My Voice: Freedom in SB 149 yours and mine – Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Dale Bartscher 2:05 p.m. CT April 13, 2017

Last year, Target adopted a corporate policy allowing individuals the freedom to choose which restroom to use based on their self-perceived gender identity. As a result a man who identifies himself as a woman may use the same restroom as Little Maria or Grandma Emma. I think this is a terrible policy.

In 2015, Starbucks publicly announced its support for same-sex marriage. When some stockholders objected to the company taking a public stance on a divisive issue, CEO Howard Shultz told them that if they didnt like the companys position, You can sell your shares in Starbucks and buy shares in another company. I also think that was a wrong decision for the coffee company to take.

But Im also a staunch supporter of freedom. And freedom allows for differences of opinion. It means that people, organizations, and companies can espouse certain values and beliefs with which I disagree. It means that they can act consistent with those beliefs without fear of being thrown in jail or fined into oblivion by the government. So while I disagree with the positions taken by Target and Starbucks, I do not believe that the government should be able to tell them what to believe or whether they can operate their business consistent with their values.

Freedom is what Senate Bill 149 is all about. It ensures that adoption agencies across the state can operate consistent with their religious beliefs without fear of being shut down or punished by the government for doing so.

Some people are going to agree with the religious convictions held by some of the adoption agencies in the state; others will staunchly disagree with those beliefs. And that is okay. In fact, that is what makes America distinct from many other countries on earth. We can strongly disagree about beliefs and ideas and still peacefully live together.

The opponents of SB 149, do not simply disagree with the beliefs held by religious adoption agencies in S.D., they oppose giving adoption agencies the freedom to hold those beliefs. They want the government to have the authority to determine what organizations can believe and whether or not they can operate in accordance with those beliefs.

So if a local government, any government, disagrees with an adoption agencys belief regarding the importance of placing a child with a married mother and father, then opponents of SB 149 think the government should be able to shut down that agency.

That, my friends, is not freedom.

If SB 149s opponents are so upset that some adoption agencies may hold values they dont like, I have a suggestion for them: start your own adoption agency. Start a dozen of them. Set your own policies and incorporate your own beliefs into your agencies practices. If a local government, any government, disagrees with your agencies beliefs, maybe then you will see the wisdom of SB 149. Because in that moment, you will hopefully realize that SB 149 also protects your freedom to operate your adoption agencies consistent with your beliefs.

MY VOICE

Dale Bartscher, Rapid City, is executive director of the Family Heritage Alliance. My Voice columns should be 500 to 700 words. Submissions should include a portrait-type photograph of the author. Authors also should include their full name, age, occupation and relevant organizational memberships.

Send columns to Argus Leader, Box 5034, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5034, fax them to 605-331-2294 or email them to letters@argusleader.com.

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My Voice: Freedom in SB 149 yours and mine - Sioux Falls Argus Leader