Anti-homosexual petition sends wrong message

Sunday, June 19, 2005

The Legislature recently passed a bill outlawing discrimination against homosexuals in matters of housing, education, employment and credit. We also all know that there is a petition drive -- spearheaded by evangelical Christians -- to force this new law to a referendum and thus overturn it.

The petition makes my heart heavy. To sign this petition -- to overturn this law -- is to agree that it is acceptable to discriminate against a particular group of people, people for whom Christ died. I do not want to believe that this is what my brothers and sisters believe in their hearts, or that it is a message they want to send to those who don't know Christ.

The law is not a validation of homosexuality. It is not a validation of same-sex marriage (currently illegal in Maine). It is an invalidation of discrimination. Should those other matters come up for consideration, we have the blessed freedom to vote against them if we choose.

We are also free, under the First Amendment, to continue to express our beliefs, informed by Scripture, concerning sexual sin, murder, theft and hatred. This law does nothing to restrain that freedom.

Let us, then, send this message to the gay community: "Jesus loves you. And because he does, we also love you and will endeavor to treat you fairly, no matter the circumstances of your personal life."

Chad Thorne

East Pittston

cftIII@gmail.com