The Patriot Post® · Pence Defends Religious Liberty Law

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence defended his state’s new Religious Freedom Restoration Act in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal. “I want to make clear to Hoosiers and every American that despite what critics and many in the national media have asserted, the law is not a ‘license to discriminate,’ either in Indiana or elsewhere,” Pence wrote. “In fact, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act reflects federal law, as well as law in 30 states nationwide. Indiana’s legislation is about affording citizens full protection under Indiana law.” He continued, “Indiana’s new law contains no reference to sexual orientation. It simply mirrors federal law that President Bill Clinton signed in 1993.” In fact, he concluded, “Some express concern that Indiana’s RFRA law would lead to discrimination, but RFRA only provides a mechanism to address claims, not a license for private parties to deny services. Even a claim involving private individuals under RFRA must show that one’s religious beliefs were ‘substantially burdened’ and not in service to a broader government interest – which preventing discrimination certainly is. The government has the explicit power under the law to step in and defend such interests.” Nevertheless, leftists will continue to cry about “discrimination” because it fits their narrative.