From: conditt@tsd.arlut.utexas.edu (Paul Conditt)
Subject: Re: TANGENT: RE: Christian Coalition (was Christian Dancing & Clubs)
Organization: Applied Research Laboratories, University of Texas at Austin
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 14:47:43 GMT

In article <1jq344INNerq@meaddata.meaddata.com> mcr@meaddata.com (Mary Ries) writes:
>In article <m0nFTbB-0000ZaC@juts.ccc.amdahl.com>, rich.bellacera@amail.amdahl.com writes:
>|> these are largely man-made traditions anyhow.  As Christians, why can't we
>|> leave people alone?  Especially when what they do has absolutely nothing to
>|> do with our daily lives?  And as Christians why can't we foster happy,
>|> healthy environments where young people can meet and date (instead of
>|> worrying about whether or not we can control them when we aren't looking)?
>
>Re: Issue 2 in Colorado...
>
>I don't have any doubt that the bible indicates practicing
>homosexuality is immoral.  Yet, I am concerned about the goals of "The
>Christian Coalition", who I heard was involved with issue 2,
>especially since they are acting in the name of Jesus Christ.
>
>I want to be careful not to pre-judge the motives of the organization,
>but rather judge its actions... unless their motives are documented in
>some kind of statement of purpose.
>
>I heard a broadcast about the activities of "The Christian Coalition"
>in Colorado on christian radio. From what I understand, when they say
>they want to prevent "special treatment", they are ultimately trying
>to avoid a situation where you can not *fire* a person who
>demonstrates a sexual orientation that is in conflict with the beliefs
>of a private organization (for example, a a private christian
>elementary school should be able to fire a gay employee who actively
>promotes homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle to the
>children of the school).

These were probably the motives.  What the law actually did was try to
prevent anyone from receiving "minority status", which gets special
treatment under the law, by claiming discrimination based on homosexuality,
lesbianism or bisexuality.  I think that the wording they chose was
poor and should've used something to the effect of "sexual orientation"
or something like that.  A week or so ago, a federal judge put an 
injunction on prosecuting anyone according to this law until a case
already in progress was finished.  It's very possible that the constitutionality
of this law will be tried in the Supreme Court.

Your concerns about the motives and tactics of the Christian Coalition
are interesting, and I think Christians would do themselves a service
to examine what's going on here.  I think we need to be careful when 
being politically active and act in a manner that brings honor and glory
to our Father, and not become just another special interest group.

Just my $.02, but you didn't pay much for it.
>
>I would support a law that has this goal... although I think if a gay
>person agrees _not_ to promote beliefs conflicting with a private
>organization's policies, they should not be discriminated against for
>hire.  It could get tricky, but I think it could work.
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
>| Mary Ries             | Die, v.:                     | Software Engineer |
>| mcr@meaddata.com      |    To stop sinning suddenly. | Mead Data Central |
>| ..uunet!meaddata!mcr  |           -- Elbert Hubbard  | Dayton, Ohio      |


===============================================================================
Paul Conditt		Internet: conditt@titan.tsd.arlut.utexas.edu
Applied Research	Phone:	  (512) 835-3086   FAX: (512) 835-3416/3259
  Laboratories		Fedex:	  10000 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78758-4423
University of Texas	Postal:	  P.O. Box 8029, Austin, Texas 78713-8029
Austin, Texas <----- the most wonderful place in Texas to live
no witty sayings or quotes here