Texas county officials refused to hire applicants who didn't attend their Baptist church, share their religious views

A Texas judge ruled last week that a case against Williamson County could go forward after a job applicant claimed that commissioners had a religious test for constable jobs.

Robert Lloyd explained at a press conference that Williamson County asked about his views on marriage, abortion and religion during a 2013 interview for a job at the Williamson County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office.

“I was shocked,” Lloyd said, according to KVUE. “I was sick to my stomach when I left because I had never believed that things like this in government would go on.”

Video depositions obtained by KVUE show Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman and other commissioners admitting that applicants were asked about abortion and marriage.

“I asked a question on their view on gay marriage to all the applicants for Precinct 3 Constable and their view on abortion,” Birkman says in her deposition.

Lloyd’s lawyer, Wayne Krause Yang, asserted at the press conference that the commissioners refused to hire applicants who were not Baptists.

“If you don’t go to the church that they go to, you can’t have a job as a public employee in Williamson County,” Yang noted.

Vicar Of Dibley wrote:Why would someone want a job with Christians if they don't believe in what they do .

How is it a cult ?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Vicar Of Dibley wrote:Why would someone want a job with Christians if they don't believe in what they do .

How is it a cult ?

They work for the county government and represent the whole county, not just the First Baptist Church of the Sacred Abstinence

They're using government power to deny work to qualified applicants and to promote their church and religion.

They're a cult because they've been brainwashed into thinking it's OK to only hire fellow cult members to work for their county.

VOD wrote:what makes a cult though just believing the same thing doesn't mean they're a cult , can you post up proof because many churches are labelled cults when they are not .

Original Quill wrote:

VOD wrote:what makes a cult though just believing the same thing doesn't mean they're a cult , can you post up proof because many churches are labelled cults when they are not .

Actually, most religions are cults.  A cult is defined as a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

What is extremist?  It's just a matter of orientation.  What is false?  Well...have you really, actually, ever....really seen a bearded old man walking on clouds and performing magic tricks for the kids?  Would you step off the wings of a 747 at 34,000-ft.?  Have you ever tasted wine that was once water?  What year?  Lol.  

Wait here, and I'll go get Lazareth of Bethany.

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

VOD wrote:what makes a cult though just believing the same thing doesn't mean they're a cult , can you post up proof because many churches are labelled cults when they are not .

Actually, most religions are cults.  A cult is defined as a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

What is extremist?  It's just a matter of orientation.  What is false?  Well...have you really, actually, ever....really seen a bearded old man walking on clouds and performing magic tricks for the kids?  Would you step off the wings of a 747 at 34,000-ft.?  Have you ever tasted wine that was once water?  What year?  Lol.  

Wait here, and I'll go get Lazareth of Bethany.

many groups can be considered a cult but the problem with the word is it's negative connotations, people think waco when they hear cult....

I consider the jw's and lds cults, they are dangerous to believers but not in a way that would cost them there lives, though the blood issue with jw's could of course...

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Actually, most religions are cults.  A cult is defined as a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

What is extremist?  It's just a matter of orientation.  What is false?  Well...have you really, actually, ever....really seen a bearded old man walking on clouds and performing magic tricks for the kids?  Would you step off the wings of a 747 at 34,000-ft.?  Have you ever tasted wine that was once water?  What year?  Lol.  

Wait here, and I'll go get Lazareth of Bethany.

many groups can be considered a cult but the problem with the word is it's negative connotations, people think waco when they hear cult....

I consider the jw's and lds cults, they are dangerous to believers but not in a way that would cost them there lives, though the blood issue with jw's could of course...

Original Quill wrote:

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

many groups can be considered a cult but the problem with the word is it's negative connotations, people think waco when they hear cult....

I consider the jw's and lds cults, they are dangerous to believers but not in a way that would cost them there lives, though the blood issue with jw's could of course...

How do you talk about connotation, without providing any definition?  Webster's Dictionary can't even give a definition without stumbling over internal logical inconsistencies: what is extreme?  What is truth?  All faiths claim that they have it, don't they?

Take a look at the Mormons.  FGS, they are as loony as a pennywhistle.  Lost tribe?  Hitched a ride to South America around 10,000 BCE?  Sound like Star Wars?

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

many groups can be considered a cult but the problem with the word is it's negative connotations, people think waco when they hear cult....

I consider the jw's and lds cults, they are dangerous to believers but not in a way that would cost them there lives, though the blood issue with jw's could of course...

How do you talk about connotation, without providing any definition?  Webster's Dictionary can't even give a definition without stumbling over internal logical inconsistencies: what is extreme?  What is truth?  All faiths claim that they have it, don't they?

Take a look at the Mormons.  FGS, they are as loony as a pennywhistle.  Lost tribe?  Hitched a ride to South America around 10,000 BCE?  Sound like Star Wars?

I know I often think the book of mormon would make a great tv series, complete fictional work of course....

Ben_Reilly wrote:

heavenlyfatheryetagain wrote:

I know I often think the book of mormon would make a great tv series, complete fictional work of course....

All religions are like that, they're full of ridiculous stories