Some people regularly suggest that the Church should stay out of
politics, but we regret to observe that the current political agenda is
encroaching upon fundamental principles that Christians, and people of
all faiths, hold dear: compassion for the poor, safety for all people
and equality for everyone.
House Bill 2453, which is currently before the Kansas Senate,
proposes to legalize discrimination against gay and lesbian couples,
attributing the excuse for such discrimination as “religious freedom.”
In truth, this bill is not about religious freedom but is aimed at
creating state-authorized bias and inequality.
Under this bill, government employees could refuse to offer
services to their fellow citizens and taxpayers, while claiming
religious motives. Business owners could refuse goods and services to
people they perceive to be partnered gay or lesbians without
repercussion. This proposed legislation is reminiscent of the worst laws
that permitted discrimination against people on the basis of color, sex
or nation of origin. The intent of this bill is an affront to the
beliefs of all Kansans who support equal treatment under the law for
every human being.
Kansas history is filled with examples of standing up for the
expansion of rights – in our abolitionist, free state roots; as the
first state in the country to elect a woman to a political office; and
as a place identified with contributing to the end of school
desegregation. We have a high calling to provide equality and equal
opportunity to everyone.
For Episcopalians, our faith is unequivocal. Our Baptismal
Covenant asks, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among
all people and respect the dignity of every human being?” Promising to
strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity
of every human being requires us to be adamantly opposed to legislation
that does none of these things.
Our biblically based faith calls us to live out the command
of Jesus Christ to love one another. You cannot love your fellow Kansans
and deny them the rights that belong to everyone else.
We urge the rejection of this bill so that our great state might continue to stand for justice, dignity and equality.
In Christ,
The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe
Ninth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas
Ninth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas
The Right Reverend Michael P. Milliken
Fifth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas
Fifth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas
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