Civil union law is attack on religion

Gov. Pat Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan apparently have no problem shutting down religious adoption and foster care agencies in Illinois in order to advance a radical political agenda. With the recent enactment of the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, Quinn and Madigan are using the heavy hand of government to shut down the good foster care work of Catholic Charities merely because it adheres to the Judeo-Christian definition of family.

Yes, in upholding traditional religious teachings, and in the best interest of children, they will not place foster children in nonmarried or homosexual homes. State Rep. Greg Harris, sponsor of the civil unions law, claims that religious vendors like Catholic Charities cannot discriminate because of sexual orientation. Yet Harris neglects to acknowledge that Illinois’ anti-discrimination law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. The state of Illinois is unequivocally guilty of this!

The free exercise of religion is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, Illinois’ Religious Freedom Restoration Act and in the civil union law itself, which stipulates “nothing in this act shall interfere with or regulate the religious practice of any religious body.” This unwarranted attack on religious liberty is a blatant overreach and abuse of governmental authority.

David E. Smith

Executive director

Illinois Family Institute

Carol Stream