Great Plains Conference Media Release distributed Monday, 17 February 2014

Great Plains Conference Media Release distributed Monday, 17 February 2014:
Bishop Scott Jones speaks out against discrimination
Letter from United Methodist bishop denounces HB 2453
In a letter addressed to Kanas Senate President Susan Wagle, Bishop Scott Jones, bishop of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference, suggests that House Bill 2453 be killed, as to not legitimize discrimination against gay and lesbian individuals.
House Bill 2453 seeks to allow public or private employees to refuse service based on religious views about marriage. In his letter, Bishop Jones, commends Senator Wagle’s statement expressing her concerns about the measure.
“It is hard to imagine how this bill can have a compromise that still gives equal protection of the law to all persons in our state,” said Bishop Jones in the letter. “We Kansans helped end slavery and segregation — we do not need to legalize discrimination.”
Bishop Jones went on to mention that the debate seemed to be missing the fact that Kansas is more religiously diverse than in the past. Giving legal license to any religious opinions opens the door to several possible actions.
“I believe that House Bill 2453 represents values that are un-American, un-Kansan and un-Christian,” said Bishop Jones in closing. “Please do whatever you can to make sure that no further action is taken in this matter.”
House Bill 2453 passed the House on Feb. 12, with a 72-49 vote. Supporters of the measure say the intention was to protect religious liberty. Opponents say the bill’s wording allows it to have a much broader ramifications than what the House considered during two full days of hearings preceding the vote. Wagle said the bill goes beyond protecting religious freedom and potentially discriminates against the LGBT community. Wagle raised concerns about how the bill could affect the business community. The Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senate Vice President Jeff King of Independence, Kan., will make the final decision whether to consider a modified version of the bill or kill it.
Read this news on the Great Plains:
Bishop Scott Jones speaks out against discrimination
In a letter addressed to Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, Bishop Scott Jones, bishop of the Great Plains United Methodist Conference, suggests that House Bill 2453 be killed, as to not legitimize discrimination against gay and lesbian individuals.
House Bill 2453 seeks to allow public or private employees to refuse service based on religious views about marriage. In his letter, Bishop Jones, commends Senator Wagle’s statement expressing her concerns about the measure.
“It is hard to imagine how this bill can have a compromise that still gives equal protection of the law to all persons in our state,” said Bishop Jones in the letter. “We Kansans helped end slavery and segregation — we do not need to legalize discrimination.”
Bishop Jones went on to mention that the debate seemed to be missing the fact that Kansas is more religiously diverse than in the past. Giving legal license to any religious opinions opens the door to several possible actions.
“I believe that House Bill 2453 represents values that are un-American, un-Kansan and un-Christian,” said Bishop Jones in closing. “Please do whatever you can to make sure that no further action is taken in this matter.”
House Bill 2453 passed the House on Feb. 12, with a 72-49 vote. Supporters of the measure say the intention was to protect religious liberty. Opponents say the bill’s wording allows it to have a much broader ramifications than what the House considered during two full days of hearings preceding the vote. Wagle said the bill goes beyond protecting religious freedom and potentially discriminates against the LGBT community. Wagle raised concerns about how the bill could affect the business community. The Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senate Vice President Jeff King of Independence, Kan., will make the final decision whether to consider a modified version of the bill or kill it.
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Media Contact: 
Cindy Kelly, communications coordinator for Great Plains United Methodist Conference
1 (866) 915-3638
ckelly@greatplainsumc.org
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