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Looks like the city council wants it both ways...pun intended.Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.
Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city.
"If the city requires this, we can't do it," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said Wednesday. "The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem."
Several D.C. Council members said the Catholic Church is trying to erode the city's long-standing laws protecting gay men and lesbians from discrimination.
It's not a threat. It's a statement of principle.
They're not "harming" people. The city is choosing to take a stance that is in direct conflict with church doctrine. If any "harm" is done, it is of the city's choosing."Are they really going to harm people because they have a philosophical disagreement with us on one issue?" Cheh asked. "I hope, in the silver light of day, when this passes, because it will pass, they will not really act on this threat."
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Interesting....
Of course the Church isn't obligated to do anything for DC and the state... The Church is tax exempt as well and that cant change without new legislation.
Lets also not forget how much money the Church actually saves government in general, we aren't talking peanuts here. The Church as been the MAIN organization that has taken care of the needy since the conception of this nation.
President
Sounds like an empty threat. I doubt the Church will cut services, and if they do, other charities and the city will pick up the slack.
Interesting, but TBH I don't see why the church should have any say. Some people will haev rights which they don't like. Live with it.
The Church isn't obligated to feed the homeless or cloth them. The Chuch is basically saying "change your policy or we will not help you guys take care of the homeless, you can pay for it."Originally Posted by WharfedaleTiger
The Church [right or wrong] has every right to take that stance.
The Church is holding all the cards here.
Vice President
That's not what their boss said, several thousand years ago.There are no cards to hold here. Their threat is empty.
The Church [right or wrong] has every right to take that stance.
The Church is holding all the cards here.
President
Pfff... you make it sound like the Catholic Church is responislbe for all charitable actions in D.C.
Legend of USPO!
I'm by no means an expert on the Bible, but IIRC the Bible recounts Jesus saying words to the effect that "As you do unto the least of my brethren, you do unto me".
Seems to me you are spot on here.
Matt
OMG
OK well if DC wants to feed, cloth and provide shelter to the homeless on the taxpayer dime they can go tell the Church to fuck off then, not to mention rewrite tax laws as well.
No doubt the government could do what the Church does but it will COST THEM MONEY.
The Church does in fact hold all the cards because they're providing DC with a FREE service which would otherwise ***DING DING*** cost them money.
Vice President
Indeed. I'm not very surprised that you wouldn't understand the position of Christianity.OMGThere are plenty of charities other than the CC.
OK well if DC wants to feed, cloth and provide shelter to the homeless on the taxpayer dime they can go tell the Church to fuck off then, not to mention rewrite tax laws as well.See above.
No doubt the government could do what the Church does but it will COST THEM MONEY.No one is suggesting, other than you, that the gov't would have to be the party to fill in if the CC left. Of course, you being a communist, that's exactly what you want, Comrade.
The Church does in fact hold all the cards because they're providing DC with a FREE service which would otherwise ***DING DING*** cost them money.
Secretary of State
well i kinda see both sides.
if the church is having to "abandon contracts with the city" for shelters etc. because participating in such contracts would require them to compromise their religious principles, they kinda have a point.
So whats the whole story? I thought charities were run privately?
Not really. There ARE people outside DC that need help.
I suspect they are the most efficient. OTOH, why is the DC government involved in any charity work?
...same reason the Fed provides welfare.
To maintain poverty?
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