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."
Perhaps we should separate the church from that state.
Y'all come on down here to TX and OK... let's see what that place looks like in a couple of years.
Look at it like a kid defying his parent's warnings not to smoke. Dad sticks him in a closet with a lighter and a pack of smokes....tells him not to come out 'till he's finished 'em. (aside from the obvious danger of the analogy...)
Sometimes you just have to let someone get what they think they want, and make them live with the ramifications of their actions. It's what we got, essentially, by staying home and letting Clinton/Perot run Bush 41 out of office. The country had an eight year hangover.
Yeah, I know Coconino County is a blue county in a red state. Teachers, students, and I wonder how the local American Indians vote. One thing for sure, they're a gonna have a couple more Republicans come summertime.
I got longjohns and know where to by more, and I know about Coconino County's blueness. Come summertime, one of their artists will be a big mouth singing Christian cowboy, and I won't be in CA.
I like the forest, hunting, hiking, fishing etc., and I think I can be set for a blizzard much better than a tornado. Good hunting in Arizona, lots of great hiking, camping etc. and just a 3 hr drive with potty stops to Phoenix to grab a Southwest Air to Long Beach or San Diego to join my buddies in LA Rod&Reel Club for good fishing.
Not to mention, AZ has not yet decided to use my tax money for embrionic stem cell research, has managed to(at least for now)hold on to their resolution to deny medical benifits to illegal alliens, and allows its citizens to defend themselves with firearms. Kinda like America is supposed to be.
I actually grew up in the Mojave Desert in a small town. I'm familiar with that country lifestyle, and it is a driving force that sends me back to the counry.
there's a time to obey man, and a time to obey God. I know which time this is.
You cannot move away from your problems. They will continue spreading through this country like a cancer. We must stop the problems.
Don't live your life like a ostrich.
LOL, one big happy family...
Looks like the swishes at that site didn't like you linking to their graphic.
Congrats on your decision. I am a life-long Texan. Attended college in Oklahoma. Have a brother who traded Texas for Tennessee quite a few years ago, because his college sweetheart wife is from there.
From my own knowledge and experience, I would wholeheartedly recommend Texas(if you pick your spots, as it is rather varied), Oklahoma or Tennessee. I was born in Fort Worth, TX, but have spent more of my life in West Texas - San Angelo and Abilene. I went to college in Edmond, OK(near OKCity). My brother lives in Columbia, TN, about 30 miles south of Nashville.
Good luck and God Bless.
Thanks. We're heading to Tennesse this weekend to check out the area.
Come to Texas-- I can't see this kind of law ever passing here, but to ensure that it doesn't, we need more citizens like you and your family.
"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."
Well, gee. Then that makes this one unconstitutional.
Cool.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.