Arizona’s State Legislature recently passed a bill that would allow businesses to refuse to serve homosexuals and other groups due to their religious beliefs. Similar bills have been introduced in Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Dakota, Idaho, Kansas, and Tennessee; Arizona is the only state where this kind of bill has passed. However, Governor Jan Brewer vetoed the bill on February 26th.
From the conservative point of view, the law is meant to safeguard religious freedom. People with these strong convictions may find that certain lifestyle choices like homosexuality conflict with their religious beliefs. Many think that if a potential customer’s lifestyle contrasts irreconcilably with your religious beliefs, your guarantee of freedom of religion gives you the right to refuse them service. These individuals believe this is protected under the first amendment.
Liberals, on the other hand, think the bill will open the door to widespread discrimination. Members of ethnic or religious minorities as well as homosexuals or other persons with non-heterosexual sexual orientations could be refused service. Persons who try to get services in defiance of the law can be sued. In theory, a Catholic hospital would be able to deny services to those whose beliefs and practices go against theirs, which could potentially lead to injury or loss of life. However, if a “compelling government interest” towards giving that person service can be proved, then service cannot be denied.
While Governor Brewer did veto this bill, it is still possible that it may be approved by other states.
