General Discussion

TygrBright

(20,760 posts) Thu Jul 2, 2015, 01:34 AM Jul 2015

Ken Paxton, et. al., are correct: No one has to violate their conscience.

If you feel strongly and deeply that it's just *wrong* for same-sex couples to marry, no one can force you to issue them a marriage license.

If you feel strongly and deeply that it's *utterly immoral* for women to use the morning-after pill, no one can force you to fill their prescription.

If your conscience utterly forbids you to do something, you know what? America's Constitution protects your right to NOT DO IT.

However.

America's Constitution does NOT entitle you to prevent others from exercising their rights.

That's the deal, you see.

So, no: You are NOT ENTITLED to get or keep a job that requires on your accommodating the rights of others, if you, personally, believe it would be wrong for you to do so and plan not to do all the requirements of that job.

You are not entitled to operate or maintain a public accommodation, if you're not going to accommodate the rights the Constitution grants to everyone.

There are many jobs and options available to you where you're not going to be required to directly contravene your beliefs. Not comfy with same-sex individuals getting married? Transfer out of your job in the county clerk's office and get a job in the public library or the sanitation department.

What, no transfers available? Well, you're free to quit the job that requires you to facilitate such moral degradation, and get some other kind of job with another employer altogether.

If your conscience is so rigid that you can't even bear the thought of contributing and engaging and interacting in a community that respects the rights of other to do things you believe are morally abhorrent, you have other options.

Find your fellow-travellers and form a monastic-style community behind walls that will shield you from any contact with the moral turpitude that offends your conscience so deeply.

The Constitution protects your right to do all those things. You need not violate your conscience. That's the essence of American freedom.

But no, you can't deny others their Constitutionally-protected rights in the name of your "freedom of conscience."

That's not how it works.

patiently,
Bright

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Ken Paxton, et. al., are correct: No one has to violate their conscience. (Original Post) TygrBright Jul 2015 OP

K&R..... daleanime Jul 2015 #1

They can find co-workers who will do it murielm99 Jul 2015 #2

I love librarians and truly I would not wish a cadre of bigots on them! TygrBright Jul 2015 #3

I hear city bus drivers have to let black people ride up front too. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2015 #4

Yeah, talk about oppressing the bus drivers! n/t TygrBright Jul 2015 #6

I think if you cannot perform your job duties you should get another job Skittles Jul 2015 #5

daleanime

(17,796 posts)

1. K&R.....

Reply to TygrBright (Original post)

Thu Jul 2, 2015, 01:38 AM

Jul 2015

murielm99

(30,741 posts)

2. They can find co-workers who will do it

Reply to TygrBright (Original post)

Thu Jul 2, 2015, 02:11 AM

Jul 2015

if they feel unable to do so. Most county clerks employ several staff members. If that does not work out, they can just suck it up and do what their bosses and the laws tell them to do. Nearly everyone has tasks at work that they don't relish.

When my husband had his vasectomy, there was a doctor in the practice who did not do vasectomies, because he was very Catholic. His partner did all those procedures. We did not know until later that was the reason for sending us to the other doctor. He did not shout about his beliefs.

Please don't recommend that any of those people work in the public libraries! Librarians are trained and educated professionals. We also are very open-minded. You will find that most of us have been on the front lines against censorship, actively promote free speech, and have objected to some of the more oppressive sections of the Patriot Act.

TygrBright

(20,760 posts)

3. I love librarians and truly I would not wish a cadre of bigots on them!

Reply to murielm99 (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 2, 2015, 02:24 AM

Jul 2015

But there are other jobs than librarian in public libraries.

And maybe... just maybe.... they might actually read something.

Because libraries are the best places I know to pry open brains clenched tightly around fear.

idealistically,
Bright