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City Hearing on Anti-Discrimination Law Generates Religious Arguments

By Howard M. Friedman

The Kalamazoo (MI) Gazette reports on a hearing held last night by a subcommittee of the Kalamazoo City Commission on a proposed ordinance that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Originally City Commission adopted the ordinance in December, but a month later rescinded it pending further consideration, after petitions protesting the law were submitted. Both sides at yesterday's hearing attended by nearly 200 people invoked religious arguments. Opponents said that the ordinance would victimize religious groups and would discriminate against those whose religious beliefs teach that homosexuality is wrong. Supporting the ordinance, Rev. Matthew Laney, pastor of First Congregational Church, said: "We firmly believe these peoples' orientations are fully compatible with the godly life. They are part of God's diverse creation and God does not make mistakes."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 10, 2009 (boomark / email).