Obama-appointed judge again halts Mississippi’s religious freedom law
An Obama-appointed judge has denied the citizens of Mississippi the protections of a religious freedom bill while the legislation works its way through the appeals process. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves denied the state’s motion allowing it to enforce the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act" (H.B. 1523), which Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed April 5. The bill would allow citizens with sincere faith-based objections to opt out of participating in same-sex “marriage” ceremonies, place children in the care of same-sex couples, or rent their homes to homosexuals, among other provisions. State clerks could decline to issue a marriage license or perform a wedding ceremony if they could find another employee willing to do so. The state had invoked conscience laws that prevent people from being forced to participate in abortions, but Judge Reeves said the two situations bore no similarities. “Issuing a marriage license ...