Philosophy

Who Would God Discriminate Against?

Author Melinda Penner Published on 11/06/2013

This question is asked regarding the Employment Non-Discrimination Act moving through the Senate. It would protect homosexual and transgender Americans from hiring discrimination. A better question might be, Who would God force to violate their consciences that are informed by His Word? But of course, the way you ask the question frames the debate.

While the law exempts religious organizations, it does not protect business owners with religious convictions. While all people should be treated with dignity, it’s also important that the religious liberties protected in our Constitution be respected, as well. Violating constitutional rights isn’t justified by legislating against discrimination.

Note in the WaPo article linked above that the author writes that the “faith denominations” that support the legislation “run the gamut,” and she cites a number of denominations that “run the gamut” from the liberal to the extremely liberal. That’s actually not much of a gamut.

Andrew Walker, the Director of Policy Studies with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, provides a very helpful perspective on this issue and legislation.

I was reading Ephesians 6 this morning and reflected on the first piece of armor we’re told to take up to stand firm—it’s the belt of truth. We cannot sacrifice the truth of what God has revealed to us, or we lose before we’ve even begun to stand.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth... (Ephesians 6:13–14).