Businesses cannot discriminate

Here we go again. “Christian” groups want to thump us over our heads with their Bibles while asking the government for laws that would allow them to discriminate against certain segments of society.

All businesses must abide by fundamental government rules, such as to provide service/cater to anyone “regardless of race, creed, color, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation.” A Muslim cannot, for example, establish a U.S. taxi service and refuse to cater to Jewish, lesbian passengers just because the Muslim finds the passengers' religion or lifestyle “offensive.”

A couple thousand years ago, the greatest man who ever walked the face of the Earth was questioned about a similar quandary. His reply, I felt, settled the argument: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.” Yep, Jesus Christ understood the principles of church versus state.

Now if God were in control of businesses, then such “ungodly” practices such as insurance companies denying your valid claims and hospitals using subjective pricing for hospital stays would be nonexistent. Also, “business ethics” would not be an oxymoron. Unfortunately, discrimination and ignorance also would be rampant. More important, could mankind really withstand the numerous annihilations that would accompany each infraction?

Ambrose Lawson

Cedar Rapids