Gov. Jindal Signs Executive Order Protecting Religious Freedom

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order May 19th to block the state government from pulling licenses, tax exemptions, grants, and other benefits from companies because of their owners’ views on same-sex marriage or other deeply held religious beliefs.

The executive order carries out the original objectives of a bill sponsored by state Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Bossier City) in support of religious freedom, which died in committee hours before the executive order was issued.

“It is of preeminent importance that government take no adverse action against a person, wholly or partially, on the basis that such person acts in accordance with his religious beliefs that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, but that this principle not be construed to authorize any act of discrimination,” the executive order stated.

Jindal said he believes that the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on same-sex marriage in June may be too late to preserve the religious freedom of Louisiana residents who believe marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

“This is even bigger than marriage…It’s the right to live your lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to your sincerely held religious beliefs,” the governor stated last Tuesday.

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