Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would officially repeal the bipartisan Defense of Marriage Act and enshrine into federal law a radical redefinition of marriage.
Forty-seven Republicans joined Democrats in passing the bill, leading to speculation that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer might be able to find enough Republican votes to pass the legislation in the upper chamber.
While there are compelling reasons for conservatives and Christians to oppose redefining marriage in federal law (such as not wanting our laws to tell lies about the nature of marriage, the welfare of children, basic principles of federalism, and the history of marriage law), concerns related to religious freedom may be most alarming to a wider audience.
Even before the Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage, hostility was rising against those with sincerely held religious beliefs about marriage.
And in its wake, numerous wedding vendors have been intimidated and harassed for declining to violate their conscience and participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies. Some of these cases have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Additionally, religious schools have faced lawsuits over nondiscrimination and public accommodation policies. And Faith-based adoption agencies have also faced many challenges.