In liberal America, you shall not buy and sell, you shall not live, unless you worship the beast
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:15-17)
Robert in Nashville writes:
This week our Nashville city council congratulated itself on another step towards non-discrimination, when it passed a law that mandates that any business that wants to do business with Metro Nashville must have a non-discrimination policy towards homosexuality.
I imagine that businesses will be hurrying to adopt such a policy, like it or not—even if the business owners feel that homosexuality is depraved. The progressives not only mandate special protection for homosexuals, they take your livelihood away unless you submit. It seems to me there may be a constitutional issue in this, but I have not yet given it enough thought. Yet each new mandate and endorsement is never enough to satisfy the need to embrace the burning need among the progressives for ever more inclusivity. It’s like an addiction with no end. I am reminded of Romans chapter one, but at least there, the Apostle seems to think these reprobates realized they had given themselves up to sin. In our more enlightened age, our leaders are not just unashamed. They embrace depravity as a virtue!
I think we are cooked, or seared, as I think Paul put it somewhere. Our leaders either no longer recognize evil,or worse, recognize it and embrace it for that very reason! To reject depravity would be, after all, discriminatory, the greatest evil of all.
Here is the article that Robert linked, followed by a later article reporting that the Tennessee legislature is considering a bill to nullify the Nashville law:
Nashville’s gay bias ban called ‘milestone moment’ Metro contractors can’t discriminate against workers
Apr. 6, 2011 | 260 Comments
* Nashville’s anti-gay discrimination bill divides clergy
Nashville made a significant move Tuesday to limit discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people as Metro Council approved new rules for city contractors, joining more than 100 communities across the United States.
The council voted 21-15—which was, despite appearances, the narrowest of margins—to require firms doing business with the city to promise not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Those companies will have to sign affidavits to that effect.
“The message it sends is that if you’re talented and willing to work, you’re welcome in Nashville, Tennessee,” said Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project.
The legislation needed approval from at least 21 of the 40 council members to pass on the third and final vote.
Council sponsors introduced the legislation after Lisa Howe, a lesbian soccer coach at Belmont University, which has a large contract with Metro, left the school under murky circumstances last fall.
Belmont, which later added sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy, will be exempted from the new requirement because it considers itself a religious institution. But Howe and her partner, Wendy Holleman, said they were thrilled to see where events had taken the city in the four months since Howe’s departure.
“Everything happens for a reason,” said Holleman, who is more than 8 months pregnant with the couple’s daughter, Hope Janice.
“We never thought that we would be the catalyst for something this big,” Howe said.
Opposition remains The proposal pitted gay-rights advocates against conservative groups, which said it would effectively discriminate against business owners whose religious beliefs don’t condone homosexuality or transsexuality and argued that the government shouldn’t be interfering in workplace practices.
Some opponents of the legislation carried signs and wore buttons Tuesday that showed stick figures of a man and a woman holding hands. During the council’s final debate, Councilman Phil Claiborne said Metro was threatening to make life difficult for businesses it needs.
“Let’s not punish folks that are needed to make this city’s growth successful by putting additional burdens on them,” Claiborne said.
Councilman Jim Gotto, also a state representative, said some contractors might walk away from their deals with the city because they don’t want to compromise their values.
“This bill could hamper continuance of Metro’s operations,” he said.
A House subcommittee today will debate state legislation that would make it illegal for cities and counties to adopt such measures.
All are welcome In 2009, the council passed a law protecting city employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Sponsors of the new law said it was time for Nashville to join cities such as Atlanta; Louisville, Ky.; Austin; Cincinnati; St. Louis; Dallas; Denver; Indianapolis; and Seattle in making a statement about what it expects from its business partners as well.
“This is a great step to show that we truly believe in equality,” Councilwoman Erica Gilmore said.
Councilman Jamie Hollin, who did much of the vote-counting legwork as the bill made its way through the legislative process, said the final vote was a milestone moment for the city.
“As of today, no matter who you are, you’re welcome in the city of Nashville,” he said outside the chamber after the final tally was posted. “Not only can I tell my son that it’s not cool to hate gay people, it’s the public policy of this city.”
Mayor Karl Dean said he would sign the bill into law if it passed. Councilman Michael Craddock, who is challenging Dean in this year’s mayoral election, voted against the measure Tuesday.
[end of article]
April 9
However, there is also some good news. As The Tennessean reports, a move is afoot in the Tennessee legislature to nullify the new Nashville law:
A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday that would nullify a new Metro law banning discrimination by city contractors against gays, lesbians and transgendered people.
The bill would make it illegal for local governments to prohibit discrimination by businesses based on sexual orientation or gender identity, which are not protected classes under state law.
The Metro Council enacted such a ban Tuesday for companies that do business with the city of Nashville.
State Rep. Glen Casada is sponsoring the House bill, which next goes to the full Commerce Committee.
Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project, which fought for passage of the Metro law, said his group hopes to convince lawmakers to reject the state legislation’s “intrusion into local authority.”
Posted by Lawrence Auster at April 08, 2011 05:51 PM | Send