AP: “A bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate would make it unlawful for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Senate President Jeff Kessler, the sponsor, introduced similar bills in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The bills passed the Senate each year but stalled in the House of Delegates. The West Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment and housing based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability.”

Even though the water crisis has dominated the legislature up to this point, anyone with an ounce of insight into West Virginia politics knew that it was a matter of time before a bill like this hit the floor. The tide is changing in West Virginia and true conservatives that do more than talk are gaining seats in the state house. Knowing this, liberals seeking to veer away from the values that has made our state great are desperate. This bill from Kessler is just another example of that desperation.

Either Kessler is ignorant of the implications or simply does not care that ENDA laws are used to punish conservative and religious non-profits, schools, and even churches. These laws set the stage to allow the state to prosecute a Christian school that refuses to hire a homosexual on doctrinal grounds. Furthermore, these laws open the doors to prosecution of religious charities and children’s services that refuse to compromise their religious convictions.

Ultimately, the so-called “non-discrimination” laws (ENDA) are used to punish, persecute, and discriminate against people with religious convictions. I’ve already called out our state lawmakers for ignoring the abortion industry and the harm it’s doing to women while claiming to be pro-life. (Click the link to see my article in The Journal.) Now I’m calling out our state lawmakers for claiming to support religious freedom while pushing anti-religious freedom bills.

I encourage you to contact your state lawmakers and let them know how much you oppose anti-religious freedom ENDA bills. You can find a directory of all elected officials here.