We need to repaint the lane lines on Church and on State. The boundaries are getting dangerously blurred. When is it simply exercising one's personal religious beliefs, and when is it a violation of someone's civil rights?
Sarah Palin recently ranted about how the founding fathers did not believe in the separation of church and state; the first amendment notwithstanding. She objected to President Obama making a comment that "America is not a Christian Nation." (It is not. Neither is it a Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, etc. Nation)
In the early 80's and 90's, the "Religious Right" made a concerted effort to get "good, Christian" men and women involved in various governmental bodies--school boards, city councils, state and federal legislatures, etc. They felt that these "good Christians" would then make laws and decisions based on their conservative values, and reverse changes they felt were against God, like the right to an abortion or invalidating sodomy laws.
That is all fine and good. While I may not agree with their ideals they are perfectly within their rights (or lane, if you will) as American Citizens. However, these people are starting to become road hogs.
The religious conservatives in their various offices of power now exercise their power at the expense of many groups, especially LGBTs. Take the case of Clay Greene and Harold Scull in Sonoma County, CA. Harold and Clay were together for 25 years when Harold fell and broke his hip. Preparing for the future, the men had drawn up wills, healthcare proxies, advanced directives and whatnot that each designated the other as the person to make health decisions if he was incapacitated. County officials ignored this paperwork, misrepresented the relationship to the court and took control of all that the men had amassed in their time together, without trying to determine who owned what. They then terminated the lease, auctioned off all of the men's posessions and put them in two separate nursing homes. Harold later died in the home he was housed in, and Clay was not allowed to see his partner to comfort him or say goodbye. The National Center for Lesbian Rights has joined with Clay to sue the county and its officials who made these decisions. While this story is horrific enough, Joe.My.God has evidence that one of the county officials named in the complaint has links to evangelical Christianity, which is notoriously anti-gay. (Ok, the evidence might not stand up in court, but it is suggestive.)
There is also a case making its way to the Supreme Court about whether a school-based Christian law group has to admit gays. The school says that any officially school-recognized groups have to allow any student who wishes to join. The Christian Legal Society at Hastings College says that forcing them to take gays and non-believers violates their first amendment rights. This case could have a large impact on how non-discrimination policies across the board are enforced, not just the educational policies, but also in various federal funding and public policies as well.
Where is the line that separates the Church from the state? Is it in a state official acting according to his own personal interpretation of the laws based on his beliefs? Is it in federal laws that force private organizations using public funds to abide by nondiscrimination laws? The right to swing your fist ends at my nose. Where does my nose end and your fist begin?
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Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday News Roundup: Rick Warren, Minnesota’s “Crazy Lady” and more
Rick Warren, the anti-gay pastor of Saddleback Church (who, incidentally gave the invocation at President Obama's inauguration) tries to spin Prop 8 support and stay neutral on Uganda. Rick may also have "Family" ties
- Via Towleroad: On Death Penalty for Gays: Uganda, Rick Warren, and 'The Family'
Does Rick Warren support Uganda's kill the Gays bill?
- Via Towleroad: On Death Penalty for Gays: Uganda, Rick Warren, and 'The Family'
- The GayTM is closed, unless you are provably on the side of equal rights for gays.
Catholic Abuse Scandal:
- It takes an abused village, via Enlightened Catholicism
- Joe My God
- It takes an abused village, via Enlightened Catholicism
- Response to Washington Post article from Sunday's roundup: Voices of LGBTs of Color must be heard, Via Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters
- More thoughts on "What is a Gay Cathoic to do?" Via Queering the Church
- G.A.Y.: The Bulletin Campaign begins in New Jersey Parishes.
ENDA delay, HRC claims Wockner is out of touch:
- Via Towleroad
Rex Wockner
- Via Towleroad
Michelle Bachmann, Minnesota's Crazy Lady
- Beverly LaHaye: "Religion and politics do mix." Michelle Bachmann says "thanks"
- Apparently Ed Schultz doesn't know anything about "the Crazy Lady" either
- Beverly LaHaye: "Religion and politics do mix." Michelle Bachmann says "thanks"
Healthcare
- Fact Checking the Republicans on: Healthcare Reform costs Most insured people would see rates fall or stay the same.
- Why is healthcare reform controversial again? Via MNPublius
- Fact Checking the Republicans on: Healthcare Reform costs Most insured people would see rates fall or stay the same.
- Queerty: Uganda still gets PEPFAR funds even though it is trying to criminalize the people PEPFAR could help
- Queerty: What does World Aids Day mean in an era when so many are living with it?
- Queerty: Homosexuality is like alcoholism, and Lesbianism is a choice, says Jamaican psychiatrist
- AmericaBlog: Hillary Clinton speaks out about Uganda
- Box Turtle Bulletin: Southern Baptists oppose domestic partnership benefits for gays
- Prop. #8 campaign leader: "Traditional Marriage" really only means "No Gays" , via Box Turtle Bulletin
Daily Kos: Drooping Dem Enthusiasm
- Susan Russell: Episcopal House of Deputies speaks out re: Uganda's anti-gay legislation
- Lou Sheldon's group, the Traditional Values Coalition, has signed on to the Manhattan Declaration , via G.A.Y.
- Pam's House Blend: White House defies court order to provide equal benefits
Friday, November 27, 2009
Enlightened Catholicism: Reservations About This Notion of "Mental Reservations". The Murphy Report And The Irish Abuse Crisis
Enlightened Catholicism: Reservations About This Notion of "Mental Reservations". The Murphy Report And The Irish Abuse Crisis
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all my readers. I had intended to take the weekend off and keep it light, but this one really needs to be put out there. The Catholic Church is the most famous intersections of Church and State. It is interesting how it will conveniently choose whether it is a National Government and subject to diplomatic protocols or the ruling body of the Catholic Church and therefore subject to the protocols described in Canon law, and neither approach is the correct one for certain issues. I wonder how the Vatican would react if Vatican City were sanctioned by the UN for various human rights offences--the persecution of homosexuals, the abuse of children, the suppression of women . . .
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Happy belated Thanksgiving to all my readers. I had intended to take the weekend off and keep it light, but this one really needs to be put out there. The Catholic Church is the most famous intersections of Church and State. It is interesting how it will conveniently choose whether it is a National Government and subject to diplomatic protocols or the ruling body of the Catholic Church and therefore subject to the protocols described in Canon law, and neither approach is the correct one for certain issues. I wonder how the Vatican would react if Vatican City were sanctioned by the UN for various human rights offences--the persecution of homosexuals, the abuse of children, the suppression of women . . .
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