That's the claim being made by Joseph Futton over at Catholic Lane: Gay Marriage Coming After the Churches. As Lane notes, while there is a religious exemption in the bill, that exemption is very narrowly tailored and many churches won't meet its definition. In addition, the proposed law contains a very powerful anti-discrimination clause that would apply to churches and other religious institutions not covered by the narrow exemption. Bad news for religious liberty in the Evergreen State.
Update: here's the text of the bill before the Washington legislature, posted over at the Washington legislature homepage.
we Christians have been 'buying' the slow slide long enough-
ReplyDeleteour leaders were not awake when one of the most oppressive laws- 501 C3 was 'given' by L Johnson-(to shut his critics up)-
it is time to wake up---
Carol-CS
sad that the Christian leaders did not see this coming -esp. they did not see the oppressive out-come of the 501 C3 -
ReplyDeleteCarol-CS
It is sad, that both the Christian community in general and our leaders in particular have been so slow to realize the nature of the political reality involving marriage in our society. In Washington State the Catholic bishops in particular have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to the marriage, the family and the defense of human life in the face of abortion on demand & assisted suicide. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing -- my fear is that the bishops here will simply accommodate themselves to the New Order without any effort at catechizing the Catholic people to stand in defense of the family & human life.
ReplyDeleteAt the root of all this is a failure to proper disciple the flocks put into their care. If Christians aren't educated about their faith, if they don't have a strong spiritual life grounded in the liturgy, the sacraments & the scriptures, then they aren't going to be able to comprehend the challenges now coming to the fore in the public square.
Before it is too late, we Catholics and Christians through out Washington State need to speak out! Stand up for God's Truth, His Love, His Justice and His precious life.
ReplyDeleteIF even half of all Catholics and Christians contacted their legislators, senators and even the president in defense of religious freedom, we CAN STOP THIS DESTRUCTION OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND FREEDOM TO EXPERIENCE TRUE HAPPINESS.We owe this to our children, grandchildren and all of God's precious children! Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Forgive those who know the Truth but are not willing to follow His TRUTH and work to destroy this evil. God the Father, please assist us to be strong and courageous in this fight for freedom to love, honor and obey YOU.
Let us all spend time each week in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for assistance in fighting the spiritual warfare evident in our state of Washington. Please pray for forgiveness and conversion to all who are desiring to go against God and His laws, especially those who profess to be Catholic and Christian (politicians, political leaders) yet willingly lead the populace astray.
ReplyDeleteMay Jesus' Sacred Heart and Blessed Mary, Our Mother's Immaculate hearts unite with ours' to protect and defend all people's right to religious prayer,and worship along with the protection of life for all people whether at conception or the end of life.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Christians of all stripes -- Catholic and Protestant alike -- need to do a much better job of both grounding themselves in the wisdom of the Christian tradition and applying that tradition to the issues that confront us in the public square. While not every precept of God's law should become part of the laws that govern secular society, the fundamental principles of natural law are binding on all people. As St. Paul says, the law of nature written on our hearts stands to either accuse or acquit us on the day of judgment. (Romans 2:14.)
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