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."
How about Ozarks? I've read on FR that there is a big "gay" population in Nashville.
Mrs LJ and I are planning to move from the west coast this spring. Can't handle it any more even though it's beautiful and we've lived here most of our lives.
Does Texas have an income tax?
bump
Could someone explain for me why the left's so-called "separation of church and state" only applies when religious people want to have an influence on secular society, but not when it's the other way around?
KY is much more Republican, and conservative, not far from you either. I have relatives there, and it is one of the nicest states in the union to visit or live in.
How's Nashville? Anyone live there?
Nashville is still pretty conservative, but remember Vanderbilt and a couple other colleges are there. A couple Christian colleges too, but it isn't the Tennessee of old. Taht said, two of my neices love it and they live there. They tell me neighboring towns are better.
Just more pushing of the liberal fringe agenda using the judiciary --- remember, this is their strategy.
Yes it is, dare we hope THIS will finally be the last straw?? Every church and every christian needs too stand up and be counted, just as we did during the election, only there is no restriction on churches in this matter!
I don't believe that. Can you supply me with some info in that regard?
Anyway...I do believe the "Left" controls most of the information and educational choices in this country though...And over the years THAT has been much more important.
FWIW-
Born and raised in Mississippi, but my best friend lives outside Nashville and I've visited many many times. The city itself is congested, home to Vanderbilt, and growing more liberal, but still one of the cleaner big cities I've seen. Get out to the rural areas around Nashville there in middle Tennessee and there's some gorgeous country and a lot of good people. I'd also have to say, though, that I've gotten the impression that middle TN has more than its fair share of the older, totally illogical people who believe in every conservative issue right down the line, yet vote Democrat. Those people are everywhere, of course, but I seem to have bumped into more of 'em up there. Note that this could simply be my experience and not representative of the whole, though. My bud is very conservative and seems quite happy up there.
Knoxville is also beautiful beautiful country and I've heard it's more conservative than Nashville. Memphis is the armpit of the South as far as I'm concerned.
Mississippi is of course solidly conservative, but each summer I threaten a little more seriously to leave the South and escape the weather. The older I get, the harder it is for me to cope with the humidity. Got my eye on Montana, Wyoming, North Idaho, etc. I want a cooler, dryer climate, not many people, and BREATHTAKINGLY SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN SCENERY. In a RED state, of course.
MM
Thank you to everyone who is helping with suggestions on our relocation. I've been spending my day checking out these suggestions. I love Texas, but my wife has ruled it out because she does not want to be in proximity of the mexican border given our governments lack of security.
We have looked at Kentucky and we like the area, but it would be our second choice. We are leaning towards Franklin, TN in Williamson county. It is just south of Nashville and went nearly 2-1 Red.
So if anyone has any experience with Franklin or Williamson County, please let me know. Good or expecially the bad. Thanks again to everyone and any additional comments are welcome. Thanks
Dan
This is an email from "Stop the ACLU" I received. He mentions action if I am there in Ill., which I am not, but those of you who are may find it of interest.
Thanks for the note, Gidget. Since you mentioned the governor and the homosexual rights bill, I take it you are from my state, Illinois, is that correct? If so, you should know that we're going to take some action here, including ensuring that the supporters of this bill, particularly Republicans and Democrats where their seats are considered vulnerable, are going to face the fight of their life at the ballot box next year. I'm even considering challenging my state senator for co-sponsoring this crap. Illinois Family is planning a legal challenge and it looks like they may have some solid ground here. Also, we're going to see if we can churches mobilized, a tough task.
I have a downstate pastor who sent me the ACLU of Illinois' report for 2003-04 and this report notes their involvement in crafting legislation for this sodomite bill. The ACLU is extremely dangerous and we are going to do something to expose their efforts here.
There's other things in the hopper as well that some of us are pondering. So if you are indeed in Illinois and want to get involved in stopping this, let me know and I'll update you further.
God bless and I sure appreciate your support.
Nedd
This gentleman can be reached at info@stoptheaclu.org
Lets see, churches today go to the IRS and beg for permission [via an IRS 501(c)(3)] to be a church, then they incorporate. They've replaced Jesus the Christ as the head of the church with the IRS and then they wonder why they're required to conform to all this PC BS.
Me too. The wife isn't yet ready for it, and it depends on their homeschool laws. But me, too. Sandpoint, Idaho, looked really good 2 years ago...
Nope.
Same here; gonna take a bit more convincing for the dear bride but I'm determined to wind up in that area. I remember the first time I saw the movie DANTE'S PEAK and saying, "I don't know where that is, but I want to live there." Watched the credits carefully at the end and saw that the town was Wallace, Idaho, even though the big gorgeous volcano doesn't really exist. We even tracked down the actual "Grandma's cabin on the high lake," which was built for the movie and was still there last time we checked.
MM
All to well. To the catacombs.
I've said it before and I'll say it again
What the hell is wrong with Illinois?
Franklin is a VERY nice town, beautiful historic downtown area, very clean looking place. Have been through there countless times and it's the place I usually take my rest stop before getting into Nashville proper.
In fact, unless you're settled on being actually inside the city, let me get really specific and urge you to check out an area just outside Franklin; get your map out and look for a little blink-and-miss-it place called Leiper's Fork. (sp?) The Natchez Trace Parkway terminates a few miles north of there at a breathtaking huge bridge over a gorge. The country that the Trace passes through in roughly its 30 northernmost miles is THE most beautiful country I've ever seen outside a mountain area.
And hey, if you're a football fan, you can watch the Titans play at Adelphia, which happens to be the nicest football stadium I've ever been in.
MM
Some of those beautiful Idaho waterways are more than enough for me! When I start thinking of everything else... I may have to move sooner than later.
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