Today is the Day We Count on Conner and Cloutier
Jun 24th, 2009 by David Anderson
Near Live UPDATE in Comment Section: Final Passage 14-5. Amendments had 12 opposed. As I heard it might be, the bill was rushed over to the house and passed.
Today, I expect Senate Bill 121 (Gay Rights) to pass the state senate. The question is will adequate protections for religious organizations and convictions be included? This is where two New Castle County Republican Senators will matter. With the passing of Senator Adams and the illness of Senator Ennis, the vote on a couple of amendments will be very close. If these amendments pass, it will go a long way to addressing some of the concerns with this bill.
I am concerned about the lack of a religious exemption in the title 6 changes found in SB 121. The famed New Jersey case of Ms. Bernstein suing the Ocean Grove Evangelistic Association was based exactly upon that type of provision. Many of us have no issue with non discrimination but do have an issue with inadvertently harming religious liberties. Part of our diversity is that we tolerate differing beliefs. We are not like France which banned Moslems from wearing head scarves in Educational buildings. We value and respect each person’s right on both sides of the issue. We need to keep that tradition.
There are two simple amendments which could address my concerns and that of several pastors in the state. Amendment three to SB 121 which takes religious liberty cases directly to Superior Court if the defendant so chooses, and an amendment to apply the same type of religious institution exemption already found in the employment section to the public accommodations section.
I think both sides can live with this bill if it is done properly. The question is will Senators Conner and Cloutier take a leadership role in bringing them together. I believe the votes on the 3 or hopefully 4 amendments will matter more to pro-family voters than the final passage. It is a rare opportunity for them to show that famed moderation and bring both sides together on a controversial issue.
Final
The Debate on SB121 has started. Amendment 1 which states that the bill does not pertain to marriage is being debated. Senator Robert Family Venables is the sponsor.
Clayton Bunting refuting Drew Fennell statement that current law cannot be bypassed – stating that courts can redetermine at any time – McDowell (opponent in this case) trying to thwart off Clayton Bunting’s interpretation of the current law. Vote Lost the marriage clarification 6 Y 12 N 1 Absent – 1 Vacant
Hall of shame voting no on marriage
Blevins
Bushweller
Cloutier
Connor
DelucaMy blogger got an absent down as a yesHall-Long
Henry
Katz
McBridge
Mcdowell
Peterson
Sokola
Sorenson
The next amendment is clarifying that the bill does not apply to education policy. A parent – Kristen Hudson – called by Sen Simpson to testify as a mother.
Same votes for our innocent children – dear GOD!
Religious freedom amendment
Voted down by the same margin despite impassioned plea by Senators Bonini, Simpson, and Venables.
Perhaps you can define the difference between right to worship and right to subject others to your worship. It is amazing when it is Christianity… It is the right to worship and when otherwise you champion the Christian’s right to subject to worship. I say this as a Christian Republican who has enough respect for other religions not to champion the need to demand a prayer of Christ in front of Jews in a public forum.