From Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Who among us doesn’t want to support religious freedom? This argument seems to be the tactic of some arch-conservative lawmakers, who have convinced our Arizona legislators that it is fine to deny people basic human rights under the guise of religious freedom. Lawmakers in other states and members of both political parties have been astute enough to see what bills like this really are – a wolf in sheep’s clothing that masks discrimination under a venue of piety. Arizona, however, with its propensity for making itself into the political laughing-stock of the nation, has been duped once again. One can only pray that our Governor will, as the Arizona Republic said this morning, “get out her veto pen.”

I must admit that I wasn’t aware of the details of the State Senate’s action yesterday, but I was immediately aware of the pain that this bill has caused, not only to our own LBGT community in Arizona, but also around the country. Fortunately, Dean Troy Mendez of Trinity Cathedral has been following this issue more closely, and so I asked him to join me in writing about it today. Our E-pistle is thus a bit longer than usual, but we wanted to give you the back ground that will help you convince the Governor that true religious freedom means, as our Prayer Book so clearly states, “respecting the dignity of every human being.”
______________________________________________________

Proclaiming the Gospel of Peace, by The Very Rev. Troy Mendez

As Christians, we’re called to be peacemakers in the world. But sometimes we face unexpected challenges, and scripture helps us find our center, our peace. Paul’s letter to the Romans calls us ever closer to this peaceful center when he writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free…for those who walk [now] not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” And in that Spirit, Paul says, we find “life and peace.” (Romans 8:1-2a, 4, 6).

The Episcopal Church has heard this call from scripture to live into our common life with the Holy Spirit, and as recently as the 2012 General Convention in Indianapolis affirmed resolution D019, which states and reaffirms Title I, Canon 17, Section 5: “No one shall be denied rights, status or access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by Canons.” As a former Presiding Bishop Browning said in 1986, “there will be no outcasts in this church.”

No Outcasts. Period. We are fortunate that we have collaborated, prayed, argued, and listened to scripture, tradition, and reason to discern our church’s guidance by the Holy Spirit. However, the majority leadership in the Arizona State Legislature has recently diverted attention from our state’s economy, educational systems and overall well-being, and instead has put forward two articles of legislation (SB1062/HB2153) that will most likely be sent to Governor Brewer’s office for her signature. The intent of this legislation runs contrary to not only our church’s canons, but also to Holy Scripture itself:  the legislation intends to allow people to discriminate on the grounds of their religious beliefs and practices. Individuals and entities will be able to determine who in society is “religiously righteous” or not. (A more detailed description of the legislation is below.)

If we are followers of Jesus, then we must use this time as a call to recognize all the victims of this potentially harmful legislation. Who around you might be shut out from fully participating in society? How might this legislation prohibit the church from exercising ministry in the best ways we see fit? If we’re promising in the Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” how might this newly enacted legislation fly in the face of what we’ve promised? Where is the church’s presence of peace in all of this?

Arizona Episcopalians, now is time for us to be peacemakers. The Holy Spirit promises to lead us, if we open our hearts, into the fullest life and peace imaginable. Being a Christian means we are asked as a community to follow Jesus to proclaim Good News to the people in the state legislature who seem to be walking in darkness. How do we help them see the great light – the reconciling love and deep peace of Jesus Christ for all people?

Some details about SB1062/HB2153*

What is being proposed?  Actually, several things are being proposed in this bill, including the following:

a)           Enables Discrimination based on “sincerely held beliefs.” The bill expands the term “exercise of religion” to include elements of practice and tacit “observance” of the religion (i.e., enacted beliefs). A person’s “religious practice and liberty” could be used under this bill as an excuse to deny people fair housing, job opportunities, and any kind of equal protection under the law. The framework of the bill is state-sanctioned discrimination.

b)           Expands the legal definition of personhood. In the current legislation, a “person” by definition becomes any and all entities, including “any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church, estate, trust, foundation, or other legal entity. Personal morals could therefore apply to the way commerce is conducted, theoretically denying access or services to another group, under the grounds that offering them would be religiously reprehensible.

c)           Overrides any municipal non-discrimination legislation. The ordinances of local governments would be subject to the state’s legislation, thereby nullifying the will of the people of a community, including recent legislation passed in the City of Phoenix about a year ago.

Who will be hurt?  In reality, the legislation is targeted towards members of the GLBT community, but women, people of color, non-Christians and anyone who falls out of favor with any religious group for any reason could theoretically be hurt. Anna Tovar, the Senate Minority Leader released a statement saying, “With the express consent of the legislature, many Arizonans will find themselves….separate and unequal under the law.” For example, if it’s against your religion for women to cut their hair, you could, as a business entity, refuse service to women who cut their hair. You could also legally hide behind your religious convictions to deny people fair housing, job opportunities, and any kind of equal protection under the law. On grounds of any religious idea or practice, this statue says other anti-discrimination laws do not apply.

How are we as Christians a catalyst for healing?  At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to go out into all the world and make disciples of all nations, and Jesus promises to be with them in their ministry, to the end of the age. We call this the Great Commission – to make disciples in the name of Christ, by bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to letting the oppressed go free, and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor.

Jesus sends the presence of the Holy Spirit to be with us to guide us into new territory. Prayer, discernment, and commitment to community are required to proceed into this new territory. Dialogue is essential, and we cannot rest until all of God’s children are included as full-members of society. Not some. All.

We have all made a covenant in Baptism to uphold one another in our life in Christ. Now is the time to live more fully into our call, and join with all brothers and sisters who are being shut out. As Christians, we must walk with Jesus, and follow him into the midst of this situation, proclaiming peace, justice, and God’s never-failing mercy.

*Special thanks to Grant Miller for his help in compiling material for this summary.