Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has weighed in on the debate surrounding Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, saying that tolerance should be a "two-way street".
Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed by State Governor Mike Pence on March 27. The Act, according to the Huffington Post, would have allowed "allow any individual or corporation to cite its religious beliefs as a defense when sued by a private party."
Human rights groups quickly criticised the passing of the Act, claiming that it would legalise widespread discrimination by businesses against individuals and groups that their religious beliefs did not align with.
The Act was condemned by many corporations including Apple Inc, hotel chain Marriott, and even Indianapolis-based Angie's List, which cancelled a planned $40 million expansion of its headquarters in the state. Several event organisers also cancelled gigs that were supposed to be held in the state.
On April 3, Governor Pence signed a "revised" version of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Huffington Post reported that the Act now "explicitly bars a business from denying services" on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Santorum expressed disappointment at the revision, saying that it gave a "limited view" of religious liberty and freedom in the workplace. He then stated that tolerance should be practised on both sides of the debate.
"Tolerance is a two-way street," Santorum is quoted by CNN as saying.
"If you're a print shop and you are a gay man, should you be forced to print 'God hates fags' for the Westboro Baptist Church because they hold those signs up?" the former senator added as an analogy.
Santorum emphasised that the debate is all about what the government can tell businesses to do with regards to religious beliefs.
"This is about the government coming in saying, 'No - we're going to make you do this.' And this is where I think we just need some space to say, 'Let's have some tolerance - have it be a two-way street,' " the former senator said.
