In Theory: Catholics file lawsuit against St. Louis’ ‘abortion sanctuary city’ law
A group of Catholics in St. Louis say a local law that prohibits discrimination based on “reproductive health decisions” could force employers and landlords to go against their religious beliefs, the Associated Press reports.
A lawsuit filed on behalf of Catholic grade schools, a home for pregnant homeless women and a private company whose owner is Catholic aims to stop the law, which was passed in February. Opponents say the law makes St. Louis a sanctuary city for abortion.
St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson called the ordinance a “vile bill.”
Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green, who sponsored the ordinance, viewed the law as a way for St. Louis to draw an opposing line against future laws in Republican-controlled Missouri.
“As a city, we don’t support discriminating against anyone,” St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Q. What are your thoughts on the bill and the lawsuit?
I’m sure the St. Louis law appears to be moral to some people — a victory, a protection of individual beliefs and personal choices. But please also consider that it does not allow Catholic schools to hire only teachers who are in agreement with their faith-based position on abortion. It has the same effect on faith-based crisis pregnancy centers. It legally undermines these religious groups by forcing them to be open to employing individuals whose lifestyles and morals directly contradict their constitutionally protected beliefs and organizational goals. If it isn’t right for government to establish religion then it isn’t right for government to destroy it either. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson stated that her city doesn’t support discriminating against anyone. Her definition of “anyone” apparently doesn’t include people of faith.
Proverbs 14:12 says that, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” The passing of this bill is a perfect illustration of this truth, as is the passing of many similar laws in our country in recent years. Under the guise of tolerance we have sown the seeds of sin, socially tolerated and legally promoted. It will produce for us nothing but destruction if we do not repent as a nation of our immorality and violence against the unborn, and claim the blood of Jesus Christ as the only divinely acceptable means of atonement.
Pastor Jon Barta
Burbank
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A woman’s right to make reproductive health decisions for herself, including abortion under the terms of Roe vs. Wade, is widely acknowledged to be settled law. At the same time, because advances in contraceptive technology and awareness, abortions in the United States are at an all-time low and continue to decrease.
Thus I am dismayed at the persistence of extremist opposition to our choices, like this lawsuit. That employers and landlords are even asking whether applicants have had an abortion, been pregnant outside of marriage or use contraceptives or artificial insemination is shocking in itself. Yet apparently they are.
I would never deny anyone’s right to advocate their beliefs — preach, pray, protest, vote, lobby and donate if you oppose abortion, and certainly don’t have one yourself. But you cannot be allowed to take away others’ right to choose, or discriminate against anyone for having exercised our rights.
Roberta Medford
Atheist
Montrose
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The comment by the mayor, that the town doesn’t discriminate “against anyone,” is patently false. I’m sure they don’t indiscriminately hire people with long rap sheets to fill government vacancies nor child molesters as elementary school teachers. That’s discrimination of a morally “discriminating” sort that’s fully appropriate for the public good.
Likewise, religious agencies that help women in crisis pregnancies are in the business of preserving human life in the midst of a growing culture of death and sexual immorality. The latter begets the former, and ultimately abortion is a “reproductive health decision” to kill innocent children before they interfere with lifestyle. Dissect the baby before the first breath, and secularists are satisfied; one second later when the child’s head emerges, they’ll concede it’s murder. An inch is sufficient for a sinful world to legalize holocaust.
So, people of conscience establish facilities to help the expectant make right decisions and protect the unborn from the abortionist’s scalpel. From their efforts, women can stand before God with a repentant conscience and a clean heart regarding the mistake that brought them to their crisis. Who these agencies employ is “discriminate” like any employer discriminates against 499 out of 500 applicants for a job when they don’t fit with the organization’s mission statement or values; there’s no difference.
I have many times searched for ministry positions, like many of you have sought employment for your own career specialties, and I run across Protestant churches whose idiosyncratic views I don’t share. I cannot honestly serve them if I disagree with their faith statements, so I move on. Is that discrimination? In the more responsible sense of the word, yes. I am not Catholic, so why should I ever expect to work for a Catholic agency when I don’t believe in their path, though I heartily agree with their abortion abhorrence? Like any industry, they need a like-minded workforce with buy-in, who will give everything for the success of these homes for pregnant women, and their other similar, ethically bound, Catholic outreaches.
Liberals are always chanting “Choice!” Here’s an opportunity to see if they champion “options” or if they really mean “Our way only!” Besides, the Constitution protects religion and “the free exercise thereof,” so let the exercise go unabated. I agree with the Archbishop.
Rev. Bryan A. Griem
Tujunga