Reported by Carley Gordon
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
Metro City Council voted to defer the vote on a controversial nondiscrimination bill that would prevent any company that does business with Metro from discriminating against people because of their ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Video: Nondiscrimination Bill Becomes Religious Issue
The deferral motion passed 24 to 12, two abstained and five were absent.
The bill will be voted on in the next council meeting. The bill deals with government, business and discrimination on the basis of sex. But it's now become a religious issue in Nashville as well.
In the weeks and months leading up to Tuesday, two large religious groups came forward -- one being very vocal about why this bill is a good idea, and the other adamant that it isn't.
Just weeks after Belmont University soccer coach Lisa Howe said she was gay and left her job at the university, a bill landed in front a Metro Council members. The bill is sponsored by Councilman Mike Jameson.
Since then, it has sparked concern from groups with agendas of all types. Together, 20 Nashville clergy members sent a letter urging the council to pass the new law, citing moral reasons.
"I think it's a justice issue, purely and simply, and an issue of morality, and this church has always tried to speak out, especially for those who may be powerless," said the Rev. Linda White, pastor of Brookemeade Congregational United Church of Christ.
Around the same time, council members received another letter -- this time, from the Southern Baptist Convention. It said passing this bill will hurt Metro's economy.
"Many businesses in Metro who will decide they'd rather not do business with Metro if they're going to have to comply with this ordinance, and thus, there'll be less competition in competitive bidding," said Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention.
While the bill is meant to address Metro's business practices, this has now instigated a heated debate about Bible interpretation.
"Jesus said, 'Love your enemy. Love your neighbor as yourself,'" said White. "That is the bottom line."
"'Love your neighbor as yourself' does not mean that you condone their behavior when their behavior is contrary to Scripture," Land said.
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