(mods I obsess about where to put these, and never come to a conclusion. In this case I can think of three places. Put is where you will). I found a sermon written by Bob Jones Sr. in 1960 " Is Segregation Scriptural" which became the position paper for Bob Jones University from 1960-1986 and it deserves a read. Nothing could be more relevant. That represents a lot of young devout and sincere Christian graduates, who were exercising their religious beliefs as reflected by this pastor of a major denomination. If he can find enough of a scriptural basis to honor the segregation of the races, who are we or any government court to argue that we know this religious belief, better than this man of God, presumably educated in seminary with a focus on theology. Our legal scholars in their robes certainly are not competent. I am not allowed to quote specific passages, but Jones quotes the Holy Bible and uses it to show plenty of less direct and contextual evidence that segregated lunch counters reflect the values of the faith. http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2013...jones-sr-1960/ the rationale behind the flowers and cakes exemption scare me spitless I can't for the life of me figure out how this same reasoning won't lead to an eviction notice once a Christian finds out that his tenants are more than roomies and now he is 'condoning and participating' by offering housing. I cannot for my life figure out how this same reasoning won't lead an employer to fire someone who s a little too careless in the breakroom and thus 'compromises the theological integrity of his employer who now knows his checks help pay for a same sex marriage. I can't for the life of me figure out how courts are going to determine which religious beliefs are 'bone fide representations' of a given doctrine and its resulting exemption from statute, which are not and whether or not government dare be trusted to figure that out. YOU can be damn sure this isn't going to stop at civil rights laws either. Sure I can compromise away on who has to write the names in vanilla icing and that gay couple can do without the flowers, but not when we haven't a clue where else to draw this line except in the plain wording of the biblical text or the plain wording of the statute if we do this at all. There is a difference between participating in a same sex act, and producing a cake for a same sex marriage. That Bible says 'no' to one and is silent on the other. If that isn't the line, would someone please, PLEASE show me another one courts can use? This invites dualing pastors, rabbis, and clerics at the witness stand, and a judge is not about to rule against either. This is just not what I think the language of the first anticipates as a threat to worship or the free excerise of religion
Hopefully this workshttp://www.drslewis.org/camille/2013/03/15/is-segregation-scriptural-by-bob-jones-sr-1960/
