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BATON ROUGE, La., April 24 (UPI) -- When faced with heavy criticism for their passages of religious freedom legislation last month, the governments of Indiana and Arkansas "cowered" under liberal pressure and changed their respective laws, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a New York Times editorial Thursday. And, he said, he will not do the same.
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Last month, both states passed legislation intended to protect religious freedoms and provide legal cover for those who practice business in accordance with their beliefs. However, the laws ignited widespread outrage by critics who saw the legislation as a license to discriminate. Both states subsequently modified the laws amid mounting pressure.
Some conservatives have since blasted the governments for changing the laws, and Louisiana's Republican governor expanded on those criticisms in the New York Times Thursday.
"It was disappointing to see conservative leaders so hastily retreat on legislation that would simply allow for an individual or business to claim a right to free exercise of religion in a court of law," Gov. Jindal wrote. "Our country was founded on the principle of religious liberty, enshrined in the Bill of Rights."
Not long after both states passed the controversial laws, large corporations and high-profile individuals -- including Walmart, the National Collegiate Athletics Association and Apple CEO Tim Cook -- publicly denounced the legislation as legal discrimination.
About a week after the law passed, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence ordered a modification to the law to clarify that discriminatory practices are not protected under the law. Some critics applauded the change, while others said it still does not grant full equality.
Conservatives, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and three religious advocates who helped craft the law, slammed government officials for giving in to liberal pressure.
"Political leaders in both states quickly cowered amid the shrieks of big business and the radical left should alarm us all," Jindal said in the Times op-ed piece, in which he accused the law's opponents of bullying Indiana and Arkansas to change their legislation.
"As the fight for religious liberty moves to Louisiana, I have a clear message for any corporation that contemplates bullying our state: Save your breath," he added. "Given the changing positions of politicians, judges and the public in favor of same-sex marriage ... I plan in this legislative session to fight for passage of the Marriage and Conscience Act."
Louisiana's Marriage and Conscience Act aims to provide similar religious protections that the Indiana and Arkansas laws sought. In other words, it allows individuals and organizations to practice in accordance with their religious beliefs on marriage without the fear of a discrimination lawsuit.
Last week, IBM vice president James Driesse asked Jindal to ensure the law makes clear that discrimination is not permitted. The computer company said it has made substantial investments in the state of Louisiana. In response, Jindal told IBM that the new law would not legalize discrimination in any way.
"Some corporations have already contacted me and asked me to oppose this law. I am certain that other companies, under pressure from radical liberals, will do the same. They are free to voice their opinions, but they will not deter me," Jindal said. "The bill does not, as opponents assert, create a right to discriminate against, or generally refuse service to, gay men or lesbians."
Jindal, who may launch a 2016 presidential campaign, has been particularly active in recent weeks promoting his socially conservative record, Politico reported.
"Those who believe in freedom must stick together: If it's not freedom for all, it's not freedom at all. This strategy requires populist social conservatives to ally with the business community on economic matters and corporate titans to side with social conservatives on cultural matters," Jindal concluded. "This is the grand bargain that makes freedom's defense possible."
