<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>My concern regarding definitions of "religion" and "religious convictions" is to prevent retailers and/or service providers from copping an easy plea. </div><div><br></div><div>If these definitions are widely generic in application, what's to prevent the Klan, Aryan Nations, or some other racist group from refusing anyone that is not one of "them"?</div><div><br></div><div>As Barry McGuire so aptly reflected, "Hate your next door neighbor, but don't forget to say Grace."</div><div><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"There's room at the top they are telling you still.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you want to be like the folks on the hill."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- John Lennon</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div></div><div><br>On Feb 14, 2014, at 6:15 PM, "deb" <<a href="mailto:debismith@moscow.com">debismith@moscow.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Approximately 408,000 Wiccans in the US (those who
are "out of the broom closet"). This is not a "cult". It is a "movement".
Enough membership to bring it to court? Think so....And we have done it before
with less membership in VERY red states!!....</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Debi R-S</font></div>
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<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><b>From:</b>
<a title="thansen@moscow.com" href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">Tom Hansen</a>
</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="debismith@moscow.com" href="mailto:debismith@moscow.com">deb</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Cc:</b> <a title="suehovey@moscow.com" href="mailto:suehovey@moscow.com">Sue Hovey</a> ; <a title="sunilramalingam@hotmail.com" href="mailto:sunilramalingam@hotmail.com">Sunil</a> ; <a title="vision2020@moscow.com" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision
2020</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 14, 2014 5:55
PM</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] And now Kansas
. . .</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>A couple questions regarding "religious convictions" . . .</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>What is the legally recognized (and enforceable) definition of "a
religion"?</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>What is the legally recognized (and enforceable) definition of "a
religious conviction"?</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I have heard it said that the only difference between a cult and a
religion is the size of the membership.</div>
<div><br>
<div><span style="">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div>
<div><span style=""><br></span></div>
<div><span style="">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants
on)</span></div>
<div><a style="" href="http://www.MoscowCares.com"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div>
<div><span style=""> </span></div>
<div>
<div><span style="">Tom Hansen</span></div>
<div><span style="">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div>
<div><span style=""><br></span></div>
<div><span style="">"There's room at the top they are telling you
still.</span></div>
<div><span style="">But first you must learn how to smile as you
kill,</span></div>
<div><span style="">If you want to be like the folks on the
hill."</span></div>
<div><span style=""><br></span></div>
<div><span style="">- John Lennon</span></div>
<div><span style=""> </span></div></div>
<div><br>On Feb 14, 2014, at 5:44 PM, "deb" <<a href="mailto:debismith@moscow.com">debismith@moscow.com</a>>
wrote:<br><br></div>
<blockquote type="cite">
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial">I'm a Wiccan with sincere religious beliefs.
Can I refuse to sell vegetables to right wing Xtians who want to burn me?
And why would I? I don't give a flying damn about their religion: they want
veg, I want their money. Not a problem....</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">However, if I need my rototiller fixed, can the
guy who's the "fix-it" refuse because I'm a Witch? Who gets to decide if his
beliefs are sincere or just a right wing political reaction to my
known political lefty leanings? Big time trouble with this one, again
causing the tax payers in Idaho a ton of money in court costs while the
poorest residents of our state still can't get medical services.....I love
Idaho, but our politicians (note I didn't even <u><em>hint</em></u> at
"statesmen/women") need a wake-up call about the realities of our state.
Those 70somethings with "fear of the different" are dying off, and
new/younger voters are beginning to feel the pain. </font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Good thing for those right wingers they put
education in the toilet in Idaho. A stupid public is easily influenced----"a
chicken in every pot? Sure, and we will make sure the
gays/liberals/muslims/feds don't take it away from you! You need a hospital?
Hush up! Just die, 'cause there's always more of you uneducated fools to
vote for us....."</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">My nasty rant for the month. Done. Don't bother
to reply. I'm preaching to the choir, and other than that I know I'm trying
to teach the pig to sing: annoying the pig and wasting my time.
</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Debi R-S</font></div>
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<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><b>From:</b>
<a title="suehovey@moscow.com" href="mailto:suehovey@moscow.com">Sue
Hovey</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="sunilramalingam@hotmail.com" href="mailto:sunilramalingam@hotmail.com">Sunil</a> ; <a title="vision2020@moscow.com" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision
2020</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 14, 2014 1:11
PM</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] And now
Kansas . . .</div>
<div><br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<div>I’m sure ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) wrote them. One
thing that ticks me off is our tax money goes to pay the Idaho memberships
in ALEC. A number of Idaho legislators have been on their governing
board. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Isn’t it interesting that the legislators are giving persons with
“sincere religious convictions” license to be practicing bigots.
What if I am Muslim and believe in Sharia law? Am I also free to
claim “sincere religious convictions” and discriminate against women in
public? </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Additionally, if my doctor has given me a prescription, why should a
pharmacist be given legal permission to refuse to fill it? </div>
<div> </div>
<div>When I was teaching, I had a couple of students who claimed to be
witches....should I have had them killed before or after school?(Exodus
22:18)</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sue </div>
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<div> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<div style="font-color: black"><b>From:</b> <a title="sunilramalingam@hotmail.com" href="mailto:sunilramalingam@hotmail.com">Sunil</a> </div>
<div><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 14, 2014 3:52 AM</div>
<div><b>To:</b> <a title="vision2020@moscow.com" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision 2020</a> </div>
<div><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] And now Kansas . .
.</div></div></div>
<div> </div></div>
<div style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<div dir="ltr">Roger,<br><br>Let's turn what you're saying on its head: How
about, if someone doesn't want to serve the public, he or she doesn't
become a pharmacist? How about that person goes and digs ditches
instead?<br><br>It would be interesting to see the bills and how similar
they are. Which organization is drafting them? Or did people in different
states happen to come up with the same bigoted, boneheaded idea at the
same time?<br><br>Sunil<br><br>
<div>
<hr id="stopSpelling">
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:13:11 -0800<br>To: <a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>; <a href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">thansen@moscow.com</a><br>From: <a href="mailto:lfalen@turbonet.com">lfalen@turbonet.com</a><br>Subject: Re:
[Vision2020] And now Kansas . . .<br><br>
<div dir="ltr" class="ecxiw_mail">
<div dir="ltr" class="ecxiw_mail">I have mixed feelings about theses bills.
EMT's and Emergency Room Personell should provide service to everyone no
matter who they are. Like wise any government agency should provide
service to everyone. A Pharmacist dispensing pills is another mater.
A person could simpley go to another pharmacy. Likewise for the people who
wanted a wedding cake.<br>As written though I would be against the Idaho,
Tennessee and Kansas bills.<br>Roger<br><br>
<div class="ecxsignature"></div><br>
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<hr size="1">
-----Original Message-----<br>From: "Tom Hansen" <<a href="mailto:thansen@moscow.com">thansen@moscow.com</a>><br>To:
"Moscow Vision 2020" <<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>><br>Date:
02/13/14 16:14<br>Subject: [Vision2020] And now Kansas . . .<br><br>
<div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div>
<div>Courtesy of Time magazine at:</div>
<div> </div>
<div><span><a href="http://nation.time.com/2014/02/11/kansas-bill-allowing-refusal-of-service-to-gay-couples-moves-forward/print/" target="_blank">http://nation.time.com/2014/02/11/kansas-bill-allowing-refusal-of-service-to-gay-couples-moves-forward/print/</a></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>-----------------------------------</div>
<div>
<h1 style="FONT-FAMILY: helvetica, arial, sans-serif" class="ecxentry-title">Kansas Bill Allowing Refusal Of Service to Gay
Couples Moves Forward</h1>
<p style="FONT-FAMILY: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(51,51,51); FONT-SIZE: 1.06em" class="ecxentry-deck">Bill would permit businesses and government
employees to deny service on basis of religious
principles</p> </div>
<div><span>Kansas lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would permit
businesses and government employees to deny service to same-sex couples
on the basis of their religious principles. The measure passed an
initial vote in the house by a significant margin, 72 votes to 42 votes.
In a final vote on Wednesday, the bill succeeded 72 votes to 49 votes
and will now be considered by the Republican-controlled state
senate.</span></div>
<div>
<p><span>State lawmakers engaged in heated debate over <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2453_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 2453</a>, which would allow hotels, restaurants
and stores in the state to refuse to serve gay couples if "it would be
contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs." The bill would also
allow government clerks to refuse to sign same-sex marriage licenses
without threat of a lawsuit.</span></p>
<p><span>If a government employee chooses to refuse service, the bill
states that the government must attempt to provide another employee to
"promptly" provide that service "if it can be done without undue
hardship to the employer."</span></p>
<p><span>This bill is part of a <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://nation.time.com/2014/02/10/gay-marriage-kansas-colorado-wedding-cake/" target="_blank">larger trend across the U.S.</a>, pitting gay rights
advocates against conservatives who say same-sex marriage is contrary to
their religious beliefs. A baker in Colorado was ordered to stop
discriminating against same-sex couples in December, after refusing to
make a cake for a gay couple's wedding.</span></p>
<p><span>--------------------</span></p>
<p><span>Kansas House Bill 2453</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2453_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2453_00_0000.pdf</a></span></p>
<p><span> </span><span>-----------------------------------</span></p> </div>
<div>
<div><span>Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div>
<div><span><br></span></div>
<div><span>"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants
on)</span></div>
<div><a style="href: 'http://www.moscowcares.com/'" target="_blank"><font color="#000000"></font></a><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com" target="_blank">http://www.MoscowCares.com</a></font></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div>
<div><span>Tom Hansen</span></div>
<div><span>Moscow, Idaho</span></div> </div>
<div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div>
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