George Takei is an actor, social justice activist, social media mega-power and star of the upcoming Broadway musical “Allegiance.” He also wrote a must read op-ed piece on why Indiana's Religious Freedom Bill is absurd.

I can't see how anyone can ban a certain group of people from goods and services.  But then again, Indiana is the 20th state to pass a "Religious Freedom" bill. Why?  

What "Religious Freedom" bills tells us is simple: bigotry is still alive and well in "the land of the free."

...or maybe we just like to believe we're in the "land of the free." 

We allow our government to control us, and then we try to control others by passing laws to tell them where they can and cannot shop, where they can and cannot go. 

The year is 2015, and we're still fighting for equality. We're still fighting for Civil Rights for all Americans. 

What's next?  Will a hospital be allowed to cast gay people out of the emergency room?  Will doctors refuse to provide life-saving services?  Sounds absurd, but here we are.  

We're a society that discriminates against others.  We're a society that judges people before we know them.  And if we really had a problem with this bigoted philosophy, then laws like the "Religious Freedom" bill would not exist. 

George Takei's boycott of Indiana is a great idea.  

If it's made in Indiana, no thanks, I'll get it from somewhere else.  Sounds a little extreme?  So were the signs in the South that read "no shirt, no shoes, no blacks, no service" or "whites only" - and we're right back there, with Indiana having the most extreme "Religious Freedom" bill yet.

The number one reason I agree with George Takei to #BoycottIndiana is this quote, taken from his op-ed: 

"I myself am a Buddhist, not a Christian. But I cannot help but think that if Christ ran a public establishment, it would be open to all, and He would be the last to refuse service to anyone. It is, simply put, the most un-Christian of notions."

Right on, George. 

- Jen H. The Off The Grid Team 

Jesse Ventura is an atheist. Watch this "Off The Grid" episode to find out his viewpoint on "Religious Freedom" bills:


The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ora Media, LLC its affiliates, or its employees.

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