The Righteous Judge

I thought that I had mentioned this matter in an earlier post this last summer, but in looking back through this summer and fall's posts I cannot see that I did, however, it still bears mentioning.

Early last July a news story that aired on one of the local Des Moines TV stations told about a Des Moines area church who brought suit against the State of Iowa regarding a governmental agency declaration that churches are public accommodations, and must, in keeping with the recent civil rights practices for transgender individuals, allow such persons to use the bathroom of their choice. The church, of course, arguing that this practice was not consistent with their faith, and consequently a violation of their right to freedom of religious expression and practice, guaranteed by the first amendment of the US Constitution.

Subsequently, the court ruled a few months later in the church's favor, the judge therein stating that he was "not sure" if the equal accommodations rules applied to churches. If you wish, you can follow this story at www.weareiowa.com

Personally, I am sure. It does not! In order for the State (at any level) to have such authority over any church or church group would be to place the State in authority over the church. Now I don't believe that the issue of gender-neutral bathrooms is the biggest issue facing the American church today, and if the issue had been ruled the other way, and so ruled ultimately by the Supreme Court of the United States, we would all have learned to live with it. I do however, strongly feel that no governmental entity has the right to dictate to any individual or religious group what they must say and teach, or how they must practice their faith! The only exception that is applicable, in my opinion, would be a practice in which the safety of an individual is compromised, and only if that individual is not a willing participant. An example would be the handling of poisonous snakes by unwilling children (yes, I am told that at one time such things were done, and still may be practiced among some groups).

I have euphemistically called the above judge "The Righteous Judge" which I am using as a play on words taken from the parable of the "unrighteous Judge" (Luke 18) and we are all aware  that Jesus Himself is "The Righteous Judge", and I have no intention of saying that the Judge in the above case was either righteous or unrighteous in and of himself. What I mean to say is that he did, in fact, hand down a righteous judgment in this case.

Once again, for the time being, our freedom of religion is safe in our country.

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today!