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Tenn State funded adoption center denies Jewish couple, only wants those who "share their beliefs"

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by WarDamnGator, Feb 15, 2022.

  1. WarDamnGator

    WarDamnGator GC Hall of Fame

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    This Jewish couple is suing the Tennessee Department of Children's Services after being denied access to one of their foster parent certification programs, and given the reason that their religious beliefs are not the same as the people running this adoption agency. It's sad that bigoted religious organizations have been given so much control over orphaned and foster kids, and per their own statement, this has been going on for several years. I think this country can do better.

    Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram, a Tennessee couple, were denied access to a state-sponsored foster parent certification program because they are Jewish. The rationale? The foster agency they applied to claims that they should be allowed to turn away Jewish people because they are a Christian adoption agency.

    The Rutan-Rams (and six others) have now filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and its commissioner. According to court documents cited by the Washington Post, the Holston United Methodist Home for Children (which is not named as a defendant in the suit) told the couple in an email, "As a Christian organization, our executive team made the decision several years ago to only provide prospective adoptive families that share our belief system in order to avoid conflicts or delays with future service delivery."

    Holston told the Post, ""Holston Home places children with families that agree with our statement of faith, and forcing Holston Home to violate our beliefs and place children in homes that do not share our faith is wrong and contrary to a free society."

    The agency, though it is a religious organization, receives taxpayer funding and assists families (on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, which declined to comment to the Washington Post, citing impending litigation) with foster-care placement, training and other related services.


    Opinion: A Tennessee couple's struggle to adopt shows religious freedom is under siege in America - CNN
     
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  2. gator_lawyer

    gator_lawyer VIP Member

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    Tennessee Republicans: Owning the Jews and the Gays! ;)

    (Also, why are there so many "Christians" who are just intolerant and awful people?

    Disclaimer: Not all Christians.)
     
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  3. BLING

    BLING GC Hall of Fame

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    … and this is why you can’t mix church and state. Some people just can’t follow the constitution or the law, and if you allow them an inch, you get this.
     
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  4. sierragator

    sierragator GC Hall of Fame

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    and when they get called out on it they whine about their religious freedom being attacked.
     
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  5. gator_lawyer

    gator_lawyer VIP Member

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    It's so ridiculous. Requiring them not to discriminate does not impair their ability to freely exercise their religion of choice.
     
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  6. GatorNorth

    GatorNorth Premium Member Premium Member

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    Despicable. Exemplifies everything this country DOESN’T stand for.
     
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  7. ncargat1

    ncargat1 VIP Member

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    As someone raised Catholic, still practices the faith, yet married a Jewish woman, I can truthfully say....I have no clue. So much evil, hate and bigotry in the name of a "peaceful religion" through out the history of the world.

    As an aside, I do always enjoy reminding the rednecks here in North Carolina when they start to go off on "them Jews" in front of me that Jesus Christ was....Jewish.
     
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  8. gatorchamps960608

    gatorchamps960608 GC Hall of Fame

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    Yet everything the GOP does stand for.
     
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  9. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

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    Well you have to look at it the way they do. Depending on their branch of Christian faith giving a kid to Jews is dooming them to hell for eternity. If you really believe that, why would they want to condemn a child to certain eternal suffering?

    Of course, I think that is ridiculous, but it is amusing to me how people are amazed how some religions aren't open to diversity of belief. It's because their religion and beliefs are not open to diverse interpretations. They think they are right and everybody else on the planet is wrong, and that is why they are together as a group in the first place.
     
  10. gator_lawyer

    gator_lawyer VIP Member

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    Not really. They can always convert that kid later in life if their religion is so great.
     
  11. slightlyskeptic

    slightlyskeptic All American

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    I've never understood how any couple who shows themselves to be good and decent human beings who have the wherewithal and financial capabilities to adopt a child could ever be turned down.
     
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  12. mutz87

    mutz87 p=.06 VIP Member

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    Because the history of Christianity is one eyeballs deep in antisemitism, basically from the beginning.

    TN republicans owning blacks too, in a different way now.
     
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  13. Spurffelbow833

    Spurffelbow833 GC Hall of Fame

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    Give up the government funds or open your doors to everybody. Can't have it both ways.
     
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  14. mrhansduck

    mrhansduck GC Hall of Fame

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    It seems like this would involve some of the same issues and arguments as we saw in Fulton v. Philadelphia, 592 U.S. ___ (2021), where Catholic Social Services had a policy of not certifying unmarried couples or couples who were married but the same sex. That was a pretty factually specific ruling and there may be differences here. One thing seems clear: several justices are chomping at the bit to overturn Employment Division v. Smith to make it easier for religious organizations to obtain exemptions from laws of general applicability.

    Interestingly, it was Scalia who wrote the Opinion in Employment Division v. Smith, rejecting the argument that the religious use of peyote provided a basis for an exemption. I do not recall whether or how the courts are allowed to examine the sincerity of a purported religious conviction, but it seems like more and more people are citing religious beliefs in connection with all sorts of things they want to do or do not want to do.
     
  15. tampajack1

    tampajack1 Premium Member

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    I think that the Jewish couple should be allowed to adopt the baby of the first 11-year old rape victim who will be required to give birth under new Florida law.
     
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  16. channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    Bottom of a pint glass
    OK bot
     
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  17. danmanne65

    danmanne65 GC Hall of Fame

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    my guess is that people who claim to be Christian are just as awful as normal people. They just are louder and prouder of their awfulness.
     
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  18. G8tas

    G8tas GC Hall of Fame

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    This reminds me of some of the private schools in Florida that don't allow kids that are gay but receive public funds
     
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