How to scare the bejesus out of Christians with a failed game plan

When I saw this Family Research Council graphic about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA - which would simply provide workplace protection for lgbts), it reminded me of something that I couldn't put my finger on.

Then, thanks to People for the American Way, it hit me. Remember this:

That graphic was featured during a Congressional debate over hate crimes legislation (although not the last one) and it claimed that if sexual orientation was added to existing hate crimes legislation, pastors would be arrested in the pulpits for declaring homosexuality to be a sin.

As we all know, sexual orientation was added to hate crimes legislation last year and since that time, guess how many pastors have been arrested?

None. Nada. Zip. Not even that zany preacher on the corner in my neighborhood who gives sermons to the rush of traffic.

In other words, religious right groups told an outright lie when they claimed that hate crimes legislation would lead to the arrest of pastors.

Now usually when someone tells a tale which turns out to be false, they have the good taste not to use the same lie in a different battle.

But good taste has never been the religious right's forte.

According to People for the American Way:

You really have to marvel at the Religious Right's strategy in opposing ENDA as they seem intent on using the exact same playbook they used against hate crimes legislation despite the fact that their anti-hate crimes strategy failed and their dire predictions about hate crimes spelling the end of religious liberty have been proven demonstrably false.

How long will it be before legitimate Christians realize that the Family Research Council and other religious right groups are running a game on them with their constant cries of wolf?

Related posts:

Family Research Council getting extremely 'scary' about ENDA

TVC, Lafferty misrepresent stories about transgender teachers and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Andrea Lafferty spins lies against transgender teachers to hurt ENDA - I ran this before but after yesterday's appearance on CBS in which Lafferty revealed that she and the Traditional Values Coalition will be exploiting fears about transgender teachers, it is important that we get the facts out involving the situations they lied about.

Top Capitol Newspaper Publishes Outrageous Lies of Hate Group About ENDA - Speaking of Lafferty's lies, this is what happens when we take the offensive against religious right lies. Kudos to Dr. Weiss.

HRC head gets praise, flak for Obama's gay-rights initiatives - A controversial article for a controversial figure.

American Evangelist To Rally Against Gays In Uganda - TELL me again how American religious right figures had nothing to do with the anti-gay madness in Uganda.

Jackson: I Will Not Be Civil With Those Who Support Gay Marriage - So much for the semantic argument about "intolerant gays"

Family Research Council getting extremely 'scary' about ENDA

Talk about your drastic images. It's courtesy of the Family Research Council concerning ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).

Actually when one takes things into account, the image underscores the lies of FRC and especially the religious right. When hate crimes legislation passed, they claimed that it would lead to the end of religious freedoms because pastors would be arrested in the pulpits for calling homosexuality a sin.

This awful occurrence has YET to take place.

 FRC's take on ENDA is as hilariously alarming:

Under this bill, the government will order businesses, including religious ones, to stuff their personal beliefs and hire gays and lesbians--even if the organization considers the lifestyle immoral. Essentially, Congress would be establishing a caste system, where the "rights" of homosexuals trump the First Freedoms of any employer. At the very least, it will force people out of business. At its worst, it will bully into silence every American who disagrees with homosexual behavior.


If that doesn't frighten you, it should. ENDA builds the bridge to every last piece of the homosexual agenda, including marriage. With it, the Left can take a hacksaw to every God-given freedom established by the Constitution--including the ability to speak openly about your beliefs. When asked about a vote on the House floor, Rep. Frank said, "The Speaker has promised that." The day that we've been anticipating is here. And to help you understand exactly what's at stake, FRC just finished an important documentary that your church, family, and friends need to see. It takes you behind the scenes of communities where laws like ENDA already exist and exposes how destructive the legislation will be, particularly to the faith community. To see a sneak preview of "ENDA: The End of Religious Freedom in America ?" check out FRC's new website for the trailer and join the hundreds of people who have already pre-ordered their copy! After you do, it is vitally important that you contact your representatives and urge them to hold the line on this bill. Meanwhile, Rep. Frank has promised, "We're going to keep fighting until it's all over." Well, Congressman, that makes two of us. 

 
You will forgive me if I don't link to FRC's trailer but if you want to see it, go here at GoodAsYou.org 

I think it's best to remind folks of what ENDA will and won't do. The following is the truth of the matter, which means you won't be hearing it from FRC:

According to the Human Rights Campaign:

What ENDA Does

• Extends federal employment discrimination protections currently provided based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability to sexual orientation and gender identity
• Prohibits public and private employers, employment agencies and labor unions from using an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, promotion or compensation
• Provides for the same procedures, and similar, but somewhat more limited, remedies as are permitted under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Applies to Congress and the federal government, as well as employees of state and local governments

What ENDA Does Not Do

• Cover businesses with fewer than 15 employees
• Apply to religious organizations
• Apply to the uniformed members of the armed forces (the bill doesn't affect the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy)
• Allow for quotas or preferential treatment based on sexual orientation or gender identity
• Allow a "disparate impact" claim similar to the one available under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Therefore, an employer is not required to justify a neutral practice that may have a statistically disparate impact on individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity
• Allow the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of ENDA
• Allow the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect statistics on sexual orientation or gender identity or compel employers to collect such statistics.
• Apply retroactively

Now that's not so scary, is it:?


Related posts:

Andrea Lafferty - 'Won't someone PLEASE think of the children.'


Andrea  Lafferty: ENDA will lead to the molestation of disabled veterans
 
Traditional  Values Coalition stoops to lowest level of fraud in new attack on ENDA

Religious  business owners should not have the 'special right' to discriminate

Andrea  Lafferty spins lies against transgender teachers to hurt ENDA

The  30 Dirty? Why can't the religious right stop lying about ENDA?

Religious  right groups can't make up their minds when lying about ENDA

No  wonder the Traditional Values Coalition is considered a hate group

Family  Research Council exploiting Amanda Simpson's appointment to stop ENDA
  
Family  Research Council head misrepresents credible information to hurt ENDA

Bathrooms,  Church Exemptions, and Lies: Five ways the religious right  misrepresents ENDA