Ohio's gay-rights policy victorious - Prison chaplain's suspension upheld

Cincinnati Plain Dealer ^ | May 2 2006

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

In any case, this chaplain is certainly allowed to his own opinions, but as an employee of the state, he must follow the laws of the state. Including, as the 6th circuit decided, bias based on sexual orientation. If people want to change the law, I cna see that, but I can't see arguing that this chaplains religious beliefs trump the existing law of the land, agree with it or not.

Too bad the judges couldn't recognize that the law of the state violates the U.S. Constitution. I guess judicial review only helps the favored few. Anyway, the guy doesn't work there any longer so the state is free to warp Christianity into anything it likes. (Yes, the end result is, the guy must deny his beliefs or lose his job. Clearly there is a state approved version and and a state unapproved version of Christianity.) You should note, however, that Christians make Christ their Lord, not government. We will obey God rather than men whatever the cost. We had it good for awhile and got doctrinally fat and lazy. Now the costs are going up. It's going to get very interesting. May I be found faithful until the end.

[george wythe]

the guy doesn't work there any longer

Is he working for a private outfit now?

[Old Professer]

This is perfect, I've maintained all along that being gay is a belief system, the same as being protestant or catholic, democrat or republican, vegetarian or a meat&potatoes guy.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I don't know.

Funny, but isn't prison all about behavior discrimination?

[gidget7]

"Homosexual behavior is as deadly as cigarette smoking,"


Um, sorry but homosexual behavior is FAR FAR more problematic AND deadly than cigarette smoking. Homosexual behavior is directly linked to a multitude of medical problems, as well as HIV/AIDS, and has a much much younger age of mortality.

No comparison, smoker or not. In fact there is nothing one can do in life that parallels homosexual behavior, that will expose one to so many serious and deadly medical problems, not to mention psychological one.

[xzins]

Everybody in the prison has a past, but the Minister was concerned about who they are in the present.

In the case of the Chaplains in the military being forced to pray a certain way without the name of Jesus, the military backed off because they knew it to be inappropriate for them to be requiring government-written, neutral prayers over those that actually exist in real denominations.

In this case of the homosexual choir leader, the government is requiring a government-approved church structure and morality be overlaid on what is supposed to be a REAL example of a Christian religion. They are equally as wrong in this case, and I would appeal it to those who think more clearly about the government being prohibited from creating religions that suit them.