PETITION TO THE IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
Against the law to preach the Bible?
victory
Against the law to preach the Bible?
In Iowa, it’s now against the law to preach the Bible, at least according to the Civil Rights Commission. The commission is stretching a state code to ban churches from teaching on biblical sexuality and to force the churches to open restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex. The commission reasons that since churches are places of public accommodation, they cannot “discriminate” against anyone on the basis of sexual orientation.
This is absurd and unconscionable. Our culture has become so obsessed with sex, that we are losing our fundamental principles. America was founded on the principles of freedom—particularly freedom of religion. Please stand with us in fighting back against the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
We cannot allow the State of Iowa a to muzzle people of faith and force us into silence. This is an issue of critical importance. We must stand together to make our voice heard and our strength felt.
The Civil Rights Commission has interpreted Chapter 216 of the Iowa Code to mean that if a pastor discusses anything in the Bible that relates to sexuality or marriage, he has broken the law.
Cary Gordon is the pastor of Cornerstone World Outreach, a nondenominational church with around 900 members in Sioux City, Iowa. He says his greatest concern is the “flagrant disrespect for the First Amendment of the Constitution.” Under this interpretation of the code, “the state retains the power to correct or control what I say and teach out of the Bible.”
“It’s fundamentally wrong and I can’t comply with that,” Gordon said. “I’ve taken an oath to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I obey the Bible above all men. … I have to obey God, and that puts me in a precarious position.”
As Christians, we need to show that we will not quietly abdicate our freedoms. The right to religious liberty is ingrained in the very fabric of our nation. The ability to faithfully preach the word of God must be protected. Please stand with us in pushing back against this attempt to silence the church from discussing the biblical context for sexuality. Rally your church, your family, and your neighbors: this is something we all can, and must, resist.
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All pastors to preach!
Dear Iowa Civil Rights Commission,
It has come to my attention that you are interpreting Chapter 216 of the Iowa Code to mean that if a pastor preaches moral contexts for sex or marriage found in the Bible, he has broken the law. You say this is because churches are places of public accommodation, but you don’t recognize that they are religious in nature and protected by religious liberty!
We respectfully ask that you reconsider this decision. The First Amendment of the Constitution clearly protects our ability to practice our faith as we see fit. Biblical teachings on sexuality are a key aspect of what we believe.
As Christians, we do not want to discriminate against anyone and, in fact, welcome everyone to our churches! Individuals who experience same-sex attraction are welcome and wanted in congregations. However, we do preach against sin. And we believe that all sex outside of the marriage between one man and one woman is immoral and contrary to the Bible. We should be able to hear sermons consistent with our biblical beliefs!
Please consider revising your position in favor of diversity and tolerance. Our religious beliefs should also be tolerated in this pluralistic society.
All pastors to preach!
Dear Iowa Civil Rights Commission,
It has come to my attention that you are interpreting Chapter 216 of the Iowa Code to mean that if a pastor preaches moral contexts for sex or marriage found in the Bible, he has broken the law. You say this is because churches are places of public accommodation, but you don’t recognize that they are religious in nature and protected by religious liberty!
We respectfully ask that you reconsider this decision. The First Amendment of the Constitution clearly protects our ability to practice our faith as we see fit. Biblical teachings on sexuality are a key aspect of what we believe.
As Christians, we do not want to discriminate against anyone and, in fact, welcome everyone to our churches! Individuals who experience same-sex attraction are welcome and wanted in congregations. However, we do preach against sin. And we believe that all sex outside of the marriage between one man and one woman is immoral and contrary to the Bible. We should be able to hear sermons consistent with our biblical beliefs!
Please consider revising your position in favor of diversity and tolerance. Our religious beliefs should also be tolerated in this pluralistic society.
