Heads Up: The real religious freedom fight is about to begin — in Louisiana

Washington Post ^ | 04/08/2015 | By Hunter Schwarz

[SeekAndFind]

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), a possible 2016 contender, is a relative unknown among voters; only 1 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents prefer him, according to the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll.

That could soon change.

Following on the heels of contentious religious freedom bills in Indiana and Arkansas, Jindal said he plans to support his state's own bill. Judging from how Indiana's bill catapulted Gov. Mike Pence (R) to the national spotlight, Jindal could soon see the same thing happen for him — and not necessarily in a good way. But Louisiana's debate could be different in one significant way.

Whereas Indiana and Arkansas had versions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, which included broad language that critics have said could have unintended consequences, Louisiana's Marriage and Conscience Act is more focused and deals specifically with religious beliefs in relation to same-sex marriage.

Polling suggests that could -- emphasis on could -- be more popular and more difficult for opponents to beat back. Critics can't as easily point to the possibility of the vague language leading to unintended discrimination, and polling shows half or more of voters support exempting religious businesses from serving gay weddings. A March 2014 Washington Post-ABC News poll found only 28 percent believe businesses should be able to refuse service to gay and lesbian people in general because of religious belief, but a January AP-GfK poll found 57 percent believe that wedding-related businesses should be able to refuse service. (A later Pew poll put it at 47 percent.)

[a fool in paradise]

Same sex marriage is not recognized in Louisiana. It it ludicrous to prosecute people for refusing to honor an unrecognized marriage arrangement (this same contradiction came into play in another state, I think New Mexico).

Judicial activism be damned.

[SeekAndFind]

Same sex marriage is not YET recognized in Louisiana.

Wait till the SCOTUS rules and see what happens.

[joshua c]

Bobby, you have sounded strong so far. Hold the line!

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[conservativejoy]

I like Bobby Jindal. He should be on the short list for VP. For a while I thought Kasich was a good choice ubtil I found out how all in he was on Obamacare.