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Beeldredacteur
World News

Tech giant opposes North Carolina religious freedom bill

by Hannah Tooley

Christian Today reported that IBM's North Carolina executive, Robert Greenberg, sent a letter to the state governor stating the company's opposition to the proposed law.

The letter is reported to have said that the passage of the legislation would: "enable discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation or identity.

"IBM is opposed to discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or religion. We urge you to work with the Legislature to ensure that any legislation in this area is not discriminatory."

The company employs several thousand workers in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park. IBM joined Cisco and Apple in speaking out against similar laws in other states on the grounds that they could promote and allow discrimination against LGBT people in the work place.

The bill passed first reading at the end of March. It aims to stop state legislation that will "burden" someone's exercise of religious freedom. Some Christians and others argue the law should not force them to go against their beliefs in their businesses and workplaces.

Other similar religious freedom bills in Indiana and Arkansas have sparked controversy when they were passed. Indiana state governor Mike Pence later signed an amendment that prohibits LGBT discrimination, and Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson asked for an edited bill with an anti-discrimination amendment.

North Carolina governor Pat McCroy openly opposes his state's bill. He said it "made no sense."

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