Anderson Cooper recently interviewed an Episcopal reverend, holding a discussion on the Arizona anti-LGBT business law. Cooper brought up the concern of some that vetoing this piece of legislation would infringe upon religious rights in Arizona, in that those with strong religious convictions would be "forced to interact with and work for" LGBT individuals. The reverend countered these arguments with the contention that the bill is discriminatory at heart, and maintained that it should be vetoed. Part of his argument was religious; he felt that it was the duty of Christians to love their neighbors and treat everyone with respect and human dignity. Cooper asked the reverend if he believed that Christianity is under attack, to which the reverend replied that he didn't, citing the 1st Amendment and federal and state laws as evidence of religious freedom.
If there is any force in this nation that's attacking Christianity, it's the fundamentalists thereof. Any negative sentiments held against this faith are caused by the bigoted and discriminatory views espoused by excessively traditional, right-wing Christians. But this man, this reverend, is the type of religious leader that can save his faith from things like bigotry.
The anti-LGBT Arizona bill was vetoed, and for many good reasons. It was, in essence, a relative throwback to the 1960's in terms of discriminatory legislation. As well, from a theological standpoint, it is far from consistent with basic Christian philosophy; the reverend is right. "Love Thy Neighbor" comes first in Christianity, not "Refuse Them Service."
Video: http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2014/02/26/ac-dean-mendez.cnn.html
This bill is utterly ridiculous. It's very thinly veiled bigotry. Being gay does not, in any way, affect anyone. After all, homosexuals are not interested in turning others gay, but homophobes are interested in turning others homophobic.
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