[Captain Rhino]

Are beliefs only “sincerely held” if they are religious in nature?

See post number 46 for more.

By the way, I am not a non-believer or an atheist.

[IronJack]

The First Amendment doesn't provide any protection for "sincerely held" beliefs. It guarantees freedom to practice one's RELIGION. I doubt this gym owner's beliefs have anything to do with religion, so he cannot claim any First Amendment protection.

On the other hand, the bakers have a demonstrable obligation under their ancient and well-documented religion to reject behavior that is patently sinful and offensive to their god. Their rejection IS religious in nature, and provably so.

The two cases have nothing in common.