Thursday, August 27, 2020

Discrimination or Love

The country is noisy now because of a bill called the 'anti-Discrimination Act' or 'Equality Act'. Article 11 of our Constitution: "All citizens are equal before the law. No one shall be discriminated against in any area of ​​political, economic, social, or cultural life based on gender, religion, or social status." The anti-discrimination law explains this in more detail. A lawyer writing in the Catholic Times' column In the Eyes of the Believer, explains the bill for the readers.

 'Gender, religion, and social status' listed for reasons of constitutional discrimination are subdivided into 21 categories: including 'gender, disability, age, country of origin, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and educational background'—the constitution's 'no discrimination in all areas of political, economic, social and cultural life'.

In response to this bill, some Christian communities are questioning the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of "sexual orientation and gender identity." 'Sexual orientation' refers to whether you are celibate, heterosexual, or homosexual; gender identity' refers to whether you think of yourself as male or female regardless of your actual biological sex. The anti-discrimination law stipulates the legal principle that discrimination based on "sexual orientation and gender identity" is understood as a principle of law that is now codified.

However, many fear this law will overturn the Christian doctrine of homosexuality as a sin and destroy the marriage system. However, this law says not to discriminate in areas such as employment, education, provision of goods and services, etc. because of homosexuality. Religious activities are not included in any areas subject to discrimination. If a church or related educational institution teaches the doctrine that homosexuality is a sin, or does not employ homosexuals, will they be punished for violating the anti-discrimination law? If so, then this would be obvious reverse discrimination. Our constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. So, just as we allow homosexuality, we must ensure that thoughts or doctrines against homosexuality are guaranteed.

However, since the anti-discrimination law does not apply to purely religious activities the teaching of doctrine in the church is not a problem at all. The anti-discrimination law applies only to daycare centers, elementary, middle, high school, and universities that are established by education-related laws, discipline, and support. Freedom of catechesis is guaranteed for churches and educational institutions within the church.

In the case of private schools established by the denomination, it is natural that certain doctrines should not be enforced because when they receive national benefits, academic qualification and budget support following the Education Act, and the education is not only for members of the church. In terms of employment, the anti-discrimination law does not apply to church institutions. Article 3 of this Act does not regard discrimination in hiring only believers when it is necessary due to the nature of the work.

Homosexuality is usually not a choice of one's own will, but a natural inclination. Paragraph 2357 of the Catholic Church Doctrine states: "tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." However, in paragraph 2358 teaches: "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition, for most of them, it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
 

Doctrine is nothing more than a specific guideline for practicing "love for God and neighbor" well. The same is true of Jewish law. Later, when the law became important for its own sake, Jesus blamed the law scholars, saying that the Sabbath was created for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Doctrine cannot go beyond the teaching of love.

Whenever I look at this passage in the Bible, I look deeply at Jesus: "For he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and his rain to fall on the honest and dishonest alike...Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:45-48).

That's right. If the mysterious right reason of this world was to be summarized in one word, it would be 'love'.