The US House recently approved a bill that makes it illegal for employers to not hire or fire someone based upon their "sexual orientation." A clause exempts religious organizations from this bill. See the following story in the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/washington/07cnd-employ.html?ex=1352178000&en=8fc363a21cf49790&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss
Frankly, I'm not quite sure what to make of this bill. Certainly, it is a sign that times have changed. Gay rights activists have been seeking the passage of a law barring discrimination against the hiring of homosexuals since the 1970s. The fact that this bill now has a chance of passing both houses of Congress marks a significant turning point in our country on this issue. Clearly, homosexuality has become much more acceptable.
There are definite limits on what the law can and should do to enforce morality. If a majority of the people are not in support of a law, it is largely unenforcable. And I do not think that the way that the church changes the world is by forcing people to be moral. It simply cannot and will not change hearts, and likely will have little affect on behavior.
On the other hand, forcing someone to hire a person whom they believe is living an immoral lifestyle is quite a different thing. Certainly, it would seem that allowing people to include moral issues on some level in hiring would be reasonable.
But are not many non-Christians living some type of blatantly immoral life? We do not seem to mind hiring someone who gets drunk periodically or who lies habitually or who is greedy. Are we not in danger of singling out one sin? If not, then what makes this sin different?
I am still wrestling a bit with this issue, so I would welcome your thoughts.
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Personally, I believe that anyone that can show up day to day, perform 100% at the job task, and is considered a good worker, should not be discriminated against. No matter race, religion, sexuality, alcohol practices, etc. If the person is a good person, that should be all that matters when it comes to work.
As for not hiring someone due to their race, gender, religion, or sexuality, I think all of those reasons would be a poor reason not to give someone that is more than capable a job. Getting the job done is really all that matters when it comes to the 9-5. If someone goes out after wards and has a few too many, or goes back to a home for recovering drug addicts, makes no difference.
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