Gay Marriage—a big stick to beat the church with

Creation.com ^ | Published: 6 March 2014 (GMT+10) | Gary Bates

[JSDude1]

A line in the sand issue for Christians

Currently in the US and many other countries, so-called ‘gay marriage’ is being promoted via the media. In the secular, politically correct world we live in, the reporting of this issue is rarely balanced and dissenting views are treated as marginal. For example, at the time of writing, laws opposing homosexual behavior (or at the very least, not condoning it) in countries such as Russia and Uganda have made international headlines. One supposedly apolitical radio station here in the US called NPR (National Public Radio—it is funded by donations) described them as ‘draconian’ laws. Because legal acceptance of gay marriage is being celebrated as a victory for civil liberties, it seems as if the media is really out to shame any country, person or group who does not toe the politically correct line on this issue. So this will be an increasing challenge to churches and Christians.

Will religious views be exempt?

Such volatile actions by the gay lobby are actually causing Churches and individual Christians to retreat from engaging this issue for fear of being branded and out of step with the culture.

To some extent, common sense has prevailed on this issue in the past by allowing dissenting views under the banner of religious freedom, and individuals who have publicly spoken out against homosexual unions have generally been exempt from prosecution. Inside churches, Christians have been safe, but the tide is turning rapidly because the exemptions can be easily overturned.

[Elsie]

Any non-profit church that continues to discriminate may find their non-profit classification yanked and could be forced to pay up all the taxes they would owe for the entire time that they were a non-profit organization, which for denominations could be millions or even possibly billions.

I doubt that RETROACTIVE fines could LEGALLY be imposed.

[fwdude]

It’s more like a sledge hammer.

[fwdude]

I doubt that RETROACTIVE fines could LEGALLY be imposed.

With enough political power, the Gaystapo will do whatever it wants. And I'm not using hyperbole here.

[a fool in paradise]

Many churches have accepted the IRS classification of being non-profit. To stay non-profit, they cannot discriminate according to the federal guidelines. At some point, the IRS may enforce this rule to force churches to allow unrepentant homosexuals to preach at the pulpit.

Certainly they will try this route but by this same standard, muslims and atheists should be allowed to be scout leaders/preachers as well. Just because they don't subscribe to the same values system that is being preached is by no means a reason to discriminate against them (by liberal activist judge standards).