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Gay rights group asks that funds for Baptist university be vetoed

Discussion in '2006 Archive' started by Ben W, Apr 13, 2006.

  1. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    - Gay rights group asks that funds for Baptist university be vetoed
    JOE BIESK
    Associated Press

    FRANKFORT, Ky. - A gay rights group asked Gov. Ernie Fletcher Wednesday to veto state funding for a private Baptist university after a student claimed he was expelled for being gay.

    The organization asked Fletcher to veto $11 million that Kentucky lawmakers approved earlier this week for building a pharmacy school and providing scholarships at the private University of the Cumberlands in southeastern Kentucky. Advocates hand-delivered a binder to Fletcher's office containing hundreds of letters and e-mails supporting their request.

    "Discrimination is on its face wrong. Funding it with state tax dollars is unacceptable," said Christina Gilgor, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. "Our tax dollars should not fund a religious institution that teaches by example how to discriminate."

    The General Assembly approved an $18.1 billion state budget Tuesday that included $10 million for the university to build a pharmacy school on its Whitley County campus and $1 million for related scholarships.

    The school in Williamsburg - part of Senate President David Williams' district - has a policy against homosexuality.

    Recently Jason Johnson, a sophomore theater arts major from Lexington, has claimed he was expelled after posting on an Internet site that he was gay.

    A university spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

    Fletcher, an inactive ordained Baptist minister, released a statement saying his administration "does not condone discrimination," but he did not say whether he would block the school's state funding.

    "I was elected to defend the constitution as well as move Kentucky forward for every resident of the commonwealth," Fletcher said in the statement. "I will stand behind my oath to continue to do so."

    Continued -

    http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/14328577.htm
     
  2. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    This would certainly be an appropriate response even if this incident hadn't happened. A private Baptist School has no business taking money from the secular government anyway. I say...send the money back and go to the Churches to raise the money.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
  3. Eliyahu

    Eliyahu Active Member
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    True Believers need no money from Sodomites !
     
  4. tragic_pizza

    tragic_pizza New Member

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    I'm fascinated to say that I agree wholeheartedly.

    Taking money from governmental organizations, in my mind, negates the university's right to dictate the sexual -- and edven religious -- practices of the students.
     
  5. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
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    If that is the case then the establishment clause should demand that no other private school receive such funds (even if gay activists don't object). However there should be no funding for public universities either since education is a legitimate function of religious organizations and the state should neither support, oppose, nor compete with religion when it comes to indoctrination of the public.
     
  6. Dave

    Dave Member
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    I wonder if we could get several hundred letters and emails and take a binder of them to the governor of New Jersey, or Missouri, or Alabama asking them to withdraw funding for schools that promote tolerance of gay lifestyle and other things that are condemned in the bible, or show intolerance for those who strongly adhere to the Christian faith?

    Do you think this would be successful???

    While I agree that providing state funds to build a pharmacy school at a private institution probably isn't the right thing, I couldn't resist commenting on the very blatent double standard. :cool:
     
  7. tragic_pizza

    tragic_pizza New Member

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    Double standard?

    There are laws against governmentally-sponsored institutions discriminating against a wide variety of individuals and for a variety of reasons, including religion and sexual preference.

    While I wholeheartedly believe and support Biblical morality, I do most decidedly not think that I can impress my moral standards on others without first welcoming them into the faith.
     
  8. Dave

    Dave Member
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    I would agree with that, however certain things are historically recognized as wrong. That is until recently when it becomes fashionable to throw off everything that our ancestors believed in because we are so much more advanced.

    Don't think intolerance of the christian position doesn't exist in many government sponsered institutions. It happens all the time in public grade schools, for example. No-one screams to withdraw funding from these schools, though.

    Another point is that what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong whether or not you believe it. There is a moral law that just about everyone would agree with if they shed their political agendas. That has been the basis for laws throughout the world, historically. Even when governments abused the moral law, the people knew it was wrong. That means there is comman assent. God's law is in their hearts, but it is suppressed by choice.
     
  9. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
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    Gov't should not be in a position through any of its institutions to favor or disfavor one moral position over another. This case is simply one more example of why the gov't should not be in the education business at the federal level nor should any federal law limit state latitude concerning their schools.
     
  10. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Why was a private school receiving state funds anyway? The ACLU needs to get involved in this one. If you take public funds, you lose the right to discriminate. If you want to be privately funded, then you have more latitude. Just another reason for religious organizations and institutions to stay away from the public feeding trough.
     
  11. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
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    Actually it makes a better case for why the federal gov't shouldn't be interferring in a state matter.
     
  12. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
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    BTW, are you asserting that groups lose their "right" to choose who they do associate with or how they exercise their religion if they receive gov't funding? If so, would that mean that gov't should support efforts by pro-lifers to take over Planned Parenthood and change its policies since it receives gov't funds? Further, would that mean that public schools should be forbidden from teaching evolution until its metaphysical premises of naturalism/materialism are proven?

    Should the Sierra Club be acting on their ideals concerning the environment since they are publicly supported?
     
  13. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I fail to see your connection, Scott. Planned Parenthood IS subject to non-discriminatory laws. They cannot discriminate against anyone seeking their services. In fact, you'd be surprised how many "pro-life" moms bring their pregnant teenaged daughters to abortion clinics to "hide their sin". In the school's case, government is not supporting any gay agenda, but merely should enforce non-discrimination law that is on the books, as well as enforce the constitution. Again, I have no problem with private groups teaching, discriminating or whatever...just keep your hand out of the public treasury if you do so.

    Public education teaching evolution is not related to this either. The fact is that science IS based on observable natural phenomena. Nothing metaphysical about it. Like it or not, evolution is the best natural fit that jives with the body of evidence. However, let us not derail the thread from its topic. Feel free to start another on the dead horse of evolution vs. ID/Creationism if you like.
     
  14. tragic_pizza

    tragic_pizza New Member

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    MP has a very valid point. Metaphysics is not science, but of philosophy; atruly well-rounded educaion will encompass both, and the youth program should be courageous enough to address the philosophical answers to sciencific challenges in its curriculum.
     
  15. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    A hearty AMEN!
     
  16. Daisy

    Daisy New Member

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    Tolerance of gays and "those who strongly adhere to the Christian faith", Jewish faith, Moslem faith, Pastafarian faith, etc. should be "promoted" equally. Tolerance should be promoted, not a particular "lifestyle" or religion.
     
  17. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Pastafarian ? One who worships rigatoni ?
     
  18. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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  19. The Galatian

    The Galatian Active Member

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    Joseph has it right. If religious institutions steer clear of governmental entanglements, there are no conflicts of interest.

    The university has every right to set it's own standards as it will, so long as it doesn't take tax money to do it.

    With government money comes government control.
     
  20. ASLANSPAL

    ASLANSPAL New Member

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    now that is funny!

    I would guess the trinity in this false religion would be these three meatballs.

    [​IMG]


    The comedy is endless for this false religion but sure does look edible...so who is the debil
    in this new religion...some tabasco laden enchilada!

    and I would guess our judas in this religion would be a deviled egg!

    I will from now on never be able eat spaghetti the same ..I will always have the fork in the ready posistion.
     
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