Pro-Gay Hysteria Over Indiana's Religious Liberty Law

By Shane Kastler

The media, as usual, has gone completely over board regarding an Indiana law that prohibits the government from forcing businesses to go along with practices that violate their religious consciences. We've all heard horror stories of “Christian bakers” who are forced by “anti-discrimination” laws to bake cakes for gay weddings. Should they be forced to? Should they be allowed to refuse service? Does this type of thing ever really happen? Probably not too much. But if it happens even once, you can expect to hear from the rainbow-clad thought police on what we are allowed and not allowed to think (or do). Anyone who appears even remotely against “all things gay” will be branded a bigoted, homophobic, Nazi, backwoods redneck who has the audacity to oppose the glorious, progressive beauty of unrestrained queerdom. Several issues are at stake in this case.


First of all, from the perspective of liberty, what right does the government have to butt it's nose into business transactions between two parties? For the past several decades, the government has granted itself almost universal right to do so. Be it dictating how much an employer must pay an employee (minimum wage); or how many of a particular ethnic group the employer is required (or banned if they are white) from hiring (affirmative action). The government declares itself to be “God” and tells the employer how to think. This is especially true when it comes to “gayness” which has lately been elevated to the position of sacred cow in the realm of so-called discrimination. Here's a thought, why not let bakers sell to whoever they please? If a Christian baker doesn't want to make a cake for a gay wedding, countless others will gladly do it. The Christian baker loses the money, some other baker gains it. Let the free market determine this and let the government mind it's own business. But no. That could never happen. The rainbow-clad thought police aren't interested in freedom (like they claim to be). They are interested in using all forms of power to force all people to submit to their way of seeing things. And expect to get publicly bludgeoned if you don't go along with it. Countless political hacks, Hollywood doofuses, brain-dead athletes, and sleazy entertainers have bashed the state of Indiana and called for a boycott unless they rescind their religious liberty law. Interesting. If a state defends a Christian's freedom they get boycotted. If the state praises sodomy they get accolades. Go figure. I guess since Charles Barkley and Miley Cyrus have come out against Indiana, we should all jump on board right? The same Charles Barkley who last week (as a basketball commentator) praised a Kansas Jayhawk basketball player's first half performance. Even though the player in question had been sidelined for several weeks. As for Miley Cyrus. Need I elaborate on why we might question her judgment? If Barkley and Cyrus are now telling Americans how to think, we're in real trouble. Which, by the way, we are. And now, USC Athletic Director Pat Haden comes riding to the rescue.

Haden, who serves on the 13 member college football playoff committee, is scheduled to attend some meetings in Indianapolis next week. Now, he's refusing, as a matter of principle. In his proud support of all things gay, Haden will not attend the meeting unless Indiana changes it's law. Of course Haden has a dog in the fight, because he has a son who is openly gay. Haden expressed his “support” for his son, by refusing to do his job and attend the NCAA meeting in Indiana. Haden says he loves his son. Good for him. Haden refuses to do his job. Bad for him. If he had any integrity he would step down. If USC had any guts they would fire him for insubordination.  But integrity isn't in vogue. Neither is guts.  Being “pro-gay” is. And not surprisingly, Haden is being praised as a “hero.” NBC sports called him “brave” for his stand. My question: What is so brave about going along with the crowd? Is Indiana Governor Mike Pence being praise by NBC for his bravery in standing against the tide? No way.

Pat Haden is historically flaky to begin with. This is the same Pat Haden who came down on the sideline, and argued with a referee during a football game last year. Deplorable conduct for an athletic director. But he's brave for being pro-gay. This is the same Pat Haden who, in 2012, issued a vote of confidence for football coach Lane Kiffin, only to fire him a couple weeks later in the airport. But he's brave for being pro-gay. This is the same Pat Haden who all but publicly hired interim football coach Ed Orgeron after he led the Trojans to a 6-2 record; then promptly hired someone else to replace Orgeron at the end of the season. But he's brave for being pro-gay. Since when did it become brave to go along with the rabble rousers?

As is common in America today, the media blows a whole bunch of nothing into a major firestorm and any celebrity who jumps on board gets a medal for being “brave.” And anyone with the spine to stand for truth or freedom, gets crucified. Americans need to learn to think for themselves and make decisions based on common sense. Governmental control creates far more problems that it ever solves. And the hysterical media does little more than fan the flames of lunacy by turning non-issues into major headlines. This Indiana law has nothing to do with turning black people away from lunch counters but you'd never know that from the over-reactions in the news. In fact, the Indiana law isn't about gay marriage either. It's about protecting religious citizens from an over aggressive government. This is an issue that all citizens should be in favor of. Liberty would be nice. But liberty isn't accepted in today's America. You must bow at the altar of “all things gay” or get bulldozed by the bullies on the left. You'll recognize them by their feigned bravery. They'll be led by the likes of Barkley, Cyrus, and Haden. The 21st century version of Larry, Moe, and Curly. But, hey. They're brave! They go along with the crowd and bully anyone who doesn't. They're brave! Uh-huh.

Think for yourself America! Reject the anti-liberty nonsense that gets pawned off as enlightened tolerance. Keep the government out of your life and everyone elses. Let the bakers sell to whoever they wish. And tell the Pat Hadens of the world to either do their job or quit. Stop making heroes out of politically correct cowards. And let us see if America, with common sense as her guide and God as her judge; can find her way out of the moral quagmire she has found herself in.

Shane Kastler is Pastor at the Heritage Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA and Co-Host; "Church & State" KELB Radio, 100.5 FM. He blogs at The Narrow Road.