{"slice_names":["facebook_like","facebook","twitter","linkedin","email","comments"],"slice_params":{"facebook_like":[],"facebook":{"share_amount":"1213"},"twitter":{"short_url":"http:\/\/huff.to\/1qSlXjW","tweet_text":"Faith Leaders Oppose Religious Exemption From LGBT Non-Discrimination","views_amount":"34"},"linkedin":{"linkedin_amount":"2"},"email":{"emails_amount":"19","emails_title":"Faith Leaders Sign Letter Opposing Religious Exemption For LGBT Hiring Non-Discrimination","emails_text":"More than one hundred faith leaders sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday asking that he remove a religious exemption from his upcoming executive order banning hiring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity among federal contractors.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs people of faith, we should be exemplary and not exempted,\u201d Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary, said in a press release sent to The Huffington Post. \u201cJesus came to protect the most vulnerable. The faith community that taught me never to throw stones should not have special permission from the White House to throw stones. It is simply theologically indefensible.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe letter arrived at the White House exactly a week after 14 faith leaders -- including several of the president's close advisors -- delivered a letter urging Obama to include the debated exemption<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\"We must find a way to respect diversity of opinion,\u201d the letter stated.\r\n\r\n
\u201cAn executive order that does not include a religious exemption will significantly and substantively hamper the work of some religious organizations that are best equipped to serve in common purpose with the federal government. When the capacity of religious organizations is limited, the common good suffers.\u201d<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\nTuesday's letter, however, rejected the notion that religious exemption could respect diversity while still upholding equal rights. \r\n\r\n\u201cThose of us who are old enough to remember hearing religious arguments for segregation know that just because an argument is based on religious tradition doesn't mean it's just or good,\u201d Rev. Brian McLaren said in the press release. \u201cThat's why so many of us who believe in religious liberty don't want religious liberty used as a smokescreen to aid, abet, and protect prejudice.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe letter was signed by five seminary presidents, four former members of the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and five members of a presidential taskforce to reform the office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, as well as heads of nonprofits, denomination leaders, scholars and theologians. \r\n\r\nRead the full letter and list of signers below:\r\n\r\n
Dear Mr. President,\r\n\r\nAs faith and civic leaders dedicated to affirming the sacred dignity and equal worth of every person, we are grateful for your upcoming executive order ending discrimination against LGBT people in hiring by federal contractors. We urge you not to include a religious exemption in the executive order. In keeping with the principle that our government must adhere to the highest standards of ethics and fairness in its own operations, we believe that public dollars should not be used to sanction discrimination.\r\n\r\nWe recognize in others, and have ourselves heard, a faithful calling to contribute to our communities and country through public service. The imperative to seek healing and justice is one of the most widely shared values across religious traditions and our world is better because of it.\r\n\r\nIn our democratic nation, we believe that public service\u2014especially when it is directly supported by the federal government and our tax dollars\u2014must be aligned with the Constitutional principle that all people deserve equal treatment under the law. Requiring all federal contractors to operate according to the same set of non-discriminatory hiring practices is more than fair; it is a critical safeguard that protects all parties. If contractors were allowed to selectively follow employment or other laws according to their religious beliefs, we would quickly create an untenable morass of legal disputes. Furthermore, if selective exemptions to the executive order were permitted, the people who would suffer most would be the people who always suffer most when discrimination is allowed: the individuals and communities that are already marginalized. Increasing the obstacles faced by those at the margins is precisely the opposite of what public service can and should do, and is precisely the opposite of the values we stand for as people of faith.\r\n\r\nIn a nation as diverse as the United States of America, it is critical that the federal government be trusted to follow\u2014and indeed, to role-model\u2014equitable employment practices. We believe that our mutual commitment to the common good is best served by policies that prohibit discrimination based on factors that have no relationship whatsoever to job performance. We are better and stronger as a nation when hiring decisions are made based on professional merit rather than personal identity.\r\n\r\nAn executive order that allows for religious discrimination against LGBT people contradicts the order\u2019s fundamental purpose, as well as the belief shared by more and more Americans every day, which is that LGBT people should not be treated as second-class citizens. An exception would set a terrible precedent by denying true equality for LGBT people, while simultaneously opening a Pandora\u2019s Box inviting other forms of discrimination.\r\n\r\nIn addition to protecting current and potential employees, we believe ensuring that federal contractors do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in their hiring helps to reduce the likelihood that these contractors will discriminate against clients or other parties in the provision of services. If contractors are free to discriminate in their hiring, it is at least plausible, if not probable, to conclude that clients will experience discrimination as well. We believe that the best way to eliminate discrimination at one level is to reduce discrimination at all levels.\r\n\r\nWe are a pluralistic nation\u2014one that is among the most religiously diverse and devout in the world. Each day we continue to make progress on our journey toward \u201ca more perfect union,\u201d in which all God\u2019s children are treated with fairness and dignity. Many forces help spur this progress. They include the courage of everyday people who live openly as who they truly are; the witness of faith leaders who provide a compass for religious growth; the commitment of political leaders such as yourself who help guide our nation toward a more just path; and the passage of laws and policies that ensure fair treatment for all people.\r\n\r\nIn conclusion, Mr. President, we believe that the path to national unity lies in affirming the full equality and potential of every person. In the spirit of equality, fairness, and justice, we urge you to issue an executive order that ends discrimination against LGBT people in federal contracting without exceptions.\r\n\r\nIn Faith,\r\n\r\nImam Daayiee Abdullah\r\nLight of Reform Mosque, Washington, DC\r\n\r\nRabbi Jonathan Adland\r\nClergy Advocacy Board, Planned Parenthood Federation of America\r\n\r\nDr. Michael J. Adee\r\nDirector, Global Faith and Justice Project\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Susan R. Andrews\r\nModerator of the 215th General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Jim Antal\r\nMinister and President, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Ed Bacon\r\nRector, All Saints Church, Pasadena\r\n \r\nKaren Barr\r\nModerator, GLAD Alliance, Inc.\r\n \r\nThe Most Rev. Craig Bergland\r\nPresiding Bishop, Universal Anglican Church\r\n \r\nMatthew Berryman\r\nExecutive Director, Reconciling Ministries Network\r\n \r\nRev. Geoffrey Black\r\nGeneral Minister and President, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRabbi Richard Block\r\nPresident, Central Conference of American Rabbis\r\n \r\nRabbi Sharon Brous\r\nFounding Rabbi, IKAR, Los Angeles\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock\r\nDirector, Soul Repair Center, Brite Divinity School\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Ken Brooker-Langston\r\nExecutive Director, Disciples Center for Public Witness\r\n \r\nRev. Pat Bumgardner\r\nExecutive Director, Global Justice Institute, Metropolitan Community Churches\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Marjorie L. Coons-Torn\r\nConference Minister, Penn Central Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nStosh Cotler\r\nChief Executive Officer, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice\r\n \r\nRev. Richard W. Cowles, Jr.\r\nInterim Conference Minister, Maine Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree\r\nInterim Conference Minister, Florida Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nAnn Craig, M.Div.\r\nDirector of Administration, The Fellowship Global\r\n \r\nRev. Jennifer D. Crumpton\r\nPark Avenue Christian Church, New York City\r\n \r\nRev. Fred Davie\r\nExecutive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York\r\n \r\nFrancis DeBernardo\r\nExecutive Director, New Ways Ministry\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. John Deckenback\r\nConference Minister, Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre\r\nProfessor of Social Ethics and Latino\/a Studies, Iliff School of Theology\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer\r\nConference Minister, Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nMarianne Duddy-Burke\r\nExecutive Director, DignityUSA\r\n \r\nRev. Roddy Dunkerson\r\nConference Minister, Nebraska Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Beverley F. Edwards\r\nInterim Conference Minister, Rhode Island Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRabbi Denise Eger\r\nSenior Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami, West Hollywood\r\n \r\nRev. Brian D. Ellison\r\nExecutive Director, Covenant Network of Presbyterians\r\n\r\nRabbi Marla J. Feldman\r\nExecutive Director, Women of Reform Judaism\r\n \r\nJim FitzGerald\r\nExecutive Director, Call To Action\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Allen Fluent\r\nActing Conference Minister, Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Yvette Flunder\r\nPresiding Bishop, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries\r\n \r\nRabbi Steve Fox\r\nChief Executive Officer, Central Conference of American Rabbis\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy\r\nPresident, Interfaith Alliance\r\n \r\nRev. David R. Gaewski\r\nConference Minister, New York Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nSister Jeannine Gramick, SL\r\nExecutive Coordinator, National Coalition of American Nuns\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Galen Guengerich\r\nSenior Pastor, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, New York City\r\n \r\nDr. Edith Guffey\r\nConference Minister, Kansas and Oklahoma Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nRev. Debra W. Haffner\r\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Religious Institute\r\n \r\nThe Very Reverend Gary R. Hall\r\nDean, Washington National Cathedral\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Katharine Henderson\r\nPresident, Auburn Theological Seminary\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Alice Hunt\r\nPresident, Chicago Theological Seminary\r\n \r\nDr. Mary E. Hunt\r\nWomen's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER)\r\n \r\nRabbi Rick Jacobs\r\nPresident, Union for Reform Judaism\r\n \r\nRev. M. Linda Jaramillo\r\nExecutive Minister, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries\r\n\r\nRev. Jay Emerson Johnson, Ph.D.\r\nSenior Director, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, Pacific School of Religion\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Serene Jones \r\nPresident, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York\r\n \r\nSenior Bishop Zachary G. Jones\r\nUnity Fellowship Church Movement\r\n \r\nNancy K. Kaufman\r\nChief Executive Officer, National Council of Jewish Women\r\n \r\nRev. Rob Keithan\r\nDirector of Public Policy, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice\r\n \r\nFrances Kissling\r\nPresident, Center for Health, Ethics and Social Policy\r\n \r\nIdit Klein\r\nExecutive Director, Keshet\r\n \r\nRabbi Sharon Kleinbaum\r\nSenior Rabbi, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, New York City\r\n \r\nRev. Harry Knox\r\nPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice\r\n \r\nRabbi Debra Kolodny\r\nExecutive Director, Nehirim\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan\r\nPresident, Claremont School of Theology\r\n \r\nAndy Lang\r\nExecutive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nThe Rev. Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis\r\nSenior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church, New York City\r\n \r\nRev. Odette Lockwood-Stewart\r\nDirector of Field Education and Contextual Learning, Pacific School of Religion\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Cindi Love\r\nThe Church of Uncommon Hope, Washington, DC\r\n \r\nRev. Robin R. Lunn\r\nExecutive Director, Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists\r\n \r\nRev. Barry Lynn\r\nExecutive Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State\r\n\r\nRuth W. Messinger\r\nPresident, American Jewish World Service\r\n \r\nJamieAnn Meyers\r\nTransgender Representative and Board Member, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation\r\n \r\nRabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson\r\nBrown University\r\n \r\nRev. Alan C. Miller\r\nConference Minister, Penn Northeast Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nDr. Randall Miller\r\nInterim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean, Pacific School of Religion\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. James L. McDonald\r\nPresident and Professor of Faith and Public Life, San Francisco Theological Seminary\r\n \r\nRev. Brian McLaren\r\nThe Cana Initiative\r\n \r\nRev. Rosemary Bray McNatt\r\nPresident, Starr King School for the Ministry\r\n \r\nAlex Patchin McNeill\r\nExecutive Director, More Light Presbyterians\r\n \r\nRev. Peter Morales\r\nPresident, Unitarian Universalist Association\r\n \r\nRev. Darlene Nipper\r\nDeputy Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force\r\n \r\nJon O\u2019Brien\r\nPresident, Catholics for Choice\r\n \r\nMarilyn Paarlberg\r\nExecutive Director, Room for All, Reformed Church in America\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Rich Pleva\r\nConference Minister, Iowa Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nChett Pritchet\r\nExecutive Director, Methodist Federation for Social Action\r\n \r\nThe Very Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale\r\nPresident and Dean, Episcopal Divinity School\r\n\r\nDr. Hussein Rashid\r\nFounder, islamicate, L3C\r\n\r\nBishop Tonyia M. Rawls\r\nSacred Souls Community Church and the Freedom Center for Social Justice\r\n \r\nRev. Bruce Reyes-Chow\r\nModerator of the 218th General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)\r\n \r\nBishop Gene Robinson\r\nThe Episcopal Church\r\n \r\nRev. Canon Susan Russell\r\nSenior Associate Minister, All Saints Church, Pasadena\r\n \r\nRabbi David Saperstein\r\nDirector and Counsel of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism\r\n \r\nDr. Bernard Schlager\r\nInterim President, Pacific School of Religion\r\n \r\nBishop John Selders\r\nBishop Presider, InterDenominational Conference of Liberation Congregations and Ministries\r\n \r\nRev. Kent Siladi\r\nConference Minister, Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ\r\n \r\nSandy Sorensen\r\nDirector, United Church of Christ, Washington Office\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle\r\nDirector of Field Education and Supervised Ministry, Brite Divinity School\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Jack Sullivan\r\nPresident, Disciples Justice Action Network\r\n \r\nBishop Melvin G. Talbert\r\nThe United Methodist Church\r\n \r\nVivian Taylor\r\nExecutive Director, Integrity USA\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite\r\nProfessor of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary\r\n \r\nPastor Joseph Tolton\r\nExecutive Director, The Fellowship Global\r\n \r\nRev. Dr. Emilie M. Townes\r\nE. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt Divinity School\r\n \r\nRev. John H. Vaughn\r\nExecutive Vice President, Auburn Theological Seminary\r\n \r\nRev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson\r\nModerator, Metropolitan Community Churches\r\n\r\nDeb Word\r\nPresident, Fortunate Families\r\n<\/blockquote>"},"comments":{"comments_amount":53}}}