A federal appeals court is going to decide whether the government can step on the religious rights of Mississippi residents on behalf of a small group of vocal Americans.

Last year, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed into law a religious freedom bill that simply bars the government from violating the religious beliefs of its residents, including business owners. That came after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized unnatural marriage.

Homosexual activists and their supporters filed suit against the Mississippi law. Federal judge Carlton Reeves ruled against it, sending the case to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Governor Bryant recently appeared as a guest on American Family Radio. He argued that there are many examples in which the government accommodated religious beliefs. In one example, he pointed out that world champion boxer Muhammad Ali refused in April 1967 to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, citing the tenets of his Muslim faith.*

Bryant

“We [also] know [that] at Guantanamo Bay … female soldiers are not allowed to shackle those who are … the known [Islamic] terrorists at Guantanamo Bay,” the governor added. “So we see there are religious exceptions, except where it appears as if it occurs with a Judeo-Christian belief regarding marriage.”

Bryant says the lawsuit filed against the Mississippi law shows the true intent of activists.

“They’re saying I want to take away what religious freedoms the Constitution may afford you – and I’ve going to impose my beliefs upon your belief structure, and you must accept them or the government will punish you.”

The 5th Circuit has heard arguments and will rule in several weeks.