Posted on 01/21/2005 10:24:51 PM PST by scripter
Illinois churches are protesting a new state law that bars them from "discriminating" against homosexuals, contending it robs Christians of their First Amendment freedoms.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the bill into law yesterday amid a demonstration led by the Illinois Family Institute, or IFI, a non-profit group affiliated with Focus on the Family, Family Research Council and Alliance Defense Fund.
The measure adds "sexual orientation" to the state law that bars discrimination based on race, religion and similar traits in areas such as jobs and housing.
The bill was signed to loud cheers and a standing ovation from about 150 homosexual-rights supporters who see it as a human-rights issue.
"This legislation sends a clear message that we will not allow our citizens to be discriminated against," Blagojevich said in a statement.
"What we're doing today is older than scripture: Love thy neighbor," the governor told the audience yesterday, according to the Associated Press. "It's what Jesus said when he gave his Sermon on the Mount: 'Do unto others what you would have others do unto you."'
Illinois is the 15th state to prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation."
But IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera notes the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago, is on record stating it should be applied to churches, meaning they would not be allowed, for example, to reject a job applicant who practices homosexual behavior.
Ronen said: "If that is their goal, to discriminate against gay people, this law wouldn't allow them to do that. But I don't believe that's what the Catholic Church wants or stands for."
LaBarbera argues politicians who don't view homosexuality as a sin have no right to take away the freedom of churches and people of faith to disagree.
"Since when do politicians get to interpret sacred religious teachings for the rest of us?" he said.
The law applies to organizations or businesses with more than 15 employees.
LaBarbera points out the Illinois law firm Ungaretti & Harris, which specializes in labor and employment issues, published an analysis of the measure, which says, "While many such municipal prohibitions on sexual orientation discrimination expressly exempt religious organizations from their coverage, the new amendment to Illinois' Human Rights Act does not."
The analysis says, "The question inevitably presented by this omission is whether the Bill will be applied to compel religious organizations to set aside convictions about homosexuality when making employment decisions. ... The measure may ultimately force courts to consider and balance its ban on sexual orientation discrimination with State and Federal constitutional safeguards of religious freedom."
LaBarbera says that with enactment of this law, government is coming down on one side of a heated moral controversy by forcing the acceptance of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality.
"It's about saying that 'gay rights' are more important than religious freedoms, and we hope ultimately it will be struck down in court," he said.
The bill was passed on the last day of a lame-duck legislative session after a campaign by the state's leading homosexual lobby, Equality Illinois.
Commented LaBarbera: "There is no societal consensus for homosexuality, bisexuality or transsexuality as the basis for civil rights -- and certainly none for the idea that the 'rights' of homosexual should trump those of churches and people of faith to live our their rational belief that homosexuality is unnatural, wrong and harmful to those who practice it."
this combined with a lifetime of voting fraud and the recent attempts in Illinois to physically confiscate firearms has led me to the final decision to move.
I will be leaving the State of Illinois. I have tendered my resignation at my job and I don't know where I'm going, but the Fascist "We ARE your God" State of Illinois is no longer a place to raise my children.
Given the current state of Illinois politics, there may be no going back. The City of Chicago and the "judicial hell-hole" counties of Madison and St. Clair (which I call home) are going to take this State off a cliff. And I, for one, am letting go of the rope.
Any suggestions on where to go would be extremely helpful as this is not just to make a point. I'm moving my family of five to another state. How's Nashville? Anyone live there?
Uh, whatever happened to "separation of church and state"? The government is now telling churches what they can and cannot do? -- uh, freedom of religion, too ??? Now the left continues its attack on Christianity VIA THE GAYS???
Just more pushing of the liberal fringe agenda using the judiciary --- remember, this is their strategy.
If there were a church, Heaven forbid, that condoned homosexuality, would they be subject to the same rules where by the discriminated against heterosexuality?
It's coming! Kinda hoped I'd die first.
Leaving Los Angeles, CA this summer and headed for Flagstaff, AZ myself.
No. Lots of tourists, but nobody lives there. ; )
My family is there. Most of my closest friends are there. But I'm glad I left.
If the people of IL stand still for this outrageous law, what's next? You can't make me believe that a majority of Illinoisans are in favor of forcing churches to hire sodomites as their staff workers. When a state's elected lawmakers get this far out of touch with the people they represent it's time to jerk their chain, HARD.
Let's see...are the HRC and other assorted groups promoting the homosexualist agenda going to file suit against the rapidly expanding Madrassas, Mosques and other "Religion of Peace" outfits that employ more than 15 people? I somehow doubt it - they might end up with their head in a refrigerator somewhere.
No. what is now going to happen will be a full-scale legal assault upon every Christian school and organization in the state. When we post stories like the arrest of Ake Green in Sweden, there are invariably the folks who solemnly intone that it can't happen here. Well, guess what? IT IS HAPPENING HERE. The President's speech about promoting freedom and opposing tyranny seems more than a bit hollow sitting here in the #1 judicial hellhole in America.
huh...
You're running away, and I came to Illinois to work to beat 'em...
Im afraid we are all gonna sit and watch it burn.
I have a much different perspective of the entire collapse, from the outside looking in.
We are headed for a major turning point in our nation's history, but before that happens, the cities will be burned.
I would suggest Texas and soon. You need to get out before the the riots and violence starts up.
Why don't you stay and fight?
Say goodbye to mild weather and hello to beautiful scenery. Flagstaff is a liberal college town set in the midst of pine forests. Arizona is a conservative state as a whole, though
Arizona..lived there in 96 for awhile. Fairly conservative, with a lot of libertarians however. Nebraska is better, but Arizona is prettier and has better mexican food :) Tempe is nice..
Some people have families
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