By Jessica Geen • August 14, 2009
A number of faith groups are planning to fight anti-discrimination protections for gay people in the Equality Bill.
According to an email seen by PinkNews.co.uk, it appears the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is throwing its support behind efforts to exempt religious groups from anti-gay discrimination laws.
The email, sent by law firm Devonshires on behalf of the church, suggests religious groups should band together in a powerful coalition to fight the government proposals.
The Mormon church was instrumental in bringing about Proposition 8 in California, which banned gay marriage in the state. Its members gave tens of millions of dollars towards the campaign.
The issue in question is a proposal to ban religious groups from being able to hire only heterosexual staff, such as youth workers and accountants.
Under current laws, such groups can use discretion in specifying the sexual orientation of those they employ. Although the Equality Bill will continue this protection in regard to those who lead worship or explain doctrine, churches will no longer be able to reject candidates for other jobs on the basis of sexual orientation.
Other contentious issues regard religious adoption agencies and care homes.
The email cites the successful campaign of 2005 when the religious lobby obtained exemptions under the Gender Recognition Act. Law firm Devonshires hosted a number of meetings for religious and non-religious groups to win the exemptions.
The Church of Latter-day Saints now plans to take the government "by surprise" by organising a coalition of religious groups to contest gay protections in the Equality Bill.
It hopes to lobby for religious exemptions when the Bill goes to the House of Lords this autumn, or attempt to stall it before a general election.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, expressed concern that the gay community was not organised enough to fight attempts to derail protections.
He told PinkNews.co.uk: "It does seem to suggest Mormons are behind this. What immediately struck me were the echoes of Proposition 8 - they pumped millions into the campaign but denied it.
"I have a feeling it could be a substantial amount. Some evangelical groups have already expressed disappointment with the protections it gives to gay people.
"They're flexing their muscles, looking for battles to fight to give the impression of a kind of persecution. It's quite sinister."
The Church of Latter-day Saints has not returned repeated calls for comment.
Posts
5 comments:
It really is about time these lunatic cults were removed from the face of the earth.
This lot, Jehovahs' Witnesses, Scientologists, 27th day adventists, sheep worriers, the lot. They are all barking mad and bigoted.
Pass me a plough, someone, let me see if I can find some golden tablets.
I quite like the idea of Sheep Worriers as a religious group!
It;ls a bit extreme to remove them form the face of the earth, that list Anon has posted, but I can see where he comes from.
It's the way he spells "plough". An American would say "plow", so it's obvious he's a fellow countryman of mine!
They will fail, Brody. This is England we're talking about and the church going population is 7% here. The USA has 67% or so.
I drove through East Grinstead the other day. In the same way that the Middle East has Jerusalem we have East Grinstead. It seems to attract all the odd sects and cults. I passed the enormous Mormon Temple there and remembered it being built when I was a little kid.
Such a clean and harmless building for such a harmful organisation. And yet, for those who obey its rules it's said to be wonderful.
They, of course, think we are sinners because we are made precisely how their God intended, and that deity is infallible. Go figure!
Dear Tim ~ My friend, I more than hope that you're correct. The damage that the religious right in the United States has been deep and severe. The ludicrous claim that they "love" their fellow humankind is undermined by their obsessive effort to eradicate LGBT folks and their rights everywhere.
Warmest regards ~ Brody
They cannot win. We have Elton John!
It wasn't that long ago that the bunch of golden tablet worshippers had it as official policy that black folk were inferior.
Seems odd to me how black folks don't rise up now and overthrow the entire state of Utah and destroy Salt lake Shitty.
How the USA lets cults like this exist is beyond me.
And Brigham Young used to think it was his right to take the virginity of all the girls, giving rise to the saying "I don't care how many you bring me, but Bring 'em Young!"
This is a self serving, self centered cult. It loves to pick on others to prove its godliness.
Post a Comment