Kansas rally pushes for religious freedom, hundreds of citizens participate

Hundreds of religious freedom supporters in Kansas marched at the Statehouse to push for the protection of religious freedom.

The rally brought an estimated 1,000 people to the State Capitol on Wednesday with the message that they do not want to provide goods or services that go against their religious beliefs and faith.

The protesters accuse the Obama administration of attacking religious liberties by approving policies regarding same-sex marriages, and controversial health care mandates around family planning.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback led the rally, and urged conservatives to join the fight.

"This is about freedom of conscience, about freedom of your soul," Brownback said at the rally.

In addition, the Kansas governor said it was the role of citizens to build strong families, which in turn would build a strong country. Gov. Brownback said that at the core of a successful and strong country was religious freedom.

"Don't grow weary," Brownback added. "We need you in this fight."

The people heard several stories and speeches from religious freedom advocates and victims of religious discrimination. 

Barronnelle Stutzman, a florist based in Washington, said that she was legally charged by her state's attorney general, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union when she refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding. She said she could not support the wedding because she did not want to compromise her Christian beliefs.

However, Stutzman stressed that she did not commit discrimination against Rob Ingersoll, a gay man who placed an order for flowers for his wedding.

"I did not turn down Rob because he was gay," Stutzman reiterated. "I turned down an event."

Ryan Henderson, who represents the Heritage Foundation, said that the federal government is beginning to take away religious freedom, and one of its steps is to remove the accreditation of faith-based schools that do not approve of same-sex marriages.