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Righteous Defiance in Mississippi

Christians in Mississippi argue they've become a minority, and need laws to protect their religious objections to gay marriage.

A Mississippi law that protects individuals, businesses, and government employees who decline to provide services for gay weddings will go into effect July 1.

The legislation is one example of a spate of so-called "Religious Freedom" laws that carve out legal protections for people and organizations who object to gay marriage on religious grounds. The Mississippi law protects a range of professionals who don't want to provide their services to gay weddings or married couples, from therapists to adoption services to wedding DJs.

Critics of the legislation claim it will open the door for sweeping discrimination against Mississippi's LGBT minority. But supporters say there is more to the story. They argue the law is narrowly tailored to offer much-needed protection for Christian's religious liberty amid a rising tide of anti-Christian discrimination and a growing cultural hostility across the United States to personal faith.

Read "Democrats Shout 'Shame!' as Republicans Overturn Vote to Prevent LGBT Discrimination"

Read "Judge Orders Mississippi School District to Desegregate, Ending Decades-Long Fight"

Watch "Heritage and Hate: Mississippi's State Flag"