Posts by DJS

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

EOM,

You made a bit of sense until you kept yapping:

"If you are a caterer, dj, photographer, etc, and you do work that involves driving to a clients location, you should have EVERY RIGHT to refuse a job for any reason."

You clearly haven't been paying attention the past 100 years or so as the courts have interpreted the Constitution. Your wishes or desires are childish and immature. Find another country or planet that will allow you to legally discriminate in such manner. We have adequately addressed your whining in this OP; the SCOTUS and the Constitution addressed it a long time ago, and continue to do so with the recent cases supporting gay marriage and the rights of gays to not be discriminated against in commerce and business. Grow up. Your childish attempts to have the final word in this matter is obvious to all. Your point of view has been heard and dismissed by the evidence. Deal with it.

8

Christian self-righteousness

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

doesn't matter what brand of christianity - this cartoon says it all:.

.

DJS

FTS,

Excellent. I have stolen your cartoon and made it mine. Thanks.

23

More Anointed Join the ranks

by paulmolark in

when i was an elder we had a sister who was known for providing oral pleasures to some people in the congo.

i was on the committee.

this girl for some odd reason was put on public reproof 4 times for the same thing.

DJS

She clearly has an oral obsession. What did you say her name was? And do you have any contact information? I may be able to 'help' her with her affliction

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

EOM,

I read that and I agree with you. That type of behavior accomplishes nothing.

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

NeverADub,

The one thing I do like about Libertarians is that they seek to limit government's reach into our lives. I believe we need them on the wall as a counter-balance to those who believe government should control everything. I believe government should do only what is necessary; the issue is one man's need is another man's want and another man's indifference.

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

NeverADub,

Yes, as I mentioned in one of my initial posts, churches and religions have not faced any serious threats or incursions, including in the recent past, for rituals, policies, etc. that occur within the church and are church specific. The laws protecting and securing gay rights do not infringe on religious institutions - only on commerce or state supported agencies such as a justice of the peace or one conducting civil weddings.

That, based on the separation of church and state where commerce is an interest of the state - not the church, is what the framers of the Constitution evidently had in mind. They were geniuses. The courts have consistently ruled in this manner for a loooooonnng time. It amazes me that so many have been so unaware or delusional about how the US works.

One poster commented that Canada has forced a church to marry gays, but I cannot find any references to it. I kinda sorta doubt it. I do believe that some countries in Europe - Scandanavian I think - are moving toward requiring churches to perform gay ceremonies. They have a different framework for both religion and constitutional rights of which I am no expert. I'm not aware of gay couples trying to force REAL churches to marry them; I will research to see if it has occurred. I agree with you on this point. There are many other options.

Religions were neither threatened nor impeded in any manner when laws supporting gay rights to marry and to not face discrimination in commercial, for profit engagements were passed. The X-tian right and fundies would have us believe they are the ones being 'forced' and discriminated against, which is not only completely untrue but in my eyes is obscene. The laws recently passed on in the queue in the various states, and I will say this again, were mean-spirited attempts by the X-tian fundies and the Far R. politicos to keep the door forced closed against gays and were driven by their anger at losing so many battles in the courts (38 states allow gay marriage, more are on the way). The laws were not necessary, did nothing to secure religious freedom and were intended to put gays back behind the door.

96

21 Years as an Elder, 5 as an MS, I will never be that guy again.

by James Jack in

i was deleted as the cobe after i let my adult child move back home and he admitted that he fornicated under my roof while my wife and i where away on a rbc project.

of course the elder mode in me kicked him out of the house.. the elders moved quickly to remove me because i was too involved in "theocractic activities", i had neglected my adult son.. i accepted this primarily because i didn't want to serve with a boe that did not want me.

i was devastated however because it was the only life i knew.

DJS

@ Magnum: "I would not kiss a$$es anymore. I would not treat COs anymore special than the lowliest publisher in the congregation. I would be honest and point out things that seem wrong and/or don't make sense. I just couldn't be the JW I was - constantly praising the organization and going along with the silly, embarrassing stuff."

Really? That was you? You do not seem like that person. I was exactly opposite. I am genetically incapable of ass kissing, treated the CO exactly like the lowest of low and routinely criticized the dumbassedness of the Dark Lords' decisions. That really worked out well for me.

As to the OPer: Welcome!!! We understand. James Jack, the most wondrous thing about your situation is you have time to fix a lot of the mess created by your time in Borgland.

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

JD,

I assumed you would feel that way; that is a Libertarian view. It has no data or evidence to support it, however. After initial push-back, society typically begins accepting social changes much quicker than it otherwise would. There are other costs incurred by society and individuals alike when governments sit back and do nothing. Libertarians don't typically consider opportunity costs for damaged individuals and the resulting costs to society (unemployment, welfare, food stamps, law enforcement, courts, drug and alcohol rehab, crime, etc.), lost or mitigated ambition and accomplishment, family considerations, etc. that go along with doing nothing. Ann didn't consider these things when she opined.

This is a slam dunk. I know you will continue to 'feel' otherwise, but the humanist and the economist in me is A-OK with the laws. I have family deeply impacted by these types of prejudices, both inside and outside of the Borg.

Nothing is ultimately more efficient in effecting change than societal pressure. Just ask Indiana's governor. Their RFRA has been gutted of its intended mean-ness. As of today it is a kinder and gentler meaningless mean spirited law. Neutered if you will, and that is most excellent. That shrill, shrieking whine emanating from the X-tian fundies and R Wing politicos sounds like heaven to me.

However, the changing laws legalizing gay marriage and protecting gays from discrimination were the first push of the dominoes, and to discount that is to place one's head squarely up one's ass.

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

Marvin,

Ditto. They are called bona fide occupational qualifications. Employers can legally require employees to work shifts, weekends, retire at a certain age, etc. and the employee does not typically have a legal right to sue, but the employer must include the BOQs in the job description and they must be 'bonafide' or legitimate essential job duties/requirements. If they are, employers are almost always A-ok, unless they administer these BOQs in an unfair manner (some get favors, some don't). Courts will always look at practices as more compelling than policies or procedures.

In a past life I worked with an HR employee hiring/relations team.

274

Indiana "Religious Freedom" (right to discriminate)

by Simon in

sickening to see the photo of the religious zealots all stood around the governor signing into law the right for people to discriminate against others (gay, lesbian, trans-gender) based purely on religious dogma.. if religious people want those freedoms then the can't have it both ways - they cannot complain if *they* are discriminated against.. "sorry, we don't like zionists, get out".

"oh, it's some special mass and you can't work your shift?

you're fired!"..

DJS

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's Republican legislative leaders have unveiled changes to the state's new religious objections law that has faced criticism it could allow discrimination against lesbians and gays.

The amendment to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act released Thursday prohibits service providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military service.