raveneye

Here is an example of religious "moral values" finding their way into the political sphere, propelled there perhaps by a religious right emboldened by the re-election of Bush, America's most famous evangelical Christian.

A woman was fired or forced to quit her job (depends on which news account you read) as sheriff's dispatcher because of a law that prohibits cohabitation by unmarried people.

Her boss, Sheriff Carson Smith, is not sympathetic. He isn't talking much, but I can imagine his defense of his position: She's working for the sheriff's office, whose purpose is to enforce the law. If she isn't willing to enforce the law in her own home, then she has no business working for the sheriff's office.

He didn't actually say that, but I think it's reasonable to infer between the lines. What he did say is this:

So my question to TFPers, especially those who consider themselves on the "religious right": do you agree with this law, and Smith's sentiments above? Should this woman not be allowed to be working as a sheriff's dispatcher because she's living with her boyfriend?

How far should "absolute morality" be enforced in the workplace, when we're talking about something done in the privacy of one's home?

Are we going to start reactivating and enforcing all blue laws now?

Lebell

There are plenty of blue laws already on the books and being enforced.

But no, I don't agree with the law, nor do I generally agree with laws that legistlate what two adults do in private.

Nor do I think you'll find many (any?) here who do.

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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

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braisler

I thought this was one of those laws they have on the books, but never actually enforce. But then, I guess that is the danger of having such backwards LAWS encoded. Some shmuck might come along and actually try to enforce them.

"Personally and morally" that Sheriff has no business poking into the private affairs of his workers. Does it affect how she does her job? If she was trafficking drugs or had been arrested for child abuse, then I could see the point, but this just sounds like they are looking for a way to fire her and stumbled across the "co-habitation" statute as a way to get it done with a minumum of fuss.

Oh Lord, Save Us from your followers!

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You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.
- Albert Einstein
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OFKU0

This may only make sense to me but, if the southern states are refered to as "the bible belt," how it it that 99% of the time that I watch the show COPS, it is these god fearing folk in trouble.

Anyways I'd be more worried about cousins marrying than two consenting non-related people shacking up together. But then again I think the bible has as much significance as a Harry Potter novel so there you go.

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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

Bill O'Rights

Personally and morarlly, I think it's best to dance naked on your front lawn under the light of the full moon. Who cares what he thinks? I'm getting sick and tired of having someone elses morals shoved down my throat. Live your own damn life, the best way that you see fit, and stay the hell out of everyone elses!

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"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

martinguerre

i'd be surprised to see this law survive a serious challenge. my advice to north carolina? lawyer up.

__________________
For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-John 3:16

liquidlight

I hear about laws like this being enforced and it makes me wonder what's wrong with some people that they can be so closed minded and judgemental.

Isn't one of the founding precepts of Christianity compassion? Also isn't the right to judge others reserved by God? What business is it of mine if they're living together? In this day and age with what it costs to have and maintain a household why wouldn't you live with your significant other? I highly doubt that it's going to change many of their behaviors anyway!

That sheriff is probably just pissed off that his boyfriend told him no when he asked him ot move in with him.

What's next, are they going to start enforcing the law in Memphis that says a woman may only drive a car if there is a man running in front of it waving a red flag?!

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Halfway to hell and picking up speed.

kutulu

There just has to be more to it. I can't believe that would be all that is going on here.

Grasshopper Green

I don't think its the governments business what goes on between two consenting adults behind closed doors. There are many such laws here in Utah, and I don't remember exactly when this occurred, but the state attorney was questioning some political higher ups about their sexual practices, specifically regarding oral sex, which is illegal in Utah, and none would answer. It's time, IMO, to drop ridiculous laws such as these.

__________________
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

OFKU0

I'm guessing that oral sex, which is illegal in several states, is so because of religious requirement through and through supposed moral sanctity defined by law as such.

But it's funny, if there is a God, I just see him taking a break from admiring his handy work, relaxing and getting a blowjob from time to time rather than bouncing empty Bud cans off the gun rack in his pickup truck and wiping his snotty nose on his Nascar t-shirt..

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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

RangerDick

Real nice. I'm no religious zealout (the farthest thing from it actually), but your comments are outrageous and frankly, I'm surprised they've been allowed to stand. I understand that it's very vogue these days to put down any type of organized religion (all you "anti-conformists" are so original), but can you at least keep it to things like smearing feces on a statue of the Virgin Mary? At least be creative. What a fucking tool, not as clever as you think are.

Just to put things in perspective, how do you feel about your mother? How would you feel if someone said they were imagining your mother giving them a blowjob? Meh, whatever......you will never get it.

Religion aside, would some bullshit generalitysomehow relating to Nascar T's and gunracks like that be allowed to stand if it were in regard to a particular nationality (how bout those crazy ragheads? cameljockeys?), or race (niggers? spics? wetbacks?) Doubt it. Any subscription to Christianity and it's open season. The mods would close that shit down in a new york minute. (presumably)

RangerDick

Back to the thread topic though....

This just simply doesn't pass the smell test with me. There is more to the story that we're not getting. I don't buy that the dispatcher was fired SOLELY for living with her boyfriend. If that's the case, then I agree.... it's fucked up, but I doubt it.

What's even more amusing though is the lack of skepticism given to this story by our liberal posters here. Seems they're taking it for all it's worth and running with it. It would be nice if the same degree of skepticism was applied to these types of stories as they apply to anything Bush related. But I guess that just wouldn't be as sexy.

tecoyah

OK....first we have someone making comments that are borderline insulting....and likely full aware that they are.

We immediately follow this up By removing the border, and the line, and insulting the member who walked the border.

There is no reason for this kind of childish debate......is there?

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Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

OFKU0

RangerDick you are right. My comments are unfair. I've never met God and don't know if he even has a driver's license. Or even if he drink's beer for that matter.

Next time I firmly plant my tongue in my cheek I'll do so in reality and comment on the 'religious moral standards' of let's say,...Catholic priests. Then I don't have to speculate as to what God does in his spare time or if he even exists.

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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

raveneye

Well you don't have to believe the woman to be alarmed by what the sheriff himself is quoted as saying. The law exists, and he "avoids hiring" people who violate it.

And what the sheriff is saying is actually fairly innocuous compared to Rick Santorum's comments (and those of many other social conservatives) in response to the Lawrence v. Texas decision.

Re: blue laws in general, there are 14 states that prohibit the sale of vibrators, and Texas, Georgia, and Alabama still actually prosecute people for buying vibrators. And it's also mainly the bible belt states that enforce sabbath restrictions.

Ironically enough, blue law enforcement seems to be a phenomenon of red states.

james t kirk

Great post.

I get a kick out of cops.

Some yahoo southern cop chasing a stolen minivan worth 50 bucks and doing about $50,000 worth of damage in the process.

Either that, or busting hookers / johns to keep the god fearin folk safe.

stevo

Can't say I agree with it. I mean hell, I live with my girlfriend, have been for 2 years. I hope I don't get fired for it.

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"If I am such a genius why am I drunk, lost in the desert, with a bullet in my ass?" -Otto Mannkusser

Locobot

Has Sheriff Carson Smith ever fired a man for this "offense?" Its bizarre that we live in a country where "Sex in the City" is wildly popular, emulated by millions of young women, and incidents like this still take place. It's amazing that so many people are still threatened by female sexuality.

OPgary

Sounds like the sheriff couldn't get into her strides or he was looking for a way to just plain get rid of her, assuming this actually happened. Persoanlly, it is no ones biz who she lives with.