Christian Way

I wrote extensively about how Evangelical Ministries are complex and broad across the religious spectrum. And this pretty much crosses all Religions as there are sects and other factions within a faith itself. Looking at Islam there are two major sects, Shia and Sunni. Within Hindu there are four primary denominations; and with Judiasm there are three major factions – Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. And with Catholicism and Protestant faiths there are as many divisions and ways in which to practice the faith, some more conservative and traditional, others less so. But as I said yesterday, the Evangelical movement which has extended its efforts into political mainstream decisions has made it their mission to ensure that their “type” of Christian based teachings are at the forefront. This could mean decisions about prayer in school, teaching sexual education and of course other topics that are now part of the culture wars. With that we are seeing many States elect to ostensibly pass “hate laws” as Bills and statues that are repressive if not discriminatory in nature.

I have written about Tennessee a great deal as my three years affected me deeply. What I experienced and saw truly was something I thought no longer existed in America and there it was on full display, hate, judgement, racism, and poverty; all masked in a biscuit and a smile, called Southern Hospitality. I want to point out the root word is hosSPITality and that is likely the secret ingredient in the Sweet Tea they proffer with said biscuit. I get them in a way few do and when the New Yorker’s and such relocate there for the tax incentives and cost of living reduction they should know they are going to have to live in a bubble the rest of their lives as little is done to accept and integrate those who are not of the root of the tree – Southern. And with that the checks will clear and the smiles offered but acceptance not. I have met many a transplant who have returned with similar comments but family and work obligations tie you to an area long after the realization that comes with being a perpetual outsider in a place you call home.

And then I read the below story and of late there has been much made of the rise of Anti-Semitism with the rise of assaults and shootings of those who are Jewish. And in Tennessee there was a great move to prevent Gay couples from adopting or fostering children, well surprise, that includes the faith you practice. Gosh hate laws you say? Again the logic or reasoning behind much of this is under the guise of being able to secure the right to pursue religion as guaranteed by the Constitution, they just mean one kind, their kind, the Christian kind. And in some sects of Evangelical faith they recognize that Jesus was a Jew; they disregard that as Jews refuse to recognize Christ as a Savior. So that twain is never going to meet; however, they are fiercely protective of Israel. Why? Because Jesus lived there, it is Holy land and with that the belief in the book of myths that the Jews are the chosen people despite the whole Christ denial thing. But are they engaged with Jews as a faith and people? I don’t believe so and this story affirms it. That and my conversations with Ethan the Zealot who said Jewish faith is not true but he said that about Catholics as equally culpable as it came from Romans, the murders of Christ. It is always about Jesus with these people.

Tennessee-based adoption agency refuses to help couple because they’re Jewish

Tyler Whetstone/Knoxville News Sentinel

A Knoxville couple is suing the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, saying a state-sponsored Christian-based adoption agency refused to help them because they are Jewish.

It is the state’s first lawsuit to challenge a new law that allows religious adoption agencies to deny service to families whose religious or moral beliefs aren’t in sync with the provider’s, the family’s attorney told Knox News on Wednesday.

The adoption agency, the Holston United Methodist Home for Children based in Greeneville, Tennessee, denied Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram from acquiring Tennessee-mandated foster-parent training and a home-study certification as they attempted to adopt a child from Florida last year, the Rutan-Rams say.

The organization was previously but is no longer an arm of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. A spokesperson for the conference directed questions to the home.

In that lawsuit, the organization said it receives public money to provide foster care placement and training, among other services, for the state Department of Children’s Services.

The Home for Children’s president and CEO Bradley Williams could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Instead, a receptionist at Home for Children told Knox News to email the organization’s law firm, Alliance Defending Freedom, which bills itself as “the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, marriage and family, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.” Representatives of the firm did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of the Rutan-Rams in Davidson County Chancery Court. A spokesperson for DCS declined to comment on pending litigation, as did a spokesperson from the state Attorney General’s Office.

The lawsuit comes nearly two years to the date that Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a measure that allows religious adoption agencies to deny service to same-sex couples. The law allows adoption agencies to refuse to participate in a child placement if doing so would “violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.”