Quote:Not sure if your example holds weight. You can put on a shirt, shoes. You can't change your skin color.

 

You can argue a business has the freedom to discriminate against an individual, but I'd argue in doing so you're taking away said individual's freedom in the process. I don't think one person (or business) should be afforded a "freedom" at the expense of another person's respective freedom. That shouldn't be the American way of doing business and should be outlawed outright. Under those circumstances, African Americans would still be fighting for their basic civil rights all these years later. I'd argue the freedom to discriminate isn't freedom at all. It contradicts the essence of the term "freedom."

 

Again, we are talking about a business that is privately owned and operated.

 

My argument to you is, if said business does discriminate against an individual, for whatever reason, they are certainly free to do so.  They are not "taking away" said individual's rights or freedom in the process.  The individual is free to take their business elsewhere, and the business owner is free to take the loss of business.

 

Again, at this point in our discussion, I must point out.  Do I personally agree with businesses discriminating against anyone?  Not really.  In the case that I linked to, if it was my property and my business I personally would have allowed the lesbian marriage.  However, that is just my own personal point of view.  The property owners had a different idea, and it should be respected.  They should not be forced to hold a gay marriage on their private property and certainly should not be fined for refusing to do so.  To do so takes away their freedom.

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