Religious Freedom Revived in Louisiana

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal issued an order that protects people who believe that gays shouldn’t marry, plunging the state into the debate weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether banning same-sex weddings is constitutional.

 

The order prohibits the state from denying or revoking tax exemptions, contracts, licenses or employment as long as a person’s actions were motivated by that belief, according to a statement released by Jindal spokeswoman Alexis Nicaud.

 

“The state should not be able to take adverse action against people, charities and family-owned businesses with deeply held religious beliefs that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Jindal said in the statement.

 

“We do not support discrimination in Louisiana and we do support religious liberty,” he said.

 

Jindal, who is exploring a run for the Republican presidential nomination, issued the order after lawmakers let a bill die that would have mandated similar provisions.