Religion in public politics

[Lamplighter]

Civil Rights vs Religious Freedom ? ... Of individuals vs organizations ?

The situations in this article present a timely debate of the
changing priorities and rights of individuals and organizations,
which I see as a direct consequence of the repeal of DADT.

NY Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: December 28, 2011

Bishops Say Rules on Gay Parents Limit Freedom of Religion

Roman Catholic bishops in Illinois have shuttered most
of the Catholic Charities affiliates in the state rather than comply
with a new requirement that says they must consider same-sex couples
as potential foster-care and adoptive parents if they want to receive state money.<snip>

The Illinois experience indicates that the bishops face formidable opponents
who also claim to have justice and the Constitution on their side.
They include not only gay rights advocates, but also many religious believers
and churches that support gay equality (some Catholic legislators among them).
They frame the issue as a matter of civil rights, saying that Catholic Charities
was using taxpayer money to discriminate against same-sex couples.<snip>

Critics of the church argue that no group has a constitutional right
to a government contract, especially if it refuses to provide required services.

But Anthony R. Picarello Jr., general counsel and associate general secretary
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, disagreed.
“It’s true that the church doesn’t have a First Amendment right
to have a government contract,” he said, “but it does have a First Amendment right
not to be excluded from a contract based on its religious beliefs.”

The controversy in Illinois began when the state legislature voted in November 2010
to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples, which the state’s Catholic bishops lobbied against.