November 1, 2013 (FRC) – Life hasn't exactly been rosy for the business community under this administration. First, the President's policies kept the economy in the tank. Then he strangled the financial and energy sectors by passing a health care law that's trampling employers' freedom and crushing their bottom lines. Now, as if those burdens weren't enough, the President's party wants to tell companies how they should run their business, who they should hire, and what they can and can't believe.
It's all part of the agenda called the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, an innocuous-sounding, but republic-altering piece of legislation that has the power to fundamentally destroy Americans' First Amendment rights. Under this bill, the same community that said it wanted to keep the government out of its bedroom would be bringing their bedroom to work — where employers would be forced to reward workers based on their sexual preferences.
Through ENDA (which FRC has blocked for a decade), businesses would be ordered to make hiring, firing, and promotion decisions — not based on a person's qualifications — but on their sexual expression. Homosexuals, cross-dressers, and transgendered workers would automatically qualify for special treatment that other workers would not. Can you imagine walking into your child's classroom and meeting a teacher dressed in drag? Neither can most Americans. But unfortunately, that's just one of the many consequences of adopting a law as dangerous as this one. Preschools, daycare centers, summer camps, religious chains like Hobby Lobby or Chick-fil-A — they'll all be subject to the law, regardless of their personal beliefs and workplace standards.
Obviously, FRC isn't in favor of discrimination against anyone for any reason. But a law like this wouldn't stop discrimination — it would encourage it against anyone with a traditional view of morality. We all know how the activist community works. Homosexuals and transgenders will use this law to marginalize Christians and take over the marketplace — until only their “lifestyle” is promoted. ENDA isn't about tolerance — it's about a nationwide celebration of unlimited sexual expression. And Christians, like fired Fox Sportscaster Craig James, will be the ones paying the price.
The Left wants to equate opposition to ENDA with intolerance, when in reality, this policy would breed real intolerance toward people like Craig, who are already being fired simply for holding conservative beliefs. Although James never once talked about his views of marriage on the air, Fox executives didn't care. “We just asked ourselves how Craig's statements would play with our HR department,” the network said.
Imagine how many conservatives would find themselves in the same unemployment line if ENDA were the law of the land! The workplace would be open season on people with religious convictions and beliefs. Christians (and people who follow most major religions) would be silenced and forced underground, while homosexuals and transgenders turn the business world into their strongest political platform.
A lot of squishy Republicans think they fix the problem with a religious liberty amendment to ENDA. But as we've seen with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (which the courts have shot full of holes), it will take a legislative firewall — not an amendment — to protect faithful Americans.
Meanwhile, Christians wouldn't be the only ones hurt by the law. Just ask American Eagle. When an employee started cross-dressing, managers said it made shoppers uncomfortable. But when the store tried to enforce its standards, the company was sued. As part of a private settlement, American Eagle had to agree to hire transgenders no matter how uncomfortable it makes customers — or employees! Some New Yorkers were surprised. Shouldn't companies be free to enforce a dress code? Not if ENDA passes.
In Maryland, one hair salon owner testified that she'll lose business under a similar “non-discrimination” law. Like a lot of shop owners, she said the government can force her to hire transgenders, but it can't force customers who are uncomfortable with them to come into her salon. Still, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the rest of his party are intent on bringing ENDA up for a vote as early as next week. The only way to put the brakes on this devastating proposal is by speaking out. Contact your senators today and urge them to oppose ENDA — for freedom's sake.
Reprinted with permission from FRC