Finding common ground on the war on religon

The war on religion continues. By now, I’m sure you are familiar with the story surrounding Kim Davis, the clerk in Kentucky who was jailed for failing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her plight has garnered international attention and prompted Republican presidential hopefuls Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz to meet with her, pledging their support.

What you may not be aware of is Davis is not alone in having to decide between her duties and her faith. Meet Charee Stanley, a recently converted member of the Muslim faith and flight attendant for Express Jet. She has been suspended for refusing to serve alcohol which goes against her Islamic faith. Stanley has filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming the airline refused to make a reasonable accommodation.

What is interesting is that both women are basically making the same claim that religion trumps law. It was not too long ago when a boxer named Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces during the Vietnam War. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned his conviction. That defiance did not make him very popular during that time, but he some how overcame it to become “The Greatest” (even if it was self proclaimed).

So where does all of this leave us? The argument of religious freedom versus government will no doubt continue to be a moving target that will never be totally resolved. I just wonder if Huckabee and Cruz will fight as hard for Stanley’s religious freedom as they have for Davis.