Is it appropriate to read the Bible out loud in public?

[Heirbyadoption]

Society is changing, that is true. But the law mostly changes in response to changes in society, not because of it. Laws are actually almost always a trailing indicator of societal change. But none of that affects the ability of churches to practice their religion as they see fit. At worst, all it affects is their ability to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs.

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Bear in mind that "discrimination" is not automatically and inherently wrong. That might be a whole thread of its own, though...

[Grace]

Society is changing, that is true. But the law mostly changes in response to changes in society, not because of it. Laws are actually almost always a trailing indicator of societal change. But none of that affects the ability of churches to practice their religion as they see fit. At worst, all it affects is their ability to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs.

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Bear in mind that "discrimination" is not automatically and inherently wrong. That might be a whole thread of its own, though...

You have a point. If a 50 year old man or woman who is 100 lbs. overweight applies for a fire fighting job, I would say the fire company has a right to discriminate and not hire them. If a small store owner hires 14 and 15 year olds to stock shelves, that store owner has the right to not hire someone who has a police record for pedophilia. Employers discriminate all the time when to refuse to hire someone who doesn’t have the right skills for the work a job entails. When schools and universities grant black students entrance, not based on their grades, but skin color (Affirmative Action) they discriminate against more qualified students who might be white.

[MaxPC]

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Bear in mind that "discrimination" is not automatically and inherently wrong. That might be a whole thread of its own, though...

In my perspective, better words for church choices would be differentiate and delineate: the Bible delineates those behaviors that are hallmarks of Christian discipleship and these hallmarks are used to differentiate among candidates for the various church-related positions.

[Ken]

Society is changing, that is true. But the law mostly changes in response to changes in society, not because of it. Laws are actually almost always a trailing indicator of societal change. But none of that affects the ability of churches to practice their religion as they see fit. At worst, all it affects is their ability to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs.

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Not churches so much but people.

So, for example, an apartment manager who refuses to rent to gay people or Black people or inter-racial couples and who claims that to require him to do so violates his religious liberty. Maybe it is legal for him to do so, maybe not. But it is still discrimination.

[MaxPC]

Enough of the motte and bailey; back to the OP:
What do you and your fellowship do to keep the Bible visible in “the public square”?

[Grace]

Not churches so much but people.

So, for example, an apartment manager who refuses to rent to gay people or Black people or inter-racial couples and who claims that to require him to do so violates his religious liberty. Maybe it is legal for him to do so, maybe not. But it is still discrimination.

Yet Apartment managers can discriminate against smokers, when they refuse to rent to people who smoke, or people who have pets, etc.

What do you and your fellowship do to keep the Bible visible in “the public square”?

Someone once said, that the way Christians live or conduct themselves, is their only exposure to the Bible some people will have. I have found our testimony often speaks volumes. One of the many ways is literal and tangible, such as helping the needy and poor, doing relief work. Here in Lancaster County we have places like the Water Street Rescue Mission, who provides help to the homeless and troubled, offering them not only food, but a place to stay, and also the gospel. We have had our church youth go out and help people in the community, which spurred interest in our church and what we believe. A community fun day, bringing out people and children in the community, Summer Bible school, supporting the local "Release Time" bringing out public school children to a local church for Christian singing, Bible stories, bible verses, etc.

https://joyelcamps.org/reaching-the-unc ... ased-time/

[Josh]

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Bear in mind that "discrimination" is not automatically and inherently wrong. That might be a whole thread of its own, though...

You have a point. If a 50 year old man or woman who is 100 lbs. overweight applies for a fire fighting job, I would say the fire company has a right to discriminate and not hire them. If a small store owner hires 14 and 15 year olds to stock shelves, that store owner has the right to not hire someone who has a police record for pedophilia. Employers discriminate all the time when to refuse to hire someone who doesn’t have the right skills for the work a job entails. When schools and universities grant black students entrance, not based on their grades, but skin color (Affirmative Action) they discriminate against more qualified students who might be white.

More liberal states are passing laws that don’t allow employers to “discriminate” based on criminal history.

So actually in eg California, you do have to hire a convicted pedophile, wife-beater, and drug abuser.

[Josh]

Society is changing, that is true. But the law mostly changes in response to changes in society, not because of it. Laws are actually almost always a trailing indicator of societal change. But none of that affects the ability of churches to practice their religion as they see fit. At worst, all it affects is their ability to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs.

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Not churches so much but people.

So, for example, an apartment manager who refuses to rent to gay people or Black people or inter-racial couples and who claims that to require him to do so violates his religious liberty. Maybe it is legal for him to do so, maybe not. But it is still discrimination.

Being black is not a choice. (Why do you always capitalise the word “black”?)

But being a homosexual is a choice. I don’t see why I should be forced to accept other people’s sexual choices. I don’t want to have to accept fornication, pedophilia, homosexuality, cohabitation, transsexuality, or various strange sexual perversions / fetishes such as the one’s Biden’s new nuclear waste czar engages in.

[Ken]

Could you describe how churches discriminate? For example, should churches be required to hire an atheist pastor, organist, etc.? Would that be what you interpret as discrimination?

Not churches so much but people.

So, for example, an apartment manager who refuses to rent to gay people or Black people or inter-racial couples and who claims that to require him to do so violates his religious liberty. Maybe it is legal for him to do so, maybe not. But it is still discrimination.

Being black is not a choice. (Why do you always capitalise the word “black”?)

But being a homosexual is a choice. I don’t see why I should be forced to accept other people’s sexual choices. I don’t want to have to accept fornication, pedophilia, homosexuality, cohabitation, transsexuality, or various strange sexual perversions / fetishes such as the one’s Biden’s new nuclear waste czar engages in.

The same reason I capitalize the Bible or Christianity or English or Asian. It is the accepted style. Language evolves. We used to say Negro and capitalized that.

No one is forcing you to do anything. You live your best life Josh and treat others however you want. And go read your Bible in public as much as you want. I doubt anyone is going to care unless you make yourself into a public nuisance and violate noise ordinances or some such. In which case it probably isn't the words people object to but the noise.

[MaxPC]

Isaiah 5:20-21
20  Woe to those who call evil good
    and good evil,
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter!
21  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
    and shrewd in their own sight!