Indiana, Arkansas Govs Sign Revised Bills into Law
Governors in Indiana and Arkansas have signed amended versions of their states' religious freedom laws after a media uproar and protests claiming the original measures allowed for discrimination, particularly against gays.
But supporters said that was never true.
The revisions are designed to keep businesses from denying services to customers based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
"Most importantly the change in the RFRA law will hopefully put an end to this greatest misperception of all, that is that the people of indiana discriminate, because I can tell you honestly that nothing could be further from the truth," Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said.
The news comes after an avalanche of criticism from left-wing opponents who view the legislation as nothing more than a vehicle for discrimination.
"Over the past week, this law has become a subject of great misunderstanding and controversy across our state and nation," Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Thursday.
"However we got here, we are where we are, and it is important that our state take action to address the concerns that have been raised and move forward," he added.
Meanwhile, police have stepped up patrols around a pizzeria in Walkerton, Indiana, after it received numerous threats. One of the owners said they would serve gay customers, but wouldn't service a same- sex wedding.
"If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no," Memories Pizza co-owner Crystal O'Connor said. "We are a Christian establishment."
The threats were so severe, the owners have been forced to close the restaurant until further notice.
"I don't know if we will re-open, or if we can, if it's safe to re-open," O'Connor told TheBlaze. "We're in hiding basically, staying in the house."
Meanwhile, defenders of the restaurant have started a GoFundMe page and so far it's already raised $500,000 for the shop owners.
Efrem Graham spoke with CBN Chief Political Correspondent David Brody about the need for laws protecting religious freedom and how Christian businesses owners will suffer without them. Click play to watch:
