The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) won approval in the Georgia Senate today following contentious debate. The bill prevents the government from punishing religious organizations that refuse to provide business based on religious beliefs.

Senator Greg Kirk, who sponsored the bill, believes businesses should not lose their funding or tax status if they don’t recognize gay marriage. He says the bill is not discriminatory to non-traditional couples:

“We understand and recognize that the law of the land says marriage is between two people. Be it a same-sex couple or a traditional couple. It is neutral; this bill is neutral as far as that is concerned. It is a live, and let-live bill.”

But critics say businesses need to be held accountable when their actions inhibit the rights of others. One opponent is Senator Vincent Fort, who says the bill allows companies to deny business under the guise of religious preference.

“It’s a license to discriminate; not just against the LGBT community, and that’s bad enough. But it would be a license to discriminate, creatively against others.”

The bill now goes back to the House for further consideration.