Contact: Janet, 936-560-3900, Janet@vaaction.org

NACOGDOCHES, Texas, Nov. 20, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tea Party Unity Chairman Dr. Rick Scarborough warned that enacting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would be a serious blow to religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment. "If the bill becomes law, Christians will be forced to violate their conscience or violate ENDA," Scarborough declared.

ENDA, which passed the Senate by a vote of 64-32 (including 10 Republicans) earlier this month, would prohibit employers from "discriminating" based on so-called sexual orientation and "gender-identity," among other classifications.

"While ENDA supposedly contains an exemption for churches and other religious institutions, there is none for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs." Scarborough said. "This law is about forcing Bible-believing Christians to deny their faith rather than inconvenience cross-dressing, gender-confused adults."

Scarborough continued: "How do you know if someone is engaged in homosexual behavior unless they tell you so? ENDA would force Christians, Orthodox Jews and other people of faith to employ those who flaunt their 'sexuality' in the work place."

"Gender identity" signifies a man or a woman who "identifies" with the opposite sex.

Scarborough: "That means a business would be required to employ a man who dresses like a woman. It also means that the owner would have to let him use the ladies' changing room and rest room."

"The American Psychiatric Association just changed its definition of pedophilia from a mental disorder to a 'sexual interest.' Under ENDA, would a day-care center be compelled to hire a man who announces that he's sexually attracted to children, as long as there's no clear-cut evidence that he has acted on the attraction?"

"This is not about non-discrimination," Scarborough added. "It's the latest blatant assault on religious liberty in the name of equality."

Despite Speaker John Boehner's promise not to bring ENDA up in the House, he is under enormous pressure to do so. Tea Party activists, conservatives and concerned Christians should encourage him to stand firm for religious freedom.

To schedule an interview with Dr. Rick Scarborough, who is also an ordained minister, contact Janet at 936-560-3900 or Janet@vaaction.org.

For more information, you can visit the Tea Party Unity website at www.TeaPartyUnity.org.

Tea Party Unity is a project of Vision America Action.