The U.S State of Georgia's Governor, Nathan Deal, vetoed a religious liberty bill that would prevent the state government from punishing churches, pastors and faith based organisations for refusing to perform same sex marriage or declining service to those who violate their sincerely held religious belief.
However, it is speculated that the veto may be related to pressure from Hollywood studios who have threatened to boycott the state if it passes the bill.
According to a report from Christian Post, Georgia's "Pastor Protection Act," or H.B. 757, was passed by both legislative houses in February despite opponents of the measure claiming it facilitates discrimination of LGBT people.
Disney and Marvel have recently threatened to stop filming in Georgia if the bill is passed, in its effort to oppose discrimination. The Human Rights Campaign also wrote to Deal with signatures from Hollywood A-listers who are strongly opposing the bill, NBC reported
In his statement on Monday, Deal said he sees no need to discriminate against anyone in order to protect the faith based community in Georgia.
"Georgia is a welcoming state. It is full of loving, kind and generous people. And that is what we should want. They choose to worship God in the way they see fit in a myriad of ways, in a variety of different settings. I believe that that is our best side. And our people, every day, work side by side without regard to the color of their skin of their fellow mate. Or the religion that their co-worker might adhere to. They are simply trying to make life better for themselves, their families and their communities. That is the character of Georgia. I intend to do my part to keep it that way," he said.
"For that reason, I will veto House Bill 757. I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia, of which I and my family have been a part of for all of our lives," he explained.
While members of the LGBT community lauded Deal's decision, the governor has earned criticism from faith leaders.
Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, wasted no time in tweeting his disappointment over the decision, saying it was "shameful."
"GA Gov. @NathanDeal sell-out to big business pressure on religious freedom one more example of what serving Mammon does to the common good," Moore posted in another tweet.
For his part, Timothy Head, the Executive Director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, contradicted Deal's statement that HB 757 enables discrimination when it specifically provides for its prohibition.
"Governor Deal had publicly stated his willingness to sign a religious freedom bill that did not authorize discrimination. This bill does not, and in fact includes an explicit provision prohibiting discrimination. HB 757 simply protects pastors, churches, and faith-based organizations from being forced to violate their religious beliefs. It also codifies into state law the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, which Governor Deal voted for as a member of Congress."
