I’m not a lawyer

So I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this story, or the pastor’s concerns.  I do know that non-progressives, especially Christians, are concerned about the possible loss of their religious freedom.  Appealing to freedom of worship doesn’t cut it.  Any nation can allow freedom of worship.  Technically you can worship God in your mind and heart, or even spirit.  You just don’t dare express your religion openly or allow it to run afoul of the state.  And that’s not freedom.

I get that we already limit religious liberty.  Just like we limit speech.  You can’t sacrifice virgins on pagan altars and you can’t yell ‘Movie!’ in a crowded fire house.  Yet those two examples are becoming the basis for pushing a growing number of ideas that run afoul of modern, post-Christian, secular sensitivities into the garbage dump of lost freedoms.  Hence the concern.

The response from non-conservatives doesn’t help.  I want to hear more progressives decry any attempt to limit religious freedom or impose values and beliefs on Americans by threat of retribution.  All too often, however, I hear dismissive responses, waving of hands and mocking the idea that anyone is ever going to be punished because of their beliefs, even as it is happening.  Moving that little line in the sand another inch forward is still moving it, even if you deny you’re doing it.  Either decry such actions or admit you support them.  And if you support them, then don’t be surprised when people like the pastor in question are understandably suspicious, if not scared.