As a Christian myself, I am appalled when those who call themselves Christians resort to lies in order to win an argument or advance a political agenda. After all, Jesus claimed to be nothing less than truth personified: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Even during this year’s Lent, a period of self-examination and repentance preceding Easter, outright falsehoods about Delaware House Bill 5 (HB 5) were flying fast and thick in fundamentalist Christian circles. Although HB 5 would only outlaw discriminatory behavior in precisely defined areas (employment, housing, public accommodations, public works contracting and insurance), fundamentalists were whipping themselves into a frenzy, with a right-wing radio host in southern Delaware fanning the flames. They were falsely insisting that ministers would lose the freedom to oppose homosexuality from the pulpit.
Delaware law already outlaws discrimination based on religion, but some ministers openly oppose other faith traditions. The point is, HB 5 outlaws discriminatory behavior, not speech, as even a cursory reading of the bill proves. Not to worry, after the passage of HB 5 preachers can continue to preach that we gays are so sinful we do not deserve full civil rights.
Milton, Del. —
