Is the House of Delegates Insane? (Richmond, Hampton: 2015, school, tax)

[GABESTA535]

House passes religious freedom bill some call 'license to discriminate' - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News


Did they not see what happened in Indiana? This could drive businesses away from the state! Our major metropolitan areas such as Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads would be severely punished by this billwhich is most being pushed by lawmakers from rural areas. Please don't hamper our metropolitan economies by giving Virginia an anti-gay reputation. Thankfully at least 7 Republicans were smart enough to vote against it and if it passes the State Senate Governor McAuliffe will certainly veto it. This bill is another example of why redistricting reform is desperately needed in Virginia.

[16 Acres]

Well, it all depends on how you look at it. Virginia has deep roots in Christianity and the following quote will further explain it:

---"The measure stops state agencies from punishing individuals and businesses whose religious beliefs prevent them from offering services to same-sex couples or transgender people."---

It's looked at as Free Enterprise and the Freedom to run your own business to your own personal beliefs.

Look at it from another perspective. There must be something out there that you are very strongly against. Now picture the state forcing you to comply to it, not only going against what you strongly do not want to do, but going against your strong Religious beliefs to boot.

On the flip side, if you can't get what you want, just go onto the next place. It will make it a much more peaceful environment for everyone.

[16 Acres]

Originally Posted by GABESTA535

House passes religious freedom bill some call 'license to discriminate' - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia News

Did they not see what happened in Indiana?

This link will explain the differences between the Virginia Law and the Indiana Law:

Big differences between Ind. and Va. religion laws

[Poquoson7]

Bottom line is that this bill IS DISCRIMINATION! To give religious zealots "freedom" to discriminate on moral grounds is to deny the gay and transgender community their own freedom.
Organized religion is a poison in so many ways and those who blindly follow its doctrines don't really have the backbone needed to stand on their own, instead they place their lives and beliefs in the lap of god and expect everyone else to do the same. It is truely pathetic.

[16 Acres]

Originally Posted by Poquoson7

Organized religion is a poison in so many ways and those who blindly follow its doctrines don't really have the backbone needed to stand on their own, instead they place their lives and beliefs in the lap of god and expect everyone else to do the same.

By the way, my Religion is God Himself. I'm not even a member of an "Organized Religion".

You say "and expect everyone else to do the same".

But aren't you trying to get "everyone else" to agree with you ?

You have the right to do want you want, just don't expect to take away my long-time standing rights to get your way.

Also want to say that even an Atheist has a right not to be forced to do something he does not want to do, therefore further diminishing your point.

[aquest1]

The bill is ridiculous. It purports to protect individuals' religious beliefs from discrimination while at the same time allowing those individuals to discriminate. What's worse, the bill actually lists applicable scenarios: "marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman" and "that the terms 'man' and 'woman' refer to an individual's immutable biological sex as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics of the individual at the time of birth." Now let me think, I wonder what religion they had in mind to protect? Honestly, even as Christian, I have a hard time squaring the fairness and purpose of this law.

If we elect people to office, we expect them to do their jobs regardless of who or how they feel about the person they are serving. Or is this not the United States?

[16 Acres]

Originally Posted by aquest1

If we elect people to office, we expect them to do their jobs regardless of who or how they feel about the person they are serving. Or is this not the United States?

You also have to remember that Virginia is a state that has it in implemented it's State Constitution that "marriage is recognized as the union of one man and one woman".

It's the Federal Government who got involved in that issue instead of leaving up to the states.

Now on this recent issue, where the Federal Government is "not" involved, the majority of Virginia politicians are just proceeding normally as they've always been.

[Gardner222]

Its sad to see the ignorance coming out of our General Assembly. Instead of worrying about such "minor" issues as transportation(especially in Roanoke), tax incentives to create businesses, expanding Medicaid so hospitals in the state
wont go out of business, etc they come up with legislation which is insane at best. It will be fought in the courts by legal
rights groups as these emotional issues make good news for CNN and onward to the Supreme Court. Sadly, these rural
good 'ol boys, and oddly many come from NoVa btw Im wondering where they all went to school? Liberty or Regent probably!!

[16 Acres]

Funny as you all seemed to be surprised as I read some of the comments.

It's traditional Virginia. You can call us "Good 'ol Boys" or whatever you like. Too many people out there are trying to make Virginia like California. I mean no dis-respect but if anyone is not happy here, rather than keep trying to change it, wouldn't it just be easier to pick a state that more represents your views?

By the way, politicians are supposed to tackle "all" issues. Not just a selected few.

[Deluusions]

Originally Posted by 16 Acres

Funny as you all seemed to be surprised as I read some of the comments.

It's traditional Virginia. You can call us "Good 'ol Boys" or whatever you like. Too many people out there are trying to make Virginia like California. I mean no dis-respect but if anyone is not happy here, rather than keep trying to change it, wouldn't it just be easier to pick a state that more represents your views?

By the way, politicians are supposed to tackle "all" issues. Not just a selected few.

Virginia isn't your "view" btw. The state is pretty diverse..... We're not Alabama and don't want to be. We should be accepting of all people whether it's race, gender or religion. No one cares about your backwards views. Also, it isn't traditional Virginia. That was traditional thinking for every state back in the day including California.