New ordinance represents a ‘minefield’ for churches, Georgia pastor says

Image Source: Baptist Press

By Scott Barkley - Posted at Baptist Press:

TUCKER, Ga. (BP) – The passage of a nondiscrimination ordinance (NDO) in this city outside of Atlanta should be a warning for churches and all concerned about religious liberty, says a Southern Baptist pastor active in opposing the measure.

The new city ordinance takes effect July 12 and received support from many pro-LGBTQ+ groups such as Georgia Equality. It prohibits “unlawful discrimination” based on several factors including “actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation [and] gender identity,” among others.

Mayor Frank Auman, who has questioned the need for the ordinance since it began to form a year ago out of an ad hoc group, was the lone dissenter in the 6-1 vote to pass.

In discussions over recent months, ordinance authors assured Rehoboth Baptist Church Senior Pastor Troy Bush that religious liberty exemptions were adequate.

He remains far from convinced.

“This ordinance does not represent a just and fair way forward for Tucker,” Bush told Baptist Press. “It negatively impacts religious organizations, people of faith and everyone who believes biological males should not be allowed to compete in girls’ and women’s sports and enter restrooms designated for girls and women.”

Tucker is the 15th municipality in Georgia – all but four in the metro Atlanta area – to pass such an ordinance.

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