Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies

[im10ashus]

Jesus would be so proud.

Many codes intended to protect gays from harassment are illegal, conservatives argue.
By Stephanie Simon, Times Staff Writer
April 10, 2006

ATLANTA — Ruth Malhotra went to court last month for the right to be intolerant.

Malhotra says her Christian faith compels her to speak out against homosexuality. But the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she's a senior, bans speech that puts down others because of their sexual orientation.

Malhotra sees that as an unacceptable infringement on her right to religious expression. So she's demanding that Georgia Tech revoke its tolerance policy.

With her lawsuit, the 22-year-old student joins a growing campaign to force public schools, state colleges and private workplaces to eliminate policies protecting gays and lesbians from harassment. The religious right aims to overturn a broad range of common tolerance programs: diversity training that promotes acceptance of gays and lesbians, speech codes that ban harsh words against homosexuality, anti-discrimination policies that require college clubs to open their membership to all.

The Rev. Rick Scarborough, a leading evangelical, frames the movement as the civil rights struggle of the 21st century. "Christians," he said, "are going to have to take a stand for the right to be Christian."

con'd...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-christians10apr10,0,6204444.story?coll=la-story

[derby378]

1. Sorry, Rick - that's MY line

All you do is pay lip service to Jesus while you try to dismantle every good thing that he advocated. Turn in your clerical collar.

[ck4829]

2. But, as soon as you don't tolerate these 'christians'...

:nuke:

[wtmusic]

3. We're confusing two issues here: harrassment and free speech

She has the right to say whatever she wants. She doesn't have the right to harrass anyone.

[im10ashus]

6. I'd love to hear her run off at the mouth to the wrong person.

Freedom of speech is one thing - not being able to suffer the consequence of that action is another. If I started reeling off about all the hate-filled misogynistic crap in the bible, I'd be flown down to Gitmo.

[bryant69]

11. Yes - I think this is the key point

What exactly isn't she allowed to say? Or, to put it another way, how far would she go if these restrictions were taken away?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Squatch]

4. Is there a possibility that the average recipient of

Malhotra's message can misconstrue that message as being reflective of the policies of the Georgia Institute of Technology?

Since she's a student and not a principal of the university, any reasonable person would hold that her message constitutes her opinion and does not reflect the policies of the school. Therefore, she should be able to be a homophobic asshole all she wants. (as long as her exercise of that right does not infringe upon the rights of others)

[kay1864]

15. Well, she wasn't just speaking aloud...

She actually sent a letter to a gay activist group, and it probably was on the letterhead of the Georgia Tech College Republicans--hence using GT's name.

She caused another stir with a letter to the gay activists who organized an event known as Coming Out Week in the fall of 2004. Malhotra sent the letter on behalf of the Georgia Tech College Republicans, which she chairs; she said several members of the executive board helped write it.

That letter earned her a meeting in the dean's office.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. I hope whatever Gay Alliance club exists on campus then countersues for

free earplugs so they don't have to listen to the hate she wants to spew.

[Squatch]

7. They don't "have to listen" now, do they?

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Hey, better than earplugs are those bullsh*t filters some of the

old-timers wore and pissed ** off with when he spoke to some vets. MUCH more visible and makes the point so well.

[Squatch]

9. You know what makes the point even better?

Just walking away

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Depends. For example if I was eating my supper in the caf and she decided

to tell me why she thinks homosexuality is wrong, I would tell her I am not interested. If she wouldn't take no for an answer I would rather ignore her than leave without finishing my meal.

[gatorboy]

10. Ahhh, the War on Rightwing Christians raises it's ugly head once again..

"You hate us for our bigotry...and that's against the teachings of Jesus!....Or something...." :eyes:

[stevietheman]

12. This idea that the Christian faith compels people to speak out....

against homosexuality is preposterous. Jesus _never_ compelled any of his followers to do this. This is just yet another case of Bible thumpers wanting to use their faith to mask their own bigotries.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. But evangelists only see the parts about having to make everyone else

into Christians just like them. (Or else their will be many souls in peril.) :eyes:

I think we can guess where ** got his lessons in fear mongering.