Apr 23, 2012
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Religious liberty groups are blasting a proposed ordinance that would force churches in Hutchinson, Kan. to rent their facilities for gay weddings and gay parties.
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The Hutchinson City Council will consider adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected classes in the city’s human relations code. They are expected to vote on the changes next month.
According to the Hutchinson Human Relations Commission, churches that rent out their buildings to the general public would not be allowed to discriminate “against a gay couple who want to rent the building for a party.”
Meryl Dye, a spokesperson for the Human Relations Commission confirmed to Fox News that churches would be subjected to portions of the proposed law.
“They would not be able to discriminate against gay and lesbian or transgender individuals,” Dye said. “That type of protection parallels to what you find in race discrimination. If a church provides lodging or rents a facility they could not discriminate based on race. It’s along that kind of thinking.”
Matthew Staver, chairman of the Liberty Counsel Action, told Fox News the proposed law is “un-American.”
“It is a collision course between religious freedom and the LGBT agenda,” Staver said. “This proposed legislation will ultimately override the religious freedom that is protected under the First Amendment.”
He argued that churches cannot be forced by the government to set aside their religious convictions and their mission. And, he warned, some churches could even be forced to rent their buildings for drag parties.
“What we are ultimately going to see is churches forced to confront this law, forced to do things and allow their facilities to be used by people and for events that diametrically undercut the mission of the church,” he said.
Robert Noland, of the Kansas Family Policy Council, said the law would extend well beyond allowing access for gay weddings.
“They (churches) could not deny renting space to a gay couple if they want to have a party,” he told Fox News. “This is just another example of government creating a law imposing upon the freedom of religion and basically telling churches what they can and can’t do.”
So what could happen to churches in Hutchinson that refuse to accommodate gay parties or weddings?
“Unless the city council includes an exemption for churches, it would generate a discrimination complaint for the gay couple and it would be investigated,” Dye told Fox News. She said any churches found guilty of violating the law could be subjected to fines or other penalties.
Gary Ridge, an associate pastor of Westside Baptist Church, told Fox News their congregation would not comply with the proposed law should it pass. He said their church would refuse to host either gay weddings or parties – even if it meant a possible investigation or fines.
“We apply the Bible to our lives,” he said. “When there is a contradiction between what the city council asks and what the Bible says, we are going to follow the Bible.”
“This is an opportunity for the LGBT community to cram their belief system down on our community,” Ridge said. “It may look like a small step, but it’s not the end. Before you know it they will be able to shut down churches for preaching Romans 1:26-27. We’ll be sued for refusing to have homosexual weddings.”
Ridge said Hutchinson is a conservative city, a part of the Bible Belt – and he blamed the controversy on outsiders.
“This is part of a bigger desire to have their lifestyle condoned and accepted,” he said. “We don’t condone their activity.”
The Hutchinson measure would also have a major impact on private businesses and landlords. Restaurants, bars and retail shops would be required to provide special bathrooms for individuals who may have male body parts but identify as a female.
According to a FAQ sheet provided by the city, employers would also be forced to allow workers to dress based on their gender identity. Read the entire FAQ sheet by clicking here.
“Dress codes would not be precluded as long as an employer allows an employee to appear, groom and dress consistent with the employee’s gender identity and gender expression,” the FAQ stated.
As far as bathrooms, the city FAQ stated, “A transgender person must be allowed to use restrooms appropriate to their gender identity rather than their assigned gender at birth without being harassed or questioned.”
The city’s revised ordinance would also require transgender individuals to use the locker room and shower facilities of their choosing.
Another issue for Hutchinson’s Christian community involves workplace discrimination. The policy dictates that business owners or landlords are not allowed to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
That’s a problem for Michael Brockman, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church.
“I know a couple who owned a bed and breakfast in Kansas City,” he said. “They decided to shut down because they could see that they were going to be forced to make decisions that might have legal effects upon them. They might be sued if they didn’t rent their facility out to a gay couple who might want to use it.”
Staver said it’s unfair that Christian business owners might have to make decisions about their future.
“You shouldn’t have to choose between participating in the marketplace, running a business or operating a church on the one hand and accepting the LGBT agenda on the other,” Staver said. “This is a battle that is coming. This is a culture divide I think we will see play out across the country.”
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Lets get the truth out in regards to this "controversy".. Taken straight from the proposed law.
"Religious based groups, non-profit institutions controlled by religious associations or societies and non-profit private clubs that are not open to the public are exempt from the requirements of Chapter 3 now and would continue to be exempt should the proposed amendment become law. There is an exception to this exemption, if any of these groups open their services to the general public.
For example, if a church has a parish hall that they rent out to the general public, they could not discriminate against a gay couple who want to rent the building for a party. If the church only rents the building to their parishioners, they can continue to do so. "
So, if a church wants to discriminate, all they have to do is keep their services exclusive to parishoners. Simple as that. The minute they offer services to the "general public", they are held to the same standards and anti-discrimination laws as everyone else. So what's the big deal?
The elections are coming up. Time to vote your conscience on this. A new set of lawmakers could be elected and uphold or jettison this idea.
So much hatred-especially the name-calling. I wouldn't go to any of your churches if this is what is taught.
So much hatred-especially the name-calling. I wouldn't go to any of your churches if this is what is taught.
Fear and hatred are taught by those who seek power over those who are easy to manipulate, misleading those who do not or cannot think for themselves. There are a large number of people who follow what they are told without question and without self-thought. ….Are you one of them? Do you really believe what you are saying or is it what you have been taught to think? Are you intelligent enough to make up your own mind? Hatred and fear are taught and it seems there are a lot of eager learners…….. If you are saying Biblical teaching is the basis for your fear and discrimination than you do not follow Christ for Christianity is a love based religion. When you hate and discriminate you are denying Christ’s teaching. …. I have read and studied the bible and I learned from it that we all need to accept and love all people. All people. If you believe that Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual people should be feared and discriminated against I feel sorry for you. Living your life in fear and hate is no life. It is your decision on how you want to live and what you choose to believe in. If you believe you will be judged in front of God on judgment day do you believe that hatred and discrimination will be the qualities that will get you to heaven? If people who hate and discriminate are in heaven I will choose hell. I believe people are signing Noland’s petition in churches where they are afraid that if they don't sign in front of everyone else they will be chastised.
Fear and hatred are taught by those who seek power over those who are easy to manipulate, misleading those who do not or cannot think for themselves. There are a large number of people who follow what they are told without question and without self-thought. ….Are you one of them? Do you really believe what you are saying or is it what you have been taught to think? Are you intelligent enough to make up your own mind? Hatred and fear are taught and it seems there are a lot of eager learners…….. If you are saying Biblical teaching is the basis for your fear and discrimination than you do not follow Christ for Christianity is a love based religion. When you hate and discriminate you are denying Christ’s teaching. …. I have read and studied the bible and I learned from it that we all need to accept and love all people. All people. If you believe that Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual people should be feared and discriminated against I feel sorry for you. Living your life in fear and hate is no life. It is your decision on how you want to live and what you choose to believe in. If you believe you will be judged in front of God on judgment day do you believe that hatred and discrimination will be the qualities that will get you to heaven? If people who hate and discriminate are in heaven I will choose hell. I believe people are signing Noland’s petition in churches where they are afraid that if they don't sign in front of everyone else they will be chastised.
Churches should be given to choice to offer their space for rent or not. My perspective is that it should not be a law though. To take away the churches decision is only going to cause more problems. It would only seem like the gay community is forcing its self onto to churches and make things more rough. But stating that, I also think the churches should take what is being said to heart and think about it. We are becoming more open minded as the years pass and one day, I hope, there wont have to be a law and everyone will be allowed to rent regardless of sexuality, gender, cultural background, ect.
Maybe the churches should just take up arms against the local government.
What no more liars posting here? Educate yourself instead of letting people like Toddy here tell what is going on! Good luck in your life because you must be pretty dumb to believe everything Fox tells you!
It's amazing to see the relevence this ordinence has within the lives of people in Hutchinson. I am only 18 years old and about to graduate – yet I stand on the side of believers. I truly believe that there IS an absolute transcendant law that dictates morality manifested in the form of the Bible, God's word. Because of this, I believe that churches shouldn't be forced to practice against their belief and marry gay couples or allow equalized restrooms to transgender individuals. 'Discriminance' in the sense of it's use carries a particular negative connotation. It isn't the role of the individual to pass condemnation – I believe it is the role of the believer to love these people – they're the ones who need it the most. However, there is a distinction between the love of Christ and conformity. Why do people assume the alternative to discrimination is embracing of ones belief? As a Christian I cannot and will not say that the practice of gay and lesbianism is either neutral or right. But this doesn't mean I am of the right to condemn them. To the contrary, it is my privelage to pray for them and to witness to them out of sincerity!
The premise of the arguments, regarding discriminec, e assumes a form of equality in all beliefs and all actions – but when faced with a moral and ethical question such as this, only one opinion is right. Either there is a right and a wrong that determines the value of these actions or all actions are equal and there is no right or wrong in which case no one can judge Christians for any form of exclusion.
this is truth: ~John 14: 6~ These words have more power than mine!
It's amazing to see the relevence this ordinence has within the lives of people in Hutchinson. I am only 18 years old and about to graduate – yet I stand on the side of believers. I truly believe that there IS an absolute transcendant law that dictates morality manifested in the form of the Bible, God's word. Because of this, I believe that churches shouldn't be forced to practice against their belief and marry gay couples or allow equalized restrooms to transgender individuals. 'Discriminance' in the sense of it's use carries a particular negative connotation. It isn't the role of the individual to pass condemnation – I believe it is the role of the believer to love these people – they're the ones who need it the most. However, there is a distinction between the love of Christ and conformity. Why do people assume the alternative to discrimination is embracing of ones belief? As a Christian I cannot and will not say that the practice of gay and lesbianism is either neutral or right. But this doesn't mean I am of the right to condemn them. To the contrary, it is my privelage to pray for them and to witness to them out of sincerity!
The premise of the arguments, regarding discriminec, e assumes a form of equality in all beliefs and all actions – but when faced with a moral and ethical question such as this, only one opinion is right. Either there is a right and a wrong that determines the value of these actions or all actions are equal and there is no right or wrong in which case no one can judge Christians for any form of exclusion.
this is truth: ~John 14: 6~ These words have more power than mine!
amen michaela!!
The Church is being singled out because of their beliefs which are thousands of years old and have to do with the Holy Scriptures which are the Words of God and what they have to say about Homosexuality. What Gays really want is the complete subjugation of the Christian Church. They desire to either force Churches to acquiesce to their demands which include the full recognition and forced acceptance of the Gay/Lesbian agenda or to close their doors permanently. They want to outlaw any Scripture that speaks negatively of Homosexuality by declaring it "hate speech" and the arrest and detainment of anyone who engages in such anti-gay activities….this has already happened next door in Canada where Preachers have been led out of their Church Buildings in handcuffs and in front of their Congregations in mid-sermon after quoting the Book of Romans and what it has to say about Homosexuality. They have, in effect, declared War on the Bible and Christianity. They are determined to bully and intimidate cowardly Law Makers and Judges into passing and enforcing such laws favoring their agenda. Unfortunately, the Church has gone inside its buildings, stuck their fingers in their ears and are pretending that all of the uproar will just go away if they ignore it long enough…..
The Church is being singled out because of their beliefs which are thousands of years old and have to do with the Holy Scriptures which are the Words of God and what they have to say about Homosexuality. What Gays really want is the complete subjugation of the Christian Church. They desire to either force Churches to acquiesce to their demands which include the full recognition and forced acceptance of the Gay/Lesbian agenda or to close their doors permanently. They want to outlaw any Scripture that speaks negatively of Homosexuality by declaring it "hate speech" and the arrest and detainment of anyone who engages in such anti-gay activities….this has already happened next door in Canada where Preachers have been led out of their Church Buildings in handcuffs and in front of their Congregations in mid-sermon after quoting the Book of Romans and what it has to say about Homosexuality. They have, in effect, declared War on the Bible and Christianity. They are determined to bully and intimidate cowardly Law Makers and Judges into passing and enforcing such laws favoring their agenda. Unfortunately, the Church has gone inside its buildings, stuck their fingers in their ears and are pretending that all of the uproar will just go away if they ignore it long enough…..
I hope this is true.
So much for the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution… funny how the LIBTURDS can read and interpret the Constitution to fit the situation….
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