Should churches be allowed to not perform gay marriages?

I have been reading about all sorts of conflicts between religious freedom claims and civil rights claims; between personal beliefs and individual needs; between conservative religious groups and LGBT rights activists; between employer's religious beliefs and employee's health needs; between religious groups' right to allow only people of their faith in their group or to adopt children from their faith's agency, and minority groups' rights; between the rights of landlords, bosses, and owners of public facilities such as restaurants and businesses, and the rights of minorities who have different needs; between the right for women in women's shelters and in public bathrooms to feel safe, and the rights of transgender individuals; and about the debate between the common good verses inalienable human rights. 


It is enough to make my head swim! These debates have caused a lot of emotions, fears, and hatred which sadly have sometimes exploded in violence against religious groups, especially minority faiths. All this in defense of religious beliefs? 

What about those who are trying to destroy religion altogether seeing them as "antiquated", "unenlightened", and "bigoted"?  Aren't they trying to force their "religion" of atheism, or acceptance of "other sexuality", on others? Does anyone have the "right",  no matter what their religion or beliefs, to treat others with anything less than love and respect, even if they worship differently, or express their sexuality differently?

Is force ever justified? Should people be forced to do things that are against their principles? Should ministers be forced to perform  marriages which go against their basic concept of marriage and family? Should doctors be forced to perform abortions which violate their basic commitment to saving life? 

Whose rights should be defended? Where do my personal rights end and your rights begin? How should majority and minority rights be balanced?

In the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights we are given religious freedom. For an explanation of these rights go to: Freedoms Established in the First Amendment

Though few states have followed, in 2015 Utah led out in reconciling the needs of the conservative religious groups within the state and the needs of their LGBT community by bringing the leaders of both groups together and working out a compromise which enabled them to meet the basic needs of both groups. To read more about how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported legislation which protected Utah's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender right to fair housing and employment opportunities see  Utah's anti-discrimination and religious freedom legislation .

Why did The Church advocate this legislation? It is because "free agency", or the right to make your own choices, is integral to their faith. This is one of their basic beliefs which they conscientiously try to live.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

For other basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints see: Articles of Faith

So do I think all the various "rights" can be peacefully reconciled? Yes, I do, but not by using force. Instead, solutions will come as we respect that each of us has a right to make our own choices as long as they do not take away another person's rights, or endanger their safety. 

Site on Religious Freedom

Facebook Religious Freedom page

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-11-1020-what-is-religious-freedom?category=topics/religious-freedom&lang=eng