If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It: Religious Freedom Act Take II

Religious Freedom Act Take II
I received a number of emails in response to Indiana Legalizes Discrimination on Grounds of “Religious Freedom”.
The bill, signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence openly encourages discrimination based on sexual preference although Pence incredulously denies that claim. Pence now recognizes the need to “clarify” the legislation.
One of the better email responses came from reader Mark who wrote …
The Constitution plainly states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is sacrosanct. The only restrictions placed on religious freedom are those religious practices that harm others.
And I would say ‘Yes’ if you wanted to post a ‘No Catholics’ or ‘No Jews’ sign on the front door of your business. I would also warn, in the same breath, that you may find your business surrounded by protestors and boycotted the very next day. That is the market forces at work. Even though I am neither a Catholic nor a Jew, I would not do business with someone that had that sign on their front door. That is my choice, too.
Mark
If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It
I replied …

This post was published at Global Economic Analysis on March 31, 2015.