Understand The Times, International

Chai Feldblum, the Georgetown University law professor nominated by President Obama to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has written that society should �not tolerate� any �private beliefs,� including religious beliefs, that may negatively affect homosexual �equality.�

�Just as we do not tolerate private racial beliefs that adversely affect African-Americans in the commercial arena, even if such beliefs are based on religious views, we should similarly not tolerate private beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity that adversely affect LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] people,� the Georgetown law professor argued.

All beliefs should be equal, regardless of their source, Feldblum says. �A belief derived from a religious faith should be accorded no more weight�and no less weight�than a belief derived from a non-religious source.� According to Feldman, the source of a person�s belief � be it God, spiritual energy, or the five senses � �has no relevance.�

Feldblum does recognize that elements of the homosexual agenda may infringe on Americans� religious liberties. However, Feldblum argues that society should �come down on the side� of homosexual equality at the expense of religious liberty. Because the conflict between the two is �irreconcilable,� religious liberty -- which she also calls "belief liberty" -- must be placed second to the �identity liberty� of homosexuals.