Does Indiana law pave path for bigotry? #tellusatoday

Last week, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which gives the government limited ability to burden a person or corporation's religious practice. Pence called for a "fix" to the law clarifying that businesses cannot discriminate. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Americans have used the Bible to justify segregation, discrimination, war, genocide and murder. There always will be people who try to explain their bigotry as religious freedom. That's why, for example, it took so long for civil rights laws to pass. That's what we do here in America. We find some clever way to discriminate without admitting even to ourselves that that is exactly what we are doing.

— Antonio Navarro Diaz

Indiana joins 19 other states where people are interested in freedom and not being bullied.

— Gerald Vander Hoek

Some Christians consider homosexuality a sin and gays who marry unrepentant sinners. Some Christian bakers think they should have the right not to serve gays. This is a slippery slope. These religious freedom laws will apply elsewhere and in a much broader sense. What about people who refuse to serve others they consider "unrepentant sinners," such as adulterers, thieves and liars?

— Sam England

We asked readers what they thought of Indiana's new law. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

As a pastor's wife, with zero tolerance for discrimination, I hate seeing responses that are vengeful.

— @WondHerful

This law is typical of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

— @pbgpenny

Indiana's law protects liberty.

— @JanetMefferd

His first mistake was signing a bill 19 states already had, including Illinois. There it was passed with help of then state senator Barack Obama.

— @KestrelArts

The bill is deeply disappointing to this Hoosier.

— @AwfulJack

I agree with Pence. The act is vital to the framework of freedom because Bill Clinton signed it into federal law. If you don't like it, don't go to that particular business.

— @wespeak4him

Letter to the editor:

For people and corporations of faith to exclude others based on sexual orientation is reprehensible.

Such a stance sets an example so contrary to the example of Jesus that it would be laughable if it didn't have such a devastating impact on gay, lesbian and transgender Americans. For Indiana to lend support to this draconian attitude is inexcusable.

My wife, who grew up and lived for 30 years in Indiana, is ashamed of the state and wants the governor to understand that not every Hoosier is a bigot.

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.