Schumer: Take Your Pick
For-profit companies, or your religion?
Sen. Chuck Schumer says Americans have the right to religious protections – as long as they don’t operate for-profit corporations. “The Court took [the Religious Freedom Restoration Act] and applied it – misapplied it – to for-profit companies who exist for the purpose of benefitting from the open market, working in the marketplace under our laws,” he claimed. “Now think of the difference. You’re born with a religion or you adopt a religion. You have to obey the precepts of that religion and the government gives you a wide penumbra.” By contrast, he says, “You don’t have to form a corporation. We wouldn’t tell the owners of Hobby Lobby to convert to a different religion or disobey their religion – but we don’t say that they have to open up a company and go sell toys or hobby kits.” Why do individuals’ convictions suddenly become irrelevant just because they own a for-profit company? Nobody is forcing Hobby Lobby employees to work there. Regardless of what RAFTA says, the Constitution comes first.