Sadly, here in the US, “deeply held religious beliefs,” get elevated to the same protected status as inherent human characteristics — well, sometimes. In practice, only major religions are actually afforded that status, not that people admit that.

So, we have a pernicious situation which major religions are often allowed to use government funds to stigmatize and discriminate against minorities that they don’t like.

We even have this situation in Staten Island where the organizers of what is clearly a secular, heritage event define it to themselves as religious, and then exclude people even though the event is taking advantage of taxpayer money.

This went to the Supreme Court years ago. The St. Patrick’s organizers won the case.

What’s encouraging is Cincinnati, hardly a liberal bastion, where the City could legally go along with the organizers if they wanted to. But they’re saying no. They’re making the parade sponsors pay for policing and cleanup on their own — no small expense.