Liberal View of New Hate Crimes Legislation

For those following the new hate crimes legislation signed by President Obama that expands past federal hate crime laws to make it an offense to attack people because of their sexual orientation, here is an opinion piece in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch by Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Connell that gives a great summary of a liberal or progressive view of this new law and the values of equality and liberty that underpin it.

Some regard the recent law as a success for supporting and affirming the freedom and equality of every person in America, while others see it as having the potential of inhibiting religious speech (even though the law explicitly states that no one can be prosecuted for their belief-system or speech, only actions of violence and hate towards people due to their sexual orientation). As a Christian, my value system is one that rigorously affirms and seeks to enact in relationships and society the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. Most Americans (though, sadly, not all) don't put up with hate crimes against people because of their race, ethnicity, gender, or religion, so why should we also put up with hate crimes against those due to their sexual orientation?

Read Rev. Dr. O'Connell's op ed piece in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Faith in Public Life.

Episcopal Church to Affirm Gay Clergy

"The Episcopal Church moved Monday toward affirming their acceptance of gays and lesbians for all roles in ministry, despite pressure from fellow Anglicans worldwide for a decisive moratorium on consecrating another openly gay bishop." (AP)

Bishops at the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, CA voted 99-45 for a statement declaring that God calls gay and lesbian people into ministry. Lay and ordained delegates to the meeting had approved a similar statement.

Certain forces within the Anglican Communion have been pushing Episcopalians to retract their support for gays and lesbians since 2003, when the U.S. denomination consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

This issue will likely split the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, but it is important for Episcopalian individuals and communities to stand up for LGBT rights and affirm the equality of all persons as created by God as God's children. As such, ministerial ordination as representatives leading people's lives toward right relationship with God in Christ should not be a matter of sexual orientation but one's values, commitment, and character.

Rachel Zoll of the Associated Press has the story.