Elder
Mendinghall has asked that we forward these notices to you from the Pacific
Union Conference Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty as a way of
endorsing Alan Reinach's efforts to keep us informed. Please share this
information with your congregation and encourage them to support the work of
religious liberty by writing letters and making calls to your local
llegislators.
Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day
Adventist
Department of Public Affairs & Religious
Liberty
June
18, 2002
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE SNEAKS BILL TO REQUIRE STATE
CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS
In an
attempt to sneak an unexpected bill past determined opposition, AB 1080
(Kehoe-D-San Diego) was introduced just last week in the California Assembly to
require all businesses contracting with the State to provide domestic partner
benefits to employees. This violates the sincerely held religious convictions of
numerous contractors, both religious institutions and private businesses. This
would impact all colleges receiving Cal Grants, all hospitals. and a wide range
of other businesses including private social service
providers.
"The
coercion of individual conscience is unprecedented," said Alan J. Reinach, Esq.
Director of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty for the Pacific Union
Conference. "This bill would require countless contractors to violate sincerely
held religious beliefs, or go out of business."
Indeed, the loss of such social services is expected to
have a significant impact on Californians, especially those most in need of such
services.
"The Adventist Church does not oppose state law
providing for the availability of domestic partnerships, or allowing employers
to grant domestic partner benefits," said Dr. Bradford Newton, legislative
affairs director for the Pacific Union Conference." However, the church does
object to California coercing employers to violate their own fundamental
beliefs."
For
years, this office has been warning about the inevitable clash between gay
rights and religious freedom in the context of religious organizations becoming
dependent on government funding sources. Our worst nightmare has just become
reality. This may be the worst bill weve seen in the CALIFORNIA legislature in a
long time, but even if we defeat it, it wont be the last. This conflict is now
front and center. For those advocating so-called "faith-based initiatives"
initiatives," meaning increased government funding of religious charities, the
handwriting is on the wall. Partnering with government has now become
practically suicidal.
WHAT
TO DO NOW:
For
up to date information on this bill, see the Capitol Resource Institutes
website, http//www.capitolresource.org/. Your
letters and phone calls to your state legislators are needed
now.
