Indiana politicians, business owners and other residents engaged in heated debates last week about the sensitive balance between religious freedom and personal rights. The pre-Easter drama, which played out on front pages nationwide, began when Gov. Mike Pence signed a law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Its goal was to let business owners cite their faith as a reason for not serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers. Leaders representing religious conservatives stood with the Republican governor at a signing ceremony.

On the other side, corporations, celebrities and people around America criticized the law as divisive, unneeded and a reason to stay out of Indiana. Opponents said the broad wording would allow widespread discrimination by shops and service providers. Some groups cancelled events planned in the state. Legislators backpedaled and Pence signed a revision before the week was done. "This law has become a subject of great misunderstanding and controversy across our state and nation," the governor says, adding that he and other elected officials saw a need "to address the concerns that have been raised and move forward."

While voicing relief, some critics are disappointed that the measure wasn't repealed. The manager of a Freedom Indiana Campaign calls it "a step in the right direction," adding: "The harm has been lessened, but we have not reached the day when LGBT Hoosiers can be assured that they can live their lives with freedom from discrimination." The debate reflects legal tension between laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual identity and those protecting religious freedom, which for some people includes faith-based rejection of homosexuality.

Indiana activist says: "The equality guaranteed to all other Hoosiers through the Indiana civil rights code is guaranteed also to us." -- Chris Douglas, president of the Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce

Editorial says: "If corporate leaders are serious in opposing discrimination, they should refuse to finance the campaigns of lawmakers who want to deny civil rights to gays and other minority groups." – The New York Times

Corporate leader says: "The notion that you can tell businesses somehow that they are free to discriminate against people based on who they are is madness." -- Arne Sorenson, Marriott hotels chief executive