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Appeals Court says Christian Minister Not Allowed to Exclude Active Homosexual From Prison Choir

by Hilary White

CINCINNATI, May 2, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The US 6th Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has ruled against a Baptist prison chaplain who sued his employers after he refused to allow an unrepentant homosexual inmate to participate in the chaplaincy choir. Citing freedom of speech, the Rev. William Akridge was fined two days pay when he refused to change his mind after the inmate lodged a complaint of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The court upheld an earlier ruling by U.S. District Court in Columbus that Madison Correctional Institute in London, Ohio, was in the right in 2002, to discipline Akridge.

Because Akridge argued that the discipline was a violation of his constitutional rights to free speech, homosexual activists are claiming the decision as a major victory against religious opposition to the “gay” agenda. The Court decided that because of Akridge’s position as a chaplain he was not acting as a private citizen and so the 1st Amendment does not apply in this case.

An editorial appearing in the Cleveland Plain Dealer said the decision has large implications because it means “employers can enforce workplace policies that forbid bias based on sexual orientation.” 

Akridge did not turn away homosexuals from the chaplaincy activities, but he would not allow them to take leadership positions. In court documents, Akridge says he believes "homosexual behavior is immoral, sinful, perverse and contrary to the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith."

“The leaders that the chaplain selects implicitly implies an endorsement and approval of the lifestyle of the selected leaders,” Akridge explained.

He added that a gay choir director “would violate my conscience and make me guilty in the sight of God.”

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