Submitted by: Nancy Battle
U.S. city looks to penalize Bible believers
Critics charge 'anti-bias' requirement punishes people with moral convictions
Think it’s hot in Texas these days? Just
wait a few weeks, until the San Antonio City Council ends its summer hiatus and resumes work on a proposed
change to its nondiscrimination ordinances that apparently will discriminate against all
who take the Bible at its word and follow it.
That’s because the change creates a penalty for
those who ever exhibit a “bias,” which clearly could include adopting the
Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality, with a permanent ban on participation in
city government, business or employment.
Opponents of the plan, which would add
“sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the nondiscrimination ordinances,
charge it is a violation of constitutional Article VI, paragraph 3, which
states, “[N]o religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any
office or public trust under the United States.”
The opponents explain that the ordinance
would bar anyone from office who has “demonstrated a bias” against someone based
on categories that include “sexual orientation.”
The proposal, however, does not define
“bias,” which, according to local church leaders, could mean someone who
declares homosexual behavior is sinful.
The new ordinance would state: “No person
shall be appointed to a position if the city council finds that such person has,
prior to such proposed appointment, engaged in discrimination or demonstrated a
bias, by word or deed, against any person, group or organization on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, veteran status, age, or disability.”
Anyone in office who demonstrates a bias
would be considered guilty of “malfeasance” and removed from office.
Church leaders who oppose the proposed change
argue it violates First Amendment
rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association. It
also violates, they say, the Texas Religious Freedom Act and the Texas
Constitution.
Pastor Charles Flowers of Faith Outreach
International, who has been alerting city residents about the issue, told
OneNewsNow that the reference to “bias” could mean
anything.
“The ordinance … says that if you have at
any point demonstrate a bias – without defining what a bias is or who will
determine whether or not one has been exercised – that you cannot get a city
contract,” Flowers said. “Neither can any of your subcontractors [who have
demonstrated a bias] sign on to the contract.”
He called the measure “unprecedentedly
wrong” and said “the citizens of San Antonio must stop it.”
Many pastors are concerned, reported KHOU-TV’s Joe Conger in
Houston.
“Ever have a Paula Deen moment – make an
off-color joke or hold a religious belief?” Conger said. “[Pastor Steve] Branson
[of Village Parkway Baptist Church] says keep it to yourself if you’re involved
with San Antonio city government. Proposed changes to the anti-discrimination
ordinance could get you fired.”
“If you voice any opinion, no matter how
many years back it’s been, it can be used against you,” Branson told the
station. “City employees are going to be greatly affected by this.”
The KHOU report said more than a dozen
church leaders met to discuss the looming issue.
An analysis released by pastors said the
“ordinance violates Texas and federal Constitutions by creating a religious test
for involvement in city government.”
The church leaders said it allows the
city council “to prohibit those that speak their religious beliefs regarding
homosexuality from serving on city boards.”
“For example, if a person publicly
expresses their religious belief that homosexual behavior is a sin – even if
this expression is at a church service – that person could be frozen out of
involvement with city government.”
The analysis also contends businesses
“run by people of faith will be subject to criminal penalties if they refuse to
provide services that conflict with their religious beliefs relating to
homosexuality.”
The council, which declined to advance
the plan when it first was discussed, is scheduled to resume talks on the
controversy in August.
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