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AlterNet reports
In a classic case of "unintended consequences", the recently signed Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Indiana may have opened the door for the establishment of the First Church of Cannabis in the Hoosier State.
While Governor Mike Pence (R) was holding a signing ceremony for the bill allowing businesses and individuals to deny services to gays on religious grounds or values, paperwork for the First Church of Cannabis Inc. was being filed with the Secretary of State's office, reports RTV6.
Church founder Bill Levin announced on his Facebook page that the church's registration has been approved, writing, "Status: Approved by Secretary of State of Indiana - "Congratulations your registration has been approved!" Now we begin to accomplish our goals of Love, Understanding, and Good Health."
Levin is currently seeking $4.20 donations towards his non-profit church.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by ikanreed on Monday April 06 2015, @07:18PM
Because groups people have routinely abused such powers for no other purpose than to inhibit people from pursuing happy and free lives.
And fuck you for implying that's no big deal. It's no different from giving exceptions for murder or theft laws for belief reasons, except that the assholes who aren't harmed by it can smugly post on the internet.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by bradley13 on Monday April 06 2015, @07:31PM
"It's no different from giving exceptions for murder or theft laws"
A photographer refusing to take pictures of a wedding ceremony is now equivalent to shooting the happy couple?
Listen, we have all sorts of rights that conflict with all sorts of other people's rights. I have the right to freedom of expression, but maybe not while standing in your living room. You have the right to practice your religion, buy maybe not if it involves killing infidels.
Have groups abused their rights? Sure they have. If you have been following this issue, you will have seen the YouTube video of the guy who deliberately seeks out a bakery run by devout Muslims, and claims he wants to order a cake for his gay wedding. He isn't really getting married; heck, he may not even be gay. It's all about getting in someone's face. That is his right, sure, but it's abusive all the same.
You cannot legislate good behavior.
Frankly, I don't even terribly care about the specifics of this bill. However, I am all for any legislation that rolls back the regulatory state.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by ikanreed on Monday April 06 2015, @07:45PM
You cannot legislate good behavior.
Literally the definition of laws. Standards and practices of good behavior all people are expected to adhere to as part of living in society.
Libertarians.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 07 2015, @02:49AM
I disagree. Laws don't enforce good behaviour, they codify already existing standards of society.
That's not a trivial difference - see copyright enforcement, the laws don't match the standards and thus the laws are ineffective.
On the flip side, that doesn't mean we have to enable behaviour that goes against the standards of society. And that's what's going on with the Indiana law - society has moved to the point where enough people think discriminating against gays is unacceptable. Hence the massive outcry with respect to the passage of this law. Similar laws in other states were passed when society had a different opinion - its always more effort to fight the status quo, so those laws are getting a 'pass' for now. They will be repealed eventually. But a brand new law faces extra scrutiny because it is new so that's why all the attention has been focused here.
(Score: 4, Informative) by frojack on Monday April 06 2015, @08:05PM
You cannot legislate good behavior.
Really? Because that is most laws were all about.
You can't legislate personal preferences, love, hate, greed, beliefs, feelings or impulses. But most certainly can legislate behavior.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.