Hate Crimes, Gay Pride Month & Persecution in Iraq.
Why am I so put-out by Ted Kennedy's attachment of Hate Crimes legislation to a defense spending bill? Because in every other country where hate crimes legislation has been installed, religious liberties have taken a hit.
England has enacted several anti-discrimination laws, including the Sexual Discrimination Act of, I believe, 2003 that states "Equality rules bar bias against workers on grounds of sexual orientation." However, there was to be a religious exemption allowing churches "to turn down gay candidates for clerical posts."
Enter Mr. Reaney, a "gay Christian" who applied for a position as a youth worker. The Bishop interviewing him had the audacity to question Mr. Reaney about a past homosexual relationship and later called to tell him he didn't get the job. Reaney promptly cried discrimination and filed a lawsuit. For his part, the Bishop:
"...denies discrimination, claiming he vetoed the appointment because Mr Reaney was having sex outside marriage. He said he was simply complying with the teachings of the Church and feared Mr Reaney's lifestyle could impact on the 'spiritual, moral and ethical leadership within the diocese.'"
Ya think? Unfortunately the Church of England lost the suit and is now looking at damages with "no upper limit on payouts."
Meanwhile, we rush headlong toward a similar fate in America. Because, I gather, one day wasn't enough -- San Diego has declared July "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month."
Frustrating as this issue is, I read another article today that gave me back my perspective. According to a Dutch member of Parliament traveling in Iraq, Christian converts there are being crucified and burned by Muslim terrorists. Let's take a moment today to pray for those brothers and sisters.
