Tennessee shows it's hate

[Cyndee]

If someone says "no I won't treat you, and it's because of my sincerely held religious beliefs", then you can't sue them, this legislation allows protection from litigation in that regard.

Again why would you even want to pursue working with someone that might "discriminate" in the first place ?

Best to discover that, up front as soon as possible....

This approach however is part of a larger "trend" and is not simply limited to just finding a mental health professional, this religious objection approach is being crafted in all sorts of other legislation nationwide. The trend is toward legalizing discrimination. Religion has now become the basis in which to legalize discrimination.

People are free to practice religion in this country. I ask - how much freedom FROM religion should one be allowed, that is the question ?

[Guest]

I remember a time in the early seventies when there was a rise is mail order minister ordaining. Self ordained and forming any manner or church claiming religious exemption from taxation and law. It started that people would claim marijuana smoking was a religious belief exempt from law. Then things got almost comical. Motorcycle riders church, religious exemption as to wearing no helmet in helmet law states. On and on, one fellow was selling church kits claiming that one could form a church claiming a belief against paying all taxes or as a self proclaimed non profit. All the loopholes and erroneous information was closed down. There was quite a spillover before that happened.

Imagine if no controls were enacted? Apply it to this issue of exempt discrimination. How many lives harmed or lost to these snowballing laws. Again a new dark shade of history repeating itself. A sea of Panzer tanks were only protecting the owner's best interests? I think not. Will TDOR become their religious celebration?

[Mayo]

I don't think a lot of people will deliberately seek out practitioners who disagree with them or with whom they don't get along, but in some cases you don't have a choice if you live in an under-served area (which in turn reminds me of the restrictions some states have placed on the availability of abortion services that compel some women to drive hundreds of miles for multiple appointments). If I'm gay or trans and my family and schoolmates/co-workers hate me and I seek support and counselling on how to deal with the homo/transphobia and am then told "I can't treat you because I think you're going to burn in hell"... well, no wonder 40% of trans people (e.g.) have attempted suicide. When you sign up for the job you are expected to adhere to the code of conduct of your profession and to the current standards of treatment (e.g. not recommending 'ex-gay' therapy) and if you can't do that then you shouldn't be practicing. If you want to limit your clients to certain types of people, then you should move to a place where you can specialize and which will then give you some latitude in choosing your patients - not because you don't want them, but because there are other practitioners there who are more willing and better suited to take on those cases.