The movie industry is warning Georgia’s governor that if he signs a religious liberty bill into law, the state risks losing business. The threat comes from 34 actors, writers, producers, directors, movie studios and whole entertainment companies.
“Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law,” the Disney Co. said in a statement.
The bill, which was passed by the legislature, protects religious leaders from being forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies and individuals from being forced to attend such events. It also allows faith-based organizations to deny use of their facilities for events they find “objectionable” and exempts them from having to hire or retain any employee whose religious beliefs or practices differ from those of the organization.
Disney joined the National Football League, Coca-cola, Warner Brothers, AMC and other businesses that had threatened to remove business from the state.
Republican lawmakers argued that the bill would protect religious people who believe serving gay and transgender people violates their beliefs. The bill would have also protected clergy from being forced to perform gay marriages, and people who would not attend weddings based on religious beliefs.
“…It is critical to protect the right to disagree and the civil liberties of those who speak and act in accord with what Americans had always believed about marriage—that it is the union of husband and wife,” said Ryan T. Anderson, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
Yet, Georgia governor Nathan Deal vetoed the legislation, saying, “I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia.” Deal did not make clear how to do that. The veto comes as other US states enacted similar laws that limit gay rights.
The pressure on religious people in America is growing and will continue to lay the foundation for restriction of other religious freedoms.
“And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.” Genesis 19:9