The lack of broader exceptions worries some who fear an erosion of religious freedoms, even as supporters of the law say it will eliminate discrimination.
"We're going to have to wait for lawsuits to arrive," said Peter Breen, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, a socially conservative legal group.
Critics of the bill that positions Illinois to become the 15th state to allow gay marriage point out that, though it protects clergy and houses of worship, it doesn't spell out exemptions for people and businesses who, based on their religious beliefs, might not want to do business with same-sex couples. The text of the bill makes clear that it doesn't alter two related laws: the Illinois Human Rights Act and the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act allows exemptions from certain rules as long as those exceptions don't harm the welfare of society.
In addition to the problem faced by wedding vendors, opponents worry that the law could force some doctors, social workers and counselors to go against their personal beliefs by providing services to married same-sex couples, or have their licenses revoked.
The Tribune does an excellent job of highlighting the concerns of religious opponents of same-sex marriage and the legal issues at play.
And yes, the Chicago paper also presents the perspective of same-sex marriage supporters:
"The basic question is whether people should be able to rely on their religion as a basis for discriminating, and that's true whether it's about a civil union or an interracial marriage or a commitment ceremony," said John Knight, a lawyer with the ACLU of Illinois who specializes in LGBT issues. "We think for the most part … people shouldn't be able to rely on their religion as a basis for discriminating in their commercial businesses."
It's called journalism, folks. Kudos to the Tribune.