TRI In The News
Yes, Virginia -- Faith and Business Can Coexist
From One News Now
Original article available here
As of now, faith-based organizations in Virginia will not be forced to allow homosexuals to adopt.
Rutherford Institute staff attorney Rita Dunaway tells OneNewsNow the proposed regulations were described as "anti-discrimination." However, "what they would mean is that all licensed adoption agencies -- even faith-based adoption agencies -- would be prohibited from considering religion, political affiliation [or] sexual orientation when they choose to place a child with an adoptive family."
But as she points out, that would be discriminatory toward religious organizations that have been in the adoption ministry for many years.
"While the proponents of those regulations talk about wanting a level playing field and wanting equality, what the regulations would actually do would be to coerce these faith-based agencies to violate their religious convictions," Dunaway explains.
That would leave a situation similar to Illinois, where several religious adoption organizations had to choose between closing their doors and permitting homosexual men and women to adopt their children. According to The Rutherford Institute attorney, that "is absolutely beyond the legitimate authority of any government agency."
The Virginia Department of Social Services has decided not to alter its regulations, which means faith-based adoption groups still have the right to practice their faith without penalty.
