We may not agree on the definition of sin, but the folks who see religion
literally ought to consider keeping their doors open to bring the “sinners’ back
into the fold of their brand of religion (any religion), instead of condemning
them to hell and keeping them at bay. If the literalists want to earn the
brownie points with God, then don’t shut the door.
literally ought to consider keeping their doors open to bring the “sinners’ back
into the fold of their brand of religion (any religion), instead of condemning
them to hell and keeping them at bay. If the literalists want to earn the
brownie points with God, then don’t shut the door.
TEXAS FAITH: What’s the balance between religious freedom and freedom from
discrimination?
By Wayne Slater
[email protected]
2:31 pm on
March 4, 2014 |
discrimination?
By Wayne Slater
[email protected]
2:31 pm on
March 4, 2014 |
When Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced she was vetoing a “religious
freedom” bill that targeted gay men and lesbians, she said religious liberty
remains a “core value” in Arizona. But, she added, “So is
non-discrimination.”
freedom” bill that targeted gay men and lesbians, she said religious liberty
remains a “core value” in Arizona. But, she added, “So is
non-discrimination.”
The debate over the Arizona bill – and similar proposals under
consideration elsewhere – highlights the tension between two competing and
deeply held American values: the right of people to practice their religion vs.
the right to be free from discrimination. It’s a balancing act, and not an easy
one.
consideration elsewhere – highlights the tension between two competing and
deeply held American values: the right of people to practice their religion vs.
the right to be free from discrimination. It’s a balancing act, and not an easy
one.
It is at the heart of the debate over the Obama administration policy
requiring businesses to provide health insurance for their employees that
includes forms of contraception. It’s central to the argument by supporters of
the Arizona bill that a baker who opposes same-sex marriage shouldn’t be
required to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. Both sides make a claim on
liberty.
requiring businesses to provide health insurance for their employees that
includes forms of contraception. It’s central to the argument by supporters of
the Arizona bill that a baker who opposes same-sex marriage shouldn’t be
required to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. Both sides make a claim on
liberty.
Clearly, nobody’s advocating that the government sanction, say, the right
to deny service to black people at a lunch counter – regardless of whether the
owner says it violates his religious beliefs. At the same time, nobody’s saying
a Jewish caterer must work the Nazi rally, even if the Nazis claim they’re being
discriminated against.
to deny service to black people at a lunch counter – regardless of whether the
owner says it violates his religious beliefs. At the same time, nobody’s saying
a Jewish caterer must work the Nazi rally, even if the Nazis claim they’re being
discriminated against.
The question is, as a matter of public policy, how to reconcile competing
rights? How do we protect both the religious rights of one person (which may
involve discriminating against some people) and the deeply held right to be free
from discrimination? What’s the balance and how best do we achieve it?
rights? How do we protect both the religious rights of one person (which may
involve discriminating against some people) and the deeply held right to be free
from discrimination? What’s the balance and how best do we achieve it?
As expected, our Texas Faith panel of experts on faith and public policy –
theologians, activists, clergy, scholars – don’t agree. And in so doing, they
offer provocative, thoughtful reasons. If you think you know what side you’re
on, read our Texas Faith panel and think again.
theologians, activists, clergy, scholars – don’t agree. And in so doing, they
offer provocative, thoughtful reasons. If you think you know what side you’re
on, read our Texas Faith panel and think again.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith
matters, Dallas
matters, Dallas
The question of protecting the religious rights of a person and the right
to be free from discrimination comes up time and again like a new day every
day.
to be free from discrimination comes up time and again like a new day every
day.
As a nation, we began our life with the immortal “declaration of
independence” as our very first document, and we continue to rely upon it as our
guiding principle. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed.”
independence” as our very first document, and we continue to rely upon it as our
guiding principle. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed.”
No man is an island; and no one can survive by himself or herself without
living or relating with others. From the day we were born to the day we die,
and the time in between is spent in connection with someone or the other. The
systems of governance and civil society are shaped for co-existence; we cannot
function without the other for a considerable period of time.
living or relating with others. From the day we were born to the day we die,
and the time in between is spent in connection with someone or the other. The
systems of governance and civil society are shaped for co-existence; we cannot
function without the other for a considerable period of time.
On the civil side of the equation, any law that breaks the “One nation”
into many nations of my nation versus yours, knocks out the immortal declaration
“that all men are created equal” is flawed. We have drawn a line and our current
anti-discrimination laws are good, and must be improved upon rather than
decimate them.
into many nations of my nation versus yours, knocks out the immortal declaration
“that all men are created equal” is flawed. We have drawn a line and our current
anti-discrimination laws are good, and must be improved upon rather than
decimate them.
However, on the religious side, we need to debate and understand the
morality of discrimination. Jesus did not condemn the sinner, and went a step
further to prevent bigotry and discrimination by embracing the prostitute to
make the point that we cannot refuse services to others.
morality of discrimination. Jesus did not condemn the sinner, and went a step
further to prevent bigotry and discrimination by embracing the prostitute to
make the point that we cannot refuse services to others.
We may not agree on the definition of sin, but the folks who see religion
literally ought to consider keeping their doors open to bring the “sinners’ back
into the fold of their brand of religion (any religion), instead of condemning
them to hell and keeping them at bay. If the literalists want to earn the
brownie points with God, then don’t shut the door.
literally ought to consider keeping their doors open to bring the “sinners’ back
into the fold of their brand of religion (any religion), instead of condemning
them to hell and keeping them at bay. If the literalists want to earn the
brownie points with God, then don’t shut the door.
Refusing service or products to an individual because I do not agree with
his or her sexual orientation violates the fundamental bounds set by the civil
society and religion.
his or her sexual orientation violates the fundamental bounds set by the civil
society and religion.
To read the take of other panelists, please visit Dallas Morning news at –
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/texas-faith-whats-the-balance-between-religious-freedom-and-freedom-from-discrimination.html/#more-35528
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/texas-faith-whats-the-balance-between-religious-freedom-and-freedom-from-discrimination.html/#more-35528
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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others
and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on
national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas
Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.