Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... Guest Opinion: Synthetic turf is the wrong answer ... Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... Guest Opinion: Synthetic turf is the wrong answer ... LOCAL TAKE Ashlanders respond to controversy raised by Indiana law Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 8:34 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 8:34 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Should tree be removed to make way for affordable housing? • Do you go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows? • Should the Plaza get yet another makeover? • Do you have spring fever? • Should Ashland homeowners be able to rent rooms short-term? • How do you feel about new cell towers? » Social News In recent months, Indiana created a law, called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which states that the government can’t “substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion,” a law widely interpreted as enabling discrimination against gays if it offends people's religion, which many on the religious right says it does. A firestorm of protest erupted immediately after Gov. Mike Pence signed the bill, with threats of boycotts from sports teams, musicians and corporations. A “fix” was demanded, approved by the Legislature and signed by Pence. The new measure is intended to prevent discrimination against any class of people, but it didn't wholly satisfy gender-equality groups and enraged some social conservatives, who said the state leaders were backpedaling on religious protections. The second measure was quickly passed amid a growing number of economic threats: The NCAA, which holds its Final Four national basketball championship in Indianapolis, warned darkly it might reconsider that. The NBA, NFL and NASCAR growled loudly. Angie’s List canceled a $40 million expansion of its headquarters in Indianapolis. The Disciples of Christ pulled its $6 million convention for 2017. Three states banned official travel to Indiana. One governor, Jay Inslee of Washington state, said “Indiana’s law appears to legalize private discrimination.” A similar bill passed the Arkansas Legislature, but after seeing the very expensive backlash, its governor, who previously said he’d sign it, has pulled back. We asked Ashlanders, “Should businesses be allowed not to serve gays, if they decide homosexuality is against their religious principles?” Anya Kumara — Spirit is what guides all of us and religion is becoming like the government, trying to control people. We all know what’s right, inside us. Sovereignty is pretty important right now. That means inner directedness. Lucien Pop — That law is not OK. I highly disagree with it. It’s stupid. This is America. The United States and that means we are united. It makes me sick when these laws get passed. We talk about civil liberties. We’re all equal. What goes around comes around. It’s karma. A law like this is unconstitutional. Obama will never let this get through. I was brainwashed by Fox News once, but it was Huffington Post that got me free of it. Dominick DellaSala — It’s repressive, draconian and takes us back to the days of discrimination we’re trying to avoid. We’ve worked on equality for many decades. It’s too bad people are afraid of lifestyles they don’t understand. It’s not good for the country to run away from fear of lifestyles. The country in general has swung way too far to the right and it will trigger a response. It’s time for another social movement. We’re seeing it now in gay, civil rights and environmental issues. Regressive policies just won’t work. It’s great that business is pulling out of Indiana. Money talks and that helps social movements we need. It’s so discouraging to see people think this way. We have a long history of religious persecution and it always results in unfortunate incidents. Barbara Mason — Business rightfully is pulling out of Indiana. I support all people. None of this (gay rights) hurts anyone. Pedophiles who aren’t gay hurt more people mentally and emotionally than gays hurt anyone. It’s foolish and divisive. All this divisiveness is hurting our country. We used to be able to disagree in this country. It’s OK to have our beliefs but not to push them on people. It’s just sad that people say no, instead of yes. We don’t just let people be anymore. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 8:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501