A Salina minister is encourging other Salina ministers to support the proposed changes in the city code to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in issues of discrimination in housing, public accomodations and employment based on an issue of justice, not a moral issue.
KINA Radio/Salina Post obtained a cover letter sent to members of the clergy in Salina and a letter that is to be sent to members of the city commission as well as an advertisement to be placed in the Salina Journal before the City Commission votes on May 14th.
The following is the cover letter sent to members of the Salina Clergy:
As you may be well aware that the City Council will make a decision on May 14th on the petition to include the LGBT community on the City Code, Chapter 13, Article 2. The Human Relations committee held three public meetings and received 9 hours of testimony. 67% were in favor of protecting the rights of this community in relationship to public housing, public accommodations, and employment. This committee voted 7 to 0 to approve this petition and sent their recommendation back to the City Council.
Subsequently, 25 pastors of conservative persuasions wrote a letter to each City Commissioner stating that this is a moral issue, and because homosexuality is a choice, they have abdicated their rights of citizenship.
There are those pastors among us who do not agree that this is a moral issue. Instead it is a justice issue. When we stand to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, we close by affirming, “. . . with liberty and justice FOR ALL.” The question remains, when we say all, do we mean ALL?
This neither denies nor affirms anything about homosexuality. This is for the protection of their civil rights.
I have attached a letter forged by a local committee and written by Barry Dundas that places this as a justice issue. Please read it and carefully pray about your participation in this community concern.
In the next 10 days the plan is to send each City Commissioner this letter, and then a copy of it will become an ad as an Open Letter to the City Commission. Your name is a vital demonstration in the community that places this social issue in its proper context.
I look forward to seeing your reply .
Thank you for this consideration.
Inner Peace,
Pastor William Salmon
On behalf of Pastor Barry Dundas
Trinity United Methodist Church
AN OPEN LETTER
To the Commissioners of the City Council:
GREETINGS!
In the third chapter of the book of Exodus we hear the story of Moses’ encounter with
God through a bush that was on fire but not consumed. In verse seven God says to
Moses, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry
on account of their taskmasters. Indeed I know their sufferings, and I have come down to
deliver them from the Egyptians.” It is a powerful beginning to one of the greatest stories
in the Bible. Moses learns that he serves a God who cares about the least of these, who
hears the cries of the oppressed and who calls for his followers to seek justice.
We have heard many good people speak to the issues surrounding the addition of the
LGBT community as a protected class onto the city code chapter 13, article 2. We
understand that the Salina community is not of one mind on the issues surrounding
homosexuality and homosexual behavior. After listening closely to the discussions, we
have come to the following conclusions.
· We believe the decision facing the city council is not one of morality but of justice.
· We have heard the cries of our LGBT brothers and sisters and we are aware of their
sufferings.
· Therefore we cannot keep silent.
We serve a God who loves all and has a heart for the oppressed and marginalized. We live
in a country which publicly proclaims liberty and justice for all. We believe it is time to live
what we believe.
As pastors serving in the Salina community, we encourage the City Council to accept the
majority recommendation of the Human Relations Committee to protect what appear to
be the last remaining citizens who do not have recourse to address their grievances
experienced in their “employment, public accommodations or housing inside the city
limits.”
Respectfully submitted,
Pastors please note that your name will not be associated with your church. Please return
this message/letter with your signature attached indicating your permission to use your
name BOTH on the letter to each City Commissioner and in the Letter/Ad in the Salina
Journal.