Although homosexualists, aided by mainstream media, successfully bullied conservative Republicans, who control both Indiana and Arkansas government, into backtracking on newly passed Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA), the watered-down law finally enacted in Arkansas is still not satisfactory to homosexualists who say they'll continue to wield corporate America against the Christians.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
New Law Against 'Gay Rights' Ordinances Passes in Arkansas
But in Arizona, Homosexualists & Liberal Media Defeat Religious Liberty
And, after new Indiana Law Fights Gay Agenda, Leaders Surrender in Hours
Media, Gays Shut Down Indiana Christian Pizza Restaurant
Also read New Mississippi Religious Liberty Law Infuriates Liberals
And read Kansas GOP Governor Rescinds 'Gay Rights' of Dem. Governor
-- From "Indiana and Arkansas add LGBT protections to religious freedom laws" by Andrew DeMillo and Tom Davies, Associated Press 4/2/15
The Arkansas House voted 76-17 to adopt a revised bill after Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked for changes in the wake of mounting criticism. Hutchinson signed it only moments after the vote, saying the new version recognizes that "we have a diverse workforce and a diverse culture."
. . . Hutchinson faced pressure from the state's largest employers, including retail giant Wal-Mart. Businesses said the bill would hurt Arkansas' image. Hutchinson noted that his own son had signed a petition urging him to veto the bill.
Wal-Mart on Thursday applauded the compromise.
The revised Arkansas measure only addresses actions by the government, not by businesses or individuals. Supporters said that would prevent businesses from using it to deny services to individuals. Opponents said they believed the measure still needs explicit anti-discrimination language.
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From "Arkansas, Indiana governors sign amended religious freedom laws" by Michael Muskal and Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times 4/2/15
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the modified bill after sending the measure back to the state Legislature early this week. He asked that the new measure closely reflect a 1993 federal law signed by President Clinton that was the first of the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.
The Arkansas House approved the bill, 76 to 16, after reaching a legislative compromise earlier in the day. The state law, like the federal, prohibits state and local government from infringing on someone's religious beliefs without a compelling interest.
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From "Religious leeway now law" by Spencer Willems, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 4/3/15
. . . By the letter of SB975, neither state nor local laws or policies can infringe on one's beliefs unless the government can demonstrate that it has a "compelling" interest and that it is using that "least restrictive" means to achieve it.
The compromise bill came a day after Hutchinson received House Bill 1228 by Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, and said that the bill strayed too far from the time-tested standard of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The governor called on lawmakers to strike a balance between religious rights and the desire to grow a diverse Arkansas.
Ballinger's version of the bill was longer and could be used as a legal protection in cases where there was no government action or law, which critics said created too many legal uncertainties and opened the door for greater discrimination against unprotected classes of people, including gays.
Speaking from the House floor Thursday, Ballinger said he has worked for years to protect the rights of religious believers and that SB975 accomplished that goal. He said his earlier version of the bill was good and did not discriminate.
Many opponents had wanted SB975 to have a nondiscrimination clause, similar to the one added to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana that was also signed into law Thursday. They said the final version in Arkansas would still provide aid and encouragement to those who discriminate.
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Also read Corporations Embrace Gay Agenda, With a Vengeance
And read Business, Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go Gay
