The following resolution was adopted by the Presbytery of Arkansas at its 128th stated meeting on February 21, 2015.
Whereas Jesus instructs his disciples to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’; and,
Whereas the Presbytery of Arkansas respects the dignity of every human being; and,
Whereas the Presbytery of Arkansas has previously voiced its opposition to the destruction or denial of civil rights based on any prejudice, whether it be based on race, religion, nationality, country of origin, gender or sexuality, and
Whereas we believe religion must never be invoked so as to cloak discrimination;
BE IT RESOLVED
that the Presbytery of Arkansas, at its 128th Stated Meeting, declares its opposition to Arkansas House Bill 1228, allowing discrimination based on religious conviction, particularly intended to target gay, lesbian, and transgender people as well as others; and against Senate Bill 202, barring localities from passing anti-discrimination laws. We ask the Governor to use his power to veto this legislation.
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Huzzah!
As a woman (straight) ordained Minister in the PCUSA, who had to struggle for my ordination in the Norfolk Va Presbytery,(1990’s), because this Presbytery was opposed to obliging the UPC USA (Northern Church) who ordained women by the 1950’s, I am delighted with this progressive movement of inclusiveness. Little did I know that Arkansas Presbyterians had the support for this kind of measure. Share the gospel! Rev. Ms Heather Jordan Khan (retired).
I’m impressed.
As a fellow Presbyterian living in Texas, but a native Arkansan, I am proud of the Presbytery of Arkansas. It takes courage to take a stand, but it needs to be done. Thanks Arkansas Presbyterians!
I can only speak for myself, but our family’s Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran, and Deist grandfathers came to this country to get away from states and countries making laws based on religion. They were fighting this same kind of political pressure even from, and in some instances mainly from, other religions. I am so proud of all groups who have the backbone to take a stand against legislation which denies rights to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It would seem that again, Presbyterians are at the front line of ensuring freedoms for all. Denying rights is unconstitutional, as a result of what those grandfathers and their colonists friends did, along with the ensuing amendments; and it is times like this that bring me to my knees in gratitute to those old farmers. Strong principled men, they knew that Christ never, ever advocated passing laws to force people to follow any of his teachings, irregardless of interpretations or preference of belief; invalidating any one sin by choice is the same as this accused transgression, if as it seems, it boils down to just a list of sins. Gonads, it seems they have, though that is a bit of a crude way to put it; the genteel, quiet types have always turned out to be the strongest, not the hot-heads and self-serving loudmouths. A lot like the feeling one gets about wise, gentle demeanor when reading about the adventures of Christ Jesus.