An explanation of AB 277 needed

By Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas

Monday, April 13, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Assemblymen Erven Nelson and John Ellison and Sen. Joe Hardy’s sponsorship of Assembly Bill 277 is simply a smokescreen, a veiled attempt to further divide the populace to garner political favor with religious conservatives, knowing full well that a majority of the affected groups of American citizens will never vote for them anyway. Many of us are not completely clear about the relationship between AB 277 and the Nevada Constitution’s “free exercise clause” and need to better understand this bill’s intent. Please enlighten us.

If passed, will any business licensed in Nevada be able to refuse service to a gay person or legally married gay couple because it is against an employee’s, owner’s or business’s religious belief? Will a business/ employer be allowed to terminate an employee because their religion or personal proclivity differs from their own religious belief? Will businesses be required by the relevant government business licensing agency to prominently display who they will and will not serve? Will the employer give each current and future employee a litmus test to determine if they are compatible with their religious beliefs and therefore suitable for hire? Will the employer/ business obtain a formal document from their recognized religious organization stating unequivocally who he, she or it must deem inappropriate to serve? Will the employer/business be allowed to have their own special religion? If there are special religions, will illegal immigrants, atheists, blacks, unwed mothers, or homosexuals be allowed to participate?

Perhaps it’s best if our state representatives simply name who can join a new religion and save all of us the trouble of discovery. Any person or entity that refuses service based solely upon a religious belief system should have their business license denied or revoked. I sincerely hope we don’t become Indiana. It isn’t a desirable thing.