The Religion of Bigotry

The State of Indiana recently enacted a law allowing businesses to discriminate based on religious beliefs.  The impetus appears to be the issue of same-sex marriage.  Some, who object to same-sex marriage, want to be able to withhold business services to gays and lesbians, for religious reasons.

In the mainstream midwest protestant tradition that I was raised in, I was taught that there is right and wrong, that we should try to do right, and that in the end, we all sin and fall short.  I was taught about grace and forgiveness, loving your neighbor, and doing unto others as you would like them to do unto you.

I cannot find the basis in those religious teachings for refusing to sell flowers or cakes to same-sex couples.  In fact, the teaching seems to be the opposite - judge not lest ye be judged.

Even if you believe that homosexual relationships are sinful, so are greed, lust, envy, murder, failing to honor your father and mother, and etc.  A business that refused to trade with sinners would have no customers at all.  So what exactly is the religious basis for this targeted discrimination against same-sex couples?  I don't think there is any.  I think that religion is simply being used as an excuse to discriminate.  In 2015 this is focused on same-sex couples - but the same rationalization could be made for any identifiable behavior or group of people.

I oppose the justification of bigotry as religious freedom.  I strongly oppose the sanction of such bigotry by government.  I'll be watching what happens in Indiana, and hope that this misguided law will be quickly repealed.