I would like to reply to this topic, particularly regarding gay wedding cakes, but I have no way of doing so while also relating it to gaming.

Quote from: jhkimAccording to most constitutional interpretations, atheists should have all the same rights that religious people do. So, for example, if a religious person can refuse to serve a gay couple, then an atheist should also be able to refuse to serve a gay couple.

Quote from: Dracones;1108050It'd appear that atheists would be covered under the bill. Atheism is a set of religious beliefs and an atheist would have legal protection from denying burdensome service that violates those beliefs. If you were billboard designer and sued for not creating a custom Intelligent Design billboard(Moses riding a T-Rex), it looks like you'd have protection.

Even if your example were true, that's still different rights depending on what one's beliefs are. As I note, an atheist who opposes homosexuality doesn't get the rights that a Christian does -- because only religious belief is protected, not philosophical or scientific or other belief. I think that most atheists would say that atheism is *not* a set of religious beliefs. And indeed, from what I can tell, atheist organizations are generally opposed to these acts, precisely because of the logic I say. The point is that these laws are being driven by the Religious Right, showing that they still do have power. For example, here's a petition from atheists.org:

https://www.atheists.org/2019/03/do-no-harm-act/

Maybe you think the religious freedom laws are correct, and Christians should be able to refuse service to homosexuals, but atheists can't. But the point is that these bills are supported by the Religious Right, and opposed by the Left along with atheists and other groups. Their passage shows that the Religious Right still has significant power.

Regarding RPGs, I tend to agree with Robyo that if mainstream RPGs *were* to be more brazen in supporting LGBT, then there is some potential for a backlash from the Religious Right.

If we are talking about gay wedding cakes, then this needs to go to the Pundits Forum.

Quote from: jeff37923;1108112If we are talking about gay wedding cakes, then this needs to go to the Pundits Forum.

I agree that discussion of gay wedding cakes should go to Pundit's Forum.

I think the more limited point of whether the Religious Right still exists could potentially be separated from that, though.

The initial point was this:

Quote from: RobyoI can see WotC and Paizo starting a new Satanic Panic with the Religious Right over all the trans/homo innuendo in their new products. Oklahoma parents screaming about RPG's trying to turn their kids gay.

Quote from: The_Shadow;1107830Do you really think that this is even potentially a thing? The religious right and "Oklahoma parents" have disappeared, and it's only the left that still paints them as a boogey man. Fact is they put their heads down years ago and insomuch as they still exist, only seek to appease.

I don't think we would have exactly the same Satanic Panic, but I do think that the Religious Right still has power, as shown by the Alabama abortion bill among others.

Quote from: Naburimannu;1108009Having lived 1994-2016 in the bible belt, this is so not consistent with my experience.

And Motorskills' response to you was intended to convey - conveyed to me - the opposite of the point you are claiming it did. Most "Religious Freedom" bills absolutely are the religious right and "Oklahoma parents" attempting to coopt government, not to appease the left.

This is off topic. Do not post in this thread again.

Quote from: Dracones;1108010I don't really understand how the Indiana bill is co-opting the government when it literally removes government power over the individual.

This is off topic. Do  not post on this thread again.

Quote from: S'mon;1108038They want the government to allow people to not have to Bend the Knee. These mad brutes must be destroyed!

This is off topic. Do not post on this thread again.

Quote from: jhkim;1108042Regardless of whether you support it or not, would you agree that it is supported by the Religious Right, and opposed by the Left? It certainly seems to me that the Religious Right is having increased success of late, with success in passing not just religious freedom bills but also with passing abortion restrictions like the Alabama law. That shows they have more legislative representation than they've had in a long time.

As for the law itself, it doesn't remove government power, but rather grants greater rights to individuals *only if they are religious*. That's really a privilege for religious people, rather than a reduction in government power. If this were constitutional rights, then a law that was seen to violate the Establishment Clause should be struck down as unconstitutional -- rather than granting a special case exception in the law for religious people. According to most constitutional interpretations, atheists should have all the same rights that religious people do. So, for example, if a religious person can refuse to serve a gay couple, then an atheist should also be able to refuse to serve a gay couple.

As interesting point as this is, it is also entirely off topic. Do not post in this thread again.