Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network: Gov. Corbett is Wrong to Support ‘Sexual Orientation’ Policy That Threatens Religious Liberty

PHILADELPHIA—Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network (PPN, www.papastors.net) is urging Pennsylvanians to stand up to proposed state legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in Pennsylvania law. Gov. Tom Corbett plans to support the law.

House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 300 claim to end discrimination, but the bills actually foster discrimination against business owners and employers with sincerely held religious beliefs. These types of laws in other states and jurisdictions have been used against people of faith and family-run businesses, such as bakers, T-shirt printers, florists, photographers and bed-and-breakfast owners.

“Our Governor is stating that he is supporting this bill because federal law does not recognize these protections without it,” says Sam Rohrer, President of PPN and the American Pastors’ Network (APN, www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net). “The truth is that the federal government is not the law nor do those in office take an oath to support the politically correct views of the federal government. In all cases there is higher Moral law and civil law that that must underpin all state and federal laws.  This is not only a constitutional issue, but a biblical one.”

According to the Pennsylvania Family Institute, in 2010, when seeking the office of Governor, Corbett indicated he would oppose such legislation. In his signed response to the Pennsylvania Family Council Voter’s Guide Survey, Corbett answered “Oppose” on this question: Do you support or oppose a law that would “add ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ as protected classes in Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment and public accommodation?”

“What exactly is wrong with the inclusion of gender identity in the human relations anti-discrimination law?” Rohrer asks. “It is the fact that ‘sexual orientation’, homosexuality, and transgendered indivuals do not rise to same level as race or other unchangeables protected under our current law. While some people may be confused, neither God or just law is confused on this issue.  Constitutionally and morally, protection for such issues  as race and religion are inherently different from the pragmatic considerations  our Governor is considering.”

PPN is encouraging Pennsylvanians to contact Gov. Corbett’s office regarding the bill, remembering to: (1) Be gracious and professional in communications to elected leaders and; (2) Pray for those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-2).

• Call Gov. Corbett’s office at (717) 787-2500. Click here to use Pennsylvania Family Institute’s/Pennsylvania Family Council’s Citizen Action Center.
• Contact local state senators and state representatives and voice your opposition to HB 300 and SB 300. Click here to use Pennsylvania Family Institute’s/Pennsylvania Family Council’s Citizen Action Center.

For more information on Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network, visit www.papastors.net or call 610.584.1225.

The Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network is a group of biblically faithful clergy and church liaisons whose objective is to build a permanent infrastructure of like-minded clergy who affirm the authority of Scripture, take seriously Jesus’ command to be the “salt and light” to the culture, encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary social issues; examine public policy issues without politicizing their pulpits and engage their congregations in taking part in our political process on a non-partisan basis.

The Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network is a state chapter affiliate of the American Pastors’ Network. The American Pastors’ Network is a Ministry Program Affiliate of Capstone Legacy Foundation (a 501 C3 non-profit organization).