Weather
Study Released by Opponents of Gay Rights OrdinanceSays proposition on April ballot threatens religious liberties; pro-proposition clergy disagreeRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - There’s a new development in the battle over whether to include members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender community in the city's anti-discrimination law. Those who oppose Proposition Five say a new report shows faith-based organizations would be forced to go against their beliefs if the ordinance is passed. The report is by Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian organization based in Arizona. Opponents of Proposition Five are using the report to say the ordinance would force people to ignore their religious beliefs. But one attorney says that's not true. The issue of equal rights for gay and transgender people in Anchorage will make its way to the voting booth on April 3. With Proposition Five weeks away from being decided, the new report is saying the ordinance will force people and their businesses to violate their religious conscience. “People will understand that there is a lot more to it than just equal access,” said Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council. “I'm not sure how extreme it is to say that a church in New Jersey, Ocean Grove Camp Association, had to perform a same sex ceremony in their facility.” Labor and employment attorney Tom Daniel says Proposition Five wouldn't apply to churches or church schools. “It doesn't violate their religion because they are still free to practice their religion as they want too,” said Daniel. But it’s business Minnery is talking about. “[Like] bed and breakfast owners, counselors who feel that they would have to provide counseling to gay and lesbian couple.” “It might affect people who have strongly religious views against homosexuality but when you engage in business you have to operate by the rules of the society,” said Daniel. Minnery says the battle is about legislating morality without real proof of discrimination. “A good percentage of that is people who felt as though they might not get a promotion if they came out of the closet… Well, feeling like you might be denied a promotion because you’re homosexual or [a] transgender person is different than actually being discriminated against and not having that job offered.” St. Mary’s Episcopal Church pastor Michael Burke says there is proof. “I think from his perspective he's not aware of these cases, he doesn't see them… If I was gay or lesbian and I was being discriminated in my housing, I wouldn't call Jim up and tell him.” Burke is part of the more than 45 Christian pastors in Anchorage who support Proposition Five. He says it boils down to putting everyone on the same playing field. “Discrimination and unfair treatment is never loving, we should have the religious liberty to do the best for our fellow citizens.” The final decision is in the hands of voters on April 3. Minnery says he has asked the One Anchorage group to debate the issue. Pastor Burke, who is part of Christians For Equality, says they can't have a meaningful one using just soundbites. In the meantime Christians For Equality is holding a call for prayer and action Friday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
|
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Mike J. said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 2:18 PM
"when you engage in business you have to operate by the rules of the society,” said Daniel" "It doesn't violate their religion because they are still free to practice their religion as they want too,” said Daniel" Oh really? Newflash: People practice religion and religious beliefs daily in their lives outside of the 4 walls of the church.
82743851Heather McChesney said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 3:08 PM
If it is allowed for people not to participate for religious reasons, why is that ok? Why do their beliefs get to usurp someone elses? What is wrong with everyone being on a level playing ground. What is everyone scared of?
82749233Martin Eldred said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 3:18 PM
Almost everything out of Jim Minnery's mouth is either not relevant or just plain incorrect about Proposition 5. If he read the Proposition, then he knows that. That's different than a mere difference of opinion. Thanks to Rev. Burke for actually speaking the truth in love.
82750245Move the Mountain Ministries... Kathleen Tonn said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 3:57 PM
I would like to address the 45 “Christian Pastors” who support Proposition 5. In Mark 12:3-31, Jesus summarizes the fulfillment of the law and the prophets by stating that one should love the Lord his/her God with all his/her heart, soul, mind and strength and then love your neighbor as yourself. To love a gay, lesbian or transgendered person with true agape love is what Jesus is expecting; however, the Lord is NOT calling for you to endorse, support or encourage a lifestyle that is counter to the Word of God! You will have to explain yourself at the judgment seat of Christ if you are truly saved! The book of Jeremiah addresses those pastors who destroy the flock, Jeremiah 12:12, 23:1-2. I wonder do you recognize yourself in these scriptures?
82754013Zack W. said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 4:55 PM
Dear Kathleen, I read the verses you referred to and I do wonder as you said, "do you recognize yourself in these scriptures?" In Jeremiah God is displeased with them because they did not teach with love, but "harshly and brutally." Love is not tolerance, it is acceptance. God does not love you because he "tolerates" you. He loves you because he accepts you. Being gay is not a lifestyle. Your lifestyle is a choice, you choose how you want to live. Being gay however is not a choice and many scientists, people of faith, and of course LGBT people can tell you that. I can go head to head, toe to toe, and verse for verse on this issue and prove that it is your christian and moral obligation to support it. While you are struggling with your reasons for your discrimination I suggest you look at 1Co 5:12 so you dont hurt any one else along your journey to the truth. God said himself that he is genderless, and so to are our spirits for we are made in the image of God. There is no LGBT only Love
82759354Move the Mountain Ministries...Kathleen Tonn said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 5:03 PM
I maintain my stance regardless of your remarks..period!
82760116Lluna said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 5:16 PM
Move the Mountain Ministries... Kathleen Tonn said today at 2:57 PM I would like to address the 45 “Christian Pastors” who support Proposition 5. In Mark 12:3-31, Jesus summarizes the fulfillment of the law and the prophets by stating that one should love the Lord his/her God with all his/her heart, soul, mind and strength and then love your neighbor as yourself. To love a gay, lesbian or transgendered person with true agape love is what Jesus is expecting; however, the Lord is NOT calling for you to endorse, support or encourage a lifestyle that is counter to the Word of God! You will have to explain yourself at the judgment seat of Christ if you are truly saved! The book of Jeremiah addresses those pastors who destroy the flock, Jeremiah 12:12, 23:1-2. I wonder do you recognize yourself in these scriptures?"".. their called pseudo Christians or aka fake Christians, and there is alot in this world including peevo
82761444Zack W. said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 6:23 PM
Maintain your stance for that is what its is, YOUR stance. I however stand by the love of Christ and his teachings. What fruits does your hatred bring forth? None! Can you not see the plank in your own eye? There's people out there that do not enjoy the same protections under the law that you so take for granted. If you are so righteous that you see fit to condemn a man and deny him protection then please be the first to cast the stone! You are no better than anyone for all are dust before God. God is love, and what part of denying some one their rights is loving? Either you believe God is love, or you believe he's a liar. Question society, the world, yourself, and your faith For it is through your questions that you find your answers.
82767332Lluna said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 6:51 PM
Zack W. said today at 3:55 PM 'Being gay however is not a choice' yeah its a mental thing, so whats your point?, because it dam sure isnt a "gay gene", but im sure you will say different.. . "and many scientists" only gay ones "people of faith" again only gay ones and fake christian.. and oh , im not a christian. . "and of course LGBT people can tell you that." lol they will pretty much say anything to push their gay BS on others..
82769624Lluna said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 6:53 PM
Zack W. said today at 5:23 PM Maintain your stance for that is what its is, YOUR stance... . . yeah as if your better then her by pushing your BS huh?.
82769811Zack W. said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 7:49 PM
I'm not pushing my BS at her. I am simply making her eat her own BS that she is feeding other people. Telling some one that they are not worth anything is damaging and dehumanizing, if you want to use your faith to harm some one then I'll use mine to say back the hell off. Just because you tell a bully or criminal to stop hurting people doesn't mean you think your better than them, it means your standing up for what is right. I'd sooner be kept on life support and tortured for the remainder of my years than stand by while some one is hurting another person. Everyone has the right to religious freedom, but no one has the right to shove it down others throats. Hate all you want but keep it in your church where it won't hurt some one. Have your beliefs, but do not force them onto people. If standing by those who are persecuted is considered "forcing my beliefs" then forcing them I will. I will not budge in the face of injustice. EVERYONE deserves the right to feel safe and happy.
82774502Lluna said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 10:07 PM
LMAO.. zach w your a typical libTURD/demonRAT gay person that refuse to see that you yourself are a bully and that makes you as pathetic as her, but im sure as i said already your going to defend your BS because now its "PC" to put others that don't want your gay life style around them down, and that's what people don't get, that new law will give mean spirited gay people like yourself to sue anyone that you "THINK" or "assume" they denied you something..funny how your calling people haters but refuse to look at yourself..
82782794John Christopher Sunol said on Friday, Mar 2 at 2:42 AM
To take away someones personaly beleifs is wrong and if they beleive Homoesexcuality is sin in their bele4ifs so be it, let it be so To do so in the name of discrimination and/io villification is not only wrong but taking away someones freedom of thought and religion
82791484Zach W. said on Friday, Mar 2 at 2:55 PM
whoa so much hate in a little paragraph. I don't even know where your coming from any more. You defend someone and then call them pathetic. I get that its important to protect religion. No one is asking that you give up your religion. But this isn't the country of Christians, its a country of free people with many beliefs all of which should be respected and protected. This law isn't giving "special rights" to people, its giving Equal rights to everyone. When women gained their rights it wasn't special treatment it was equal treatment. Same went for Blacks when they got their rights. Sure there are people that try to take advantage of our laws, hell I can think of a few women and black people who have "assumed they denied you something." that is why we have investigations. This isn't the start of America other people besides the privileged White people get to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
82863635Strongarm said on Friday, Mar 2 at 9:10 PM
The churches are not forced to treat everyone equally. They are only forced to if they want to keep tax exemption. Its only right if everyone pays, everyone should be respected.
82892064Markus said on Friday, Mar 2 at 9:14 PM
If you dont want to support homosexuals, dont accept the tax exemption. There, all is solved!
82892233Anonymous said on Sunday, Mar 4 at 11:48 AM
This isn't about putting everyone on a level playing field - its about creating a special, protected class of people. All the media hype and spinning won't change the reality....and if we're creating special protected classes, I want one for small business owners trying to keep their employees' families fed in this era of federal discrimination against the small guy.
83003514Lynn said on Sunday, Mar 4 at 9:51 PM
I honestly and truly cannot believe this issue is even being debated in this day and age! Due to the fact that people have biases against others those individuals need protection against them. This is how our American society operates, thank goodness for those laws.
83038384Allan: ADF & Alaska "Family" Council Are Bona Fide Hate Groups Like The KKK said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 7:00 PM
Both of the groups citing this proven-phony "study" are hate groups, specifically listed by the ACLU as such, just as the KKK is. There is a reason for that besides you Republican neoChristian het supremacists being oh-so-religious in your on-again, off-again self-centered "beliefs". It's because those groups, with organization and with the free money they take away from the workers and businesses of the USA, untaxed, unaccounted for, unreported cash, and they continue to spout damaging LIES about other people, knowing they are lies, in order to harm the attitude of Americans toward the equal rights of those people. Quite similar to the descriptions of Jewish people in those little comics, etc., that were so filthy in their anti-Semitic caricatures; which formed the basis for the creation of the ACLU, along with blacks in America, who you might say were not being discriminated against because you're narrow-sighted and don't let yourself see it for yourself. You'd get the same response.
86572114Add a comment
Most Popular