So says Faith2Action, in a new video organizing protests at Target stores. What I want to discuss though, is the broader idea behind a phrase used in their video: "sin is not a civil right". In my view, the idea that "sin is not a civil right" is based on a dangerous falsehood; the lie that if something is considered a sin, it cannot fall within the realm of a person's protected civil rights. I direct you to this list of sins: http://www.wogim.org/sinlist.htm The list contains things that are both allowed, and things that are considered criminal under the laws of some countries. In the USA, guarantees concerning religious freedom would be at odds with several items on this list. Perhaps we should discuss as well the very definition of what constitutes a sin. Is it the breaking of God's law? That which separates a person from God? And what does either one have to do with civil rights? Or perhaps we shouldn't bother with these detours- because at the root of this remains the idea that a person's rights should be made subject to, and constrained by, what someone (who, exactly?) considers to be a "sin". I put it to you that this is not how civil rights work. The USA is not a theocracy. But it's pretty clear from the assertion that "sin is not a civil right", that some people dearly wish it to be. Discuss.
To the Conservative Christian Right, "freedom of religion" means "freedom to choose which denomination of (preferably Protestant) Christianity you want to believe in".
Freedoms would cover this issue. They could set these rules for those who work or shop in their businesses. But NOT for society as a whole. Businesses like Target could set rest room, which they've done. But NOT for society as a whole. Forced servitude to an agenda for ALL is the problem.
