Posted on 07/25/2015 12:36:05 PM PDT by markomalley
The state of Kentucky has begun imposing a religious test on volunteer pastor counselors in its youth division, insisting that they refrain from calling homosexuality “sinful” and dismissing those who cannot bend their religious faith to accommodate the state requirements.
The policy was uncovered by Liberty Counsel, which has sent a letter to Bob Hayter, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, demanding that the state religious test be dropped and that a dismissed counselor be reinstated.
“Liberty Counsel writes regarding the blatantly unconstitutional revocation of volunteer prison minister status of ordained Christian minister David Wells, who has provided voluntary spiritual counseling and mentorship to juvenile inmates under the control of the Department of Juvenile Justice. … This revocation was issued by Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center on the basis of the April 4, 2014, DJJ Policy 912, which mandates full DJJ support of homosexuality and transvestism.
“With no evidence of any violation of DJJ policy on Mr. Wells’ part, his volunteer status was revoked by the Warren RJDC superintendent because he could not sign a state-mandated statement that homosexuality was not ‘sinful,’ among other things,” the letter said.
The policy states that DJJ staff, volunteers and others “shall not imply or tell LGBTQI juveniles that they are abnormal, deviant, sinful or that they can or should change their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Would they issue a similar directive to Moslem mentors since Islam’s view of all things LGBT is also less than flattering to say the least?
Actually, the 1A specifies Congress shall make no law.
Thus, apparently does that apply strictly only to the feds.
Witness the numerous laws on local level barring obscenity, porn, etc. over the centuries, not just recently, not much has ever been made over thise laws.
And this isn’t even about what any sane person would call a “theocracy.” This is about representing Christian faith honestly. To defy Caesar’s attempt to redefine what it is.
Faith will in fact recognize that sometimes “a spirit does not go out except through prayer [and fasting].” But to fail to even TRY... that somehow strikes me as shameful. Again I am not talking about putting all eggs in one strategic basket. It is no more a lack of faith to argue before judges than it is to walk to the mailbox and get your mail. It would be a lack of faith to assume that this is ALL you can do.
You lie as to the motive (to feel empowered by the worldly system that it is part of). How about Christ’s own words and promises.
Likely not, just underscoring the point that the spiritual battle is aimed at Christians.
It’s outright absurd. Our country is quickly becoming a lunatics’ asylum.
alloysteel, you say, “. . . Most of what people do not like about homosexuals is the sometimes blatant “public displays of affection” and often arrogant efforts to shove our faces in the spectacle. Not “sinful”, but definitely very bad manners.”
Hope you will reconsider your statement. Do you actually believe that is it not sinful to do that which God hates.
Your post almost sounded as if you excuse these shameful acts as long as you do not see them. I want to go on record as being on the side of the only Almighty God.
>>You lie as to the motive (to feel empowered by the worldly system that it is part of).
You lie by misstating what I said. I said that if you feel empowered by fighting the system...
>>How about Christ’s own words and promises.
How about them? He never promised us a world of peace until he returned. In fact, he told us that it would be a really bad world until he returned. But, he will return and make it right and it won’t be through injunctions and sternly-worded letters on some organization’s letterhead!
Incredible. Kentucky, of all places?
I find myself empowered by Christ.
You sounded like you were making insinuations. I am glad if you aren’t, but please don’t be weasel worded about it if you aren’t. Thank you.
It is true enough there won’t be total peace, and this is not on the agenda or expectation, but it is also wrong to not attempt to pass out the salt as well.
As with many paradoxes and tensions, the key is balance, not to fall flat in one direction or the other.
Mud slinging?? If you say so.
Exactly the point Bryan missed.
If Kentucky is going to hire volunteer pastors then they should be free to "be pastors". Else Kentucky is promoting certain aspects of their religion while prohibiting other aspects of their religion.
Yeah, they’ll get exactly the kind of “it’s all good” pastors they’re looking for along with all the troubles that accompany them.
Observe and be candid.
“What happened to “The Free Exercise Thereof?”
It has been written out of the Constitution by a series of USSC decisions beginning in 1947 and basically no longer exists.
.
they’ve already started.
18 year old lesbian seduces and engages in sex with a 14 year old. she was charged (rightfully) with statutory rape and the SJW corner of the web went apoplectic.
if the 18 year old had been a male, nobody would have complained that the laws were wrong. but since the 18 year old is a lesbian, she’s a “victim” in this matter.
immorality is now the norm in this country. to call immoral behavior immoral opens you up to public scorn, ridicule, and possibly even loss of your livelihood. we have entered dangerous times where speaking the truth makes you an enemy of the media-governmental complex.
By the way on review it sounds like I might have more accurately rephrased what you said than is comfortable for you.
One can hide a lot by using the passive voice, like you did. “Feel empowered” — without mentioning whether one IS empowered, or by whom, and on what basis.
Yeah, the implied clause “except where it might offend somebody” has now been thoroughly worked into it.
Immoral is now supposed to be more moral than moral.
How’s that for twisted.
It’s still worth opposing on two levels, the earthly (where possible, with all due discretion) and also the spiritual (which is always possible).
In Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488 (1961) the Supreme Court "reaffirmed that the United States Constitution prohibits States and the Federal Government from requiring any kind of religious test for public office, in the specific case, as a notary public.".
I do believe the youth pastors have a basis for a federal civil rights lawsuit which the state will lose.
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