Political groups focused their energies this week on immigration, gay rights, Wall Street reform, and the place of Christianity in the public square.

Tobin Grant
Christianity Today

Preparing for the ENDA

The Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) is ripe for a play on words. But for conservatives, it is no laughing matter. ENDA is set to be voted upon by Congress as groups are gearing up for a fight.

ENDA would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability in the workplace. Churches and para-church organizations would not be affected, but businesses with 15 or more employees would be barred from discriminating based on these criteria.

Doug Carlson of the ERLC said, "ENDA would force many employers with moral objections to behaviors like homosexuality and cross-dressing to violate their freedom of conscience in employment decisions. That is in stark contrast to current employment protections based on non-behavioral traits such as race, age and gender."

The Family Research Council (FRC) has created a new website devoted to ENDA. The site includes the FRC's arguments against the bill and an opportunity to tell Congress one's position.

The FRC said ENDA "affords special protection to a group that is not disadvantaged." According to the group, ENDA would "tarnish the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement by treating a person's chosen sexual behaviors or their gender self-identification as a protected category in the nation's civil rights laws."

The Traditional Values Coalitionhas its own website on ENDA. While the FRC is focusing on constitutional classifications, the TVC is warning of dangers to children.

"Under [ENDA] your children will be trapped in classes taught by drag queens and transgender activists. Students will be indoctrinated that 'alternative lifestyles' are no different than traditional lifestyles. Young children will be forced to learn about bizarre sexual fetishes-and you will have no say in the matter," the group said.

full story:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/aprilweb-only/27-52.0.html

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