Catholicism and Homophobia in Washington D.C.

Via the Washington Post: The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

The time for tolerance must come to an end. This needless deference to a belief in mythology should be cast aside. This story and the corresponding debate serves to cement in my mind the reality that organized religion is nothing but an impediment toward progress in our society. Their arguments are ultimately specious and the archdiocese's attempt to extort a political compromise out of the D.C. lawmakers reveals the Catholic Church's hypocritical nature. Any effort to meddle in the Church's affairs would be met with an outcry of government interference, but this attempt to effectively blackmail the D.C. council is cloaked in their ever-thinning veil of religious freedom.

No more. Let them pull out of their contracts. Let the D.C. council give that money to other NGOs and non-profits who would be thrilled to offer services sans proselytizing. Embrace civics, not false hope. Fill a pothole, not a church's coffers. Let this be a clarion call to all who believe in the separation of Church and State.

It's time to cut the cord and make the separation real.