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Opponents of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act rallied against the legislation at the Indiana State House on Saturday. Doug McSchooler/AP hide caption

Opponents of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act rallied against the legislation at the Indiana State House on Saturday.

The culture wars are always percolating beneath the surface in presidential politics until something or someone pushes them to the surface.

That something early in this cycle is Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Republican Gov. Mike Pence, who is considering a run for president in 2016, signed into law last week. It has caused a firestorm of criticism from those who say the law could lead to discrimination against gays and lesbians, including businesses like Apple and Angie's List; the NCAA, which is hosting the men's college basketball Final Four in Indianapolis; and even other states like Connecticut, which banned state-paid travel to Indiana.

Pence seemed surprised by the backlash and has had some difficulty explaining his position. Other potential 2016 candidates have leapt to his defense, and some, like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, went further than the Indiana governor.

Supporters say Indiana's law is similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed in 1993.

As is often the case in controversies, however, the facts have become muddled and conflated. So what are the facts? How are the two laws different? And how have politics on both sides shaped the response?

Seeking 'Clarification' And A 'Fix,' As The Contenders Weigh In

On Tuesday, Pence said there has "been misunderstanding and confusion and mischaracterization of this law." But he said he is seeking "clarification" and a "fix" to the law with legislation "that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone."

On Monday, though, the law became part of the presidential campaign with Republican presidential candidates weighing in after a Sunday show performance from Pence that raised more questions. Pence sidestepped half a dozen specific questions about whether the law could lead to discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Read more:
Indiana Law: Sorting Fact From Fiction From Politics

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(CNN) -- In the midst of all the shouting over Indiana's new religious-freedom law, which many fear will lead to increased discrimination against LGBT people, culture warriors marked the grim anniversary of another conservative "victory," one that left more than 10,000 needy children without their pledged financial support.

A year ago this week, I rose each morning with red, puffy eyes and heavy sense of exhaustion. I hadn't slept soundly since March 26, a day many of my friends and readers mark as the last day they wanted anything to do with organized Christianity.

It all started when World Vision, a humanitarian organization I had long supported and promoted, announced a change to its hiring policy allowing people in same-sex marriages to work in its U.S. offices.

In response, conservative evangelicals rallied, and within 72 hours, more than 10,000 children had lost their financial support from canceled World Vision sponsorships.

Ten-thousand children.

In addition, funding for schools, hospitals, water projects, and medical care was threatened as churches vowed to cut off support to an organization that hired LGBT people.

As one of my readers, Anthony, recalls, "Our church leadership vowed that they would pull all support, including over $2 million to build two hospitals in Zambia."

To try and stem some of the bleeding, I joined with other World Vision bloggers to encourage my readers to sponsor children or make one-time donations to the organization. We had raised several thousand dollars and multiple sponsorships -- many coming from gay and lesbian couples -- when the CEO of World Vision announced the charity would reverse its decision and return to its old policies discriminating against gay and lesbian employees.

It had worked. Using wells and hospitals and child sponsorships as bargaining chips in the culture wars had actually worked.

Never in my life had I been so angry at my own faith tradition.

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Are culture war 'victories' worth the casualties?

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Buzz Cut: Indiana law a 2016 litmus test -- heres what they said Walker, Jeb tied in N.H. poll Q Poll: Hillary slides in key states, big dip on favorability Emails show Hillary mingled work, personal business Its happening

INDIANA LAW A 2016 LITMUS TEST -- HERES WHAT THEY SAIDAppearing on Fox & Friends this morning, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence defended a religious freedom law that has become a flashpoint in the culture wars. But Pence said he and lawmakers were working through the day and into the night on a potential clarification of the laws intent. Pence said that the changes would come in the days ahead and promised: Well fix this, and move forward. The move to clarify the law comes as Indiana business leaders crank up the pressure on conservatives to ensure there could be no legalized discrimination based on sexual preferences.

[Pence made the case for the law in a widely circulated WSJ op-ed.]

While Pence sorts out his own potential presidential ambitions and what this eruption means for his future, the GOP presidential field is going through its first litmus test of the cycle. And on the key question of religious liberty, which is a huge concern for the GOP base, heres what they had to say:

IN SUPPORT Jeb Bush Bush offered support in a radio interview with host Hugh Hewitt on Monday: I think Governor Pence has done the right thing.

Scott Walker While Walker hasnt offered his opinion of the specific language of the Indiana law, a campaign spokeswoman told news outlets: As a matter of principle, Gov. Walker believes in broad religious freedom and the right for Americans to exercise their religion and act on their conscience.

Ted Cruz Cruzs campaign put out a statement of full-throated support: Governor Pence is holding the line to protect religious liberty in the Hoosier State. Indiana is giving voice to millions of courageous conservatives across this country who are deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks upon our personal liberties. Im proud to stand with Mike, and I urge Americans to do the same.

Marco Rubio In an appearance on The Five on Monday, Rubio offered his support: Nobody is saying that it should be legal to deny someone service at a restaurant or at a hotel because of their sexual orientation. I think thats a consensus view in AmericaThe flip side is, should a photographer be punished for refusing to do a wedding that their faith teaches them is not one that is valid in the eyes of God?

Mike Huckabee The former Arkansas governor backed the law in a statement provided to Fox News First: We must stand behind those who stand up for religious freedoms. Indianas law is the same that was supported and signed by President Bill Clinton and most Democrats back in 1993; Senator Barack Obama also supported it at one time. It's not a bill that discriminates, but protects from religious discrimination and upholds religious liberty for everyone.

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Indiana law a 2016 litmus test -- heres what they said

Story highlights Indiana's religious freedom law will not directly affect many people, but conversation around it, will have lasting effects, writes Held Evans The casualties of the culture wars tend to be the very people Jesus went out of his way to serve, says Evans

A year ago this week, I rose each morning with red, puffy eyes and heavy sense of exhaustion. I hadn't slept soundly since March 26, a day many of my friends and readers mark as the last day they wanted anything to do with organized Christianity.

It all started when World Vision, a humanitarian organization I had long supported and promoted, announced a change to its hiring policy allowing people in same-sex marriages to work in its U.S. offices.

In response, conservative evangelicals rallied, and within 72 hours, more than 10,000 children had lost their financial support from canceled World Vision sponsorships.

Ten-thousand children.

In addition, funding for schools, hospitals, water projects, and medical care was threatened as churches vowed to cut off support to an organization that hired LGBT people.

As one of my readers, Anthony, recalls, "Our church leadership vowed that they would pull all support, including over $2 million to build two hospitals in Zambia."

To try and stem some of the bleeding, I joined with other World Vision bloggers to encourage my readers to sponsor children or make one-time donations to the organization. We had raised several thousand dollars and multiple sponsorships -- many coming from gay and lesbian couples -- when the CEO of World Vision announced the charity would reverse its decision and return to its old policies discriminating against gay and lesbian employees.

It had worked. Using wells and hospitals and child sponsorships as bargaining chips in the culture wars had actually worked.

Never in my life had I been so angry at my own faith tradition.

Read this article:
Are culture war 'victories' worth the casualties? - CNN.com