‘Religious Individuals…Could Lose Everything’
(CNSnews.com) - Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) says that if his First Amendment Defense Act fails to pass, religious individuals and institutions could lose everything from tax-exempt status to government contracts, government employment and things like that.Lee and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) introduced the bill in June that would bar the federal government from imposing penalties on individuals, businesses, and religious organizations acting in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.This would help create a helpful protective barrier around religious freedom to make sure it is not infringed, to make sure the government doesnt punish religious belief, Lee told CNSNews.comSo, if it doesnt pass thats my fear- is that religious individuals and institutions could lose everything from tax-exempt status to government contracts, government employment and things like that. Thats just not something our government ought to be involved in - they shouldnt be involved in making value judgments on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, Lee said.The gay and lesbian political action committee, The Human Rights Campaign, quickly criticized the measure after it was introduced.Not only is it wrong to promote discrimination with taxpayers money, its even worse to allow those taxpayer funds to be used to reward discriminatory actions by federal employees, said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. We call on members of Congress to oppose this reckless and irresponsible legislation that has nothing to do with the First Amendment and everything to do with taxpayer-funded discrimination.But Lee's response to critics is: The fact that anyone would even call it that, the fact that they would refer to this as that shows a basic disconnect. A basic misunderstanding of religious freedom.The whole point of religious freedom is that people ought to be able to live, believe and worship as they see fit without interference by the government, whether that interference be economic or otherwise, Lee continued.I view this as something that is necessary to protect the American people against one of the most pernicious forms of discrimination that exists, which is discrimination by government against people based on their religious belief. http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/eric-scheiner/sen-lee-religious-individuals-could-lose-everythingdiscrimination by government against people based on their religious belief.
Tags
Who is online
90 visitors
basis of a sincerely held religious belief
Sincerely held religious belief has and will undoubtedly continue to evolve over time. Much like the curse of Ham theology, that up until the 1970's was certainly preached fromsouthern pulpits; biblical justification for black slaves. At fourteen I remember thinking the scripture reference had absolutely nothing to do with skin color or Ham for that matter. Fast forward to today, this theology is dead.
In the not too distant future same sex couples and their business dollars will prevail, IMO.
I don't understand your statement of ever more sinful with time. In itssimplest term isn't sin disobedience? With that as the premise, I don't see where the disobedience of today differs from that of days gone by. Not being a proponent of mortal or venial sin, I don't view one sin more damning than another.
But didn't this guy come on down from heaven and promise us all salvation from all sin if we would only believe? and accept him?
Didn't he, or are you preaching that is not what was meant?
Sin is sin
Which has always been my point, all sin is an abomination or an affront to God, only to be judged by the same. The body of Christ has chosen to castigate homosexuality in the public square so to speak. Just like it has done regarding premarital sex or divorce. It's like watching a "sin of the day" club; surelyan affront to God. They've set themselves up as judge and jury thereby usurping the throne of God, His grace and the work of cross.
My Jesus doesn't need church members to declare sin, any sin. Many are no longersalt andlight, but a glaring beam of self-righteousness that pours salt into peoples open wounds. Repentance would do well to begin in those who claim Christ as Savior.
Careful John, this may be the civil disobedience call
Religious relevance has a price, has always had a price. When the silver declines, theology has a way of changing.
Guess that's why I'll stick with my own spirituality and leave the religiosity to others
Sorry, didn't realize you were awaiting a response from me. The crickets may stop now
I see no need for a plan if one believes life on this planet is controlled/overseen by God and will ultimately end at some unknown point in time. The amount of time and energy expended worrying about what may or may not be is senseless and diminishes our testimony.
There is no government or people who has in the past or will in the future infringe on my belief system. Oh many may feel put upon because it's not going the way they "think" it should, but when viewed from God's perspective all is going according to plan...His plan.
Amen Sister!
Tell em girl!
That's right Lynne, the public rules may change, but what God has for me is eternal, and just between him and I.
Otherwise, he should have fulfilled his rules and destroyed us all.
He made a choice to perfect us and still leave us choice.
We can choose our own destruction, or we can choose ever lasting life.
He place faith in us, his creation.
It should be returned.
They will fight their extinction of course, but understand, they know they are going extinct.
They don't need protection. They need to abide by the laws and constitution of the nation where the are.
You just want special protections because you see the forces of logic aligned against your fairy-tale pontifications, and you know that eventually logic will win.
Ha ha.
Yep, that's where I stand. My belief in a triune God requires only one thing from me, faith. That's not to say I not thankful for the religious freedom extended to me in our country, I am. I choose to spend my energy serving God by loving and helping my fellow man, instead of trying to change the country He put me in.
Christians would do well to remember who is in control. I mean really, do you think God is surprised by what's happening in our world and He needs people to correct it's ills? Nope, my God is bigger than that.
The forces of logic :