Religious freedom or license to discriminate?

In almost all of the stories I’ve read about the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts being passed, some business owner says he or she doesn’t want to be forced to provide services to gay couples getting married because it violates the owner’s religious convictions.

Would he or she also deny services to an alcoholic marrying the woman he cheated with during his second marriage? Drunkenness, infidelity and divorce don’t violate their religious convictions?

Or is it just that he or she doesn’t ask questions, and is happy to take the money as long as the “violations” aren’t overt?

— Michael O’Connor, Burleson

It is not discrimination to refuse to be part of an activity that you believe violates sacred Scripture, to aid and abet wrongful behavior.

This is not a rejection of a person, it is a rejection of what he or she is doing. Parents practice this when correcting the actions of their children. “Love the sinner, hate the sin” acknowledges this clear distinction.

The tragic condition of so many American families does not justify further disregard of God’s inviolate design for marriage and the complementary nurture of children.

— Woody Woodrow, Arlington

The following analogy will provide a proper perspective on the Religious Freedom Restoration Acts.

Recently there has been a great deal of discussion about the Dallas Cowboys’ signing of Greg Hardy, most of which was based in moral value judgments about Hardy’s alleged civil infractions.

Many questioned the judgment of owner Jerry Jones, but I can’t recall anyone, including sportscaster Dale Hansen, claiming that it was not Jones’ call. After all, he owns the team, right?

Similarly, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act offers business owners the right to make value judgments about their businesses, within lawful boundaries, based on their “sincerely held” religious beliefs. Our First Amendment affords them that right.

Given the First Amendment, it’s unfortunate that Religious Freedom Restoration Acts are even necessary.

— Larry Foxworth, Burleson

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., seemed to suggest on CNN that gays in this country should be thankful the state doesn’t execute them. “In Iran,” he said, “they hang you for the crime of being gay.”

This man is a U.S. senator, elected by and representing all the people of Arkansas.

I think this remark is so repulsive there is no need to say anything else.

— Herman I. Morris, Fort Worth

Selling our souls

Because the Parade of Lights has been moved to five days before Thanksgiving, Reata restaurant claims its business will be helped. Well, that’s a load off.

For a city that prides itself on Western heritage and unique traditions, Fort Worth should take a look around.

That heritage and those traditions are eroding every year — this time for the enrichment of Downtown Fort Worth Inc. (a nonprofit?) and Sundance Square.

We are selling our souls and hypocritically calling it “opportunity for growth.”

When will we light our Christmas tree this year? The day after Halloween?

Do the mayor and City Council get to chime in on this, or have they already?

— Billy Grammer, Fort Worth

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Religious freedom or license to discriminate?."