Venue Investigated for Declining to Host Same-Sex Weddings

Religious Freedom, , ,

A wedding and event venue in Iowa reportedly is under investigation for declining to host same-sex weddings.

News outlets indicate the Grand Rapids’ Office of Equity and Engagements is investigating The Broadway Avenue, a wedding and event venue, for possibly violating the city’s “human rights ordinance.”

The Broadway Avenue is owned and operated by a husband and wife team.

The couple proclaims on the venue’s website, “We believe in Jesus and are so blessed by his calling in our lives to start The Broadway Avenue!”

Christian-owned wedding venues, bakeries, photography studios, and florist shops have come under fire in recent years for declining to host or participate in same-sex ceremonies.

Many have found themselves targeted by state and local “non-discrimination” ordinances that do not contain adequate protections for people who want to operate their businesses in keeping with their deeply-held religious convictions.

Stories like these underscore why it is so important for states to enact solid protections for religious liberty.

Without good protections for religious liberty at the state level, cities and counties may be able to run roughshod over the free exercise of religion.

Fortunately, Arkansas enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015 that helps protect religious liberty.

And last year the Arkansas Legislature voted to place the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment on the 2022 ballot.

If passed, the amendment would enshrine many of the same religious liberty protections from the 2015 law into the Arkansas Constitution, and our protect religious liberties from further erosion.

You Can Learn More About the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment Here.

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Pennsylvania Town Issues Citation Against Local Churches Providing Food, Counseling to Community

Religious Freedom, , ,

Public officials in the Philadelphia suburb of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, recently issued a citation against two churches operating ministries in their community.

NPR affiliate WHYY reports that the churches were cited for violating the city’s zoning code by offering free meals and providing mental health services.

The Pottstown Zoning Officer reportedly cited an Episcopal church and a United Methodist church for the violations.

“Violations” listed on the citation include:

  • Providing free counseling and support for families.
  • Providing soap, razors, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, phone chargers, and canned goods to the public.
  • Providing weekly buffet style meals for the public.

The citation draws from the city zoning code that defines a church as “A building wherein persons assemble regularly for religious worship and that is used only for such purposes and for those accessory activities as are customarily associated therewith.”

The citation gave the ministries 30 days to apply for a zoning permit with the city or cease and desist these services.

If the churches failed to do so, they could be fined up to $500. The Episcopal News Service reports that the churches do not intend to stop the programs or apply for additional permits.

Churches should not be threatened with fines simply for giving food and basic necessities to the needy.

Stories like this one underscore why it is so important for states to safeguard the free exercise of religion.

In 2016 the Arkansas Department of Health told a Carroll County food ministry that it could not serve soup to the homeless unless the soup was “prepared in an institutional kitchen and served in the same building.”

Fortunately, a religious freedom restoration law the Arkansas Legislature passed in 2015 helped protect that ministry.

Last year the Arkansas Legislature voted to place the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment on the 2022 ballot. If passed, it would enshrine many of the same religious liberty protections from the 2015 law into the Arkansas Constitution.

You Can Learn More About the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment Here.

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