Being a Christian doesn't mean you're perfect, just that you're better than non-believers

A pair of Republican lawmakers claimed that Christian business owners had arguably more rights than corporations that uphold secular values. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) published a column at The Christian Post that compared environmental concerns to moral aversions to LGBT customers or birth control - although the lawmakers never specify those objections. The column compares Chipotle’s decision to stop serving pork at some locations over environmental concerns to the religious rights some Christians have claimed in court battles over denying service to same-sex couples or contraception to employees…. The column focuses on Chipotle’s reputation as “a fast-food chain with a conscience,” arguing that Christians business owners should be free to impose their views on customers and workers.

This idea is so patently absurd (an offensive) that I almost don’t even know where to begin. That the mere fact of being a “Christian business” means having more rights than businesses and corporations that profess secular values is as arrogant as it is contemptible. In this context, being a “Christian business” means having a license to discriminate against whoever a business object to for whatever reason…and being able to claim “religious freedom” when called out for it. That this has nothing at all to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ should be self-evident to those who endeavor to lead Christ-like lives. Sadly, there are those whose bastardized Christianity allows them to hate whom they choose as they claim the imprimatur of the Almighty in doing so.

If you follow the argument put forth by Reps. Lankford and Forbes, being the owner of a “Christian business” means that having more rights than your customers. You can discriminate and refuse service to whomever you choose and claim “religious freedom” as your justification. Your customers, however, have no right to push back…because they don’t meet your standards, whatever they happen to be. Whatever they may be- gay, Muslim, vegetarian, Packers fan- your “religious freedom” means that you’re the ultimate arbiter, a superior being with the final word on who gets treated as worthy and equal.

I have people in my life praying for me, because they’re worried about my soul. Not being a Christian means they believe my immortal soul to be in grave peril. While I’ll accept assistance from whatever quarter it emerges, I can’t take a religion seriously when its adherents hold themselves above others they deem “less than.” My Sunday School days may long since be behind me, but I remember enough to understand that people like Lankford or Forbes are Christians in the same way Jon Stewart’s a closet Republican.

If you truly believe that your “religious freedom” is superior to another individual’s right to be who they are, then you’re the problem. You’re just too arrogant and self-righteous to recognize it.