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On Tuesday, December 17 2002, the NYS Senate and Governor Pataki signed into law the SONDA (Sexual Orientation Non Discrimination Act) Bill. This law will become the most sweeping “Gay Rights” law in the entire nation!

In essence, this law “Prohibits discrimination because of sexual orientation, defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality in employment, credit, housing, public accommodations, education. Even with all this, elected officials who are Gay Rights proponents such as Tom Duane are not satisfied and will soon seek an amendment to this law to include “transgender people” (Which includes individuals who have had a “sex change” and “cross gender dressers”).

According to N.Y.S. lobbyist Rev. Duane Motley, not even churches and religious institutions are exempt from this law; thus leaving open the possibility that even a church and ministry can be sued if it was proven an individual wasn’t hired because of their sexual orientation!

(I suppose the “separation of church and state” mantra only applies when it pleases state sponsored secular humanists!)

This all came about because the evangelical church in our city was asleep and because Governor Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno betrayed their conservative constituency to curry favor with the leading Gay Rights groups!

(Most probably a move to position Pataki more favorably for a run at the White House but I believe will surely come back to haunt him!)

Some of the implications for this law (which will go into effect January 2003) are vast!

1-We are one step away from legislation that will legalize “gay” marriages. (Which will drastically redefine the age-old view that marriage is only between a man and a women; thus opening the discussion for future legislation legalizing “polygamy”, and other unique partnerships.)

2-“Hate Speech” or “Bully” legislation that will attempt to make illegal any public literature and speech that is derogatory in tone or substance against any alternate lifestyle including of course homosexuality and the adherents to the transgender lifestyle. If passed, this law will:

a- Make it illegal to publish or print any literature for the purpose of disseminating to the public anything that communicates something negative about homosexuality (The Bible included!!)

b-Then quite possibly the Bible will be re-written for public use and “purged” of any negative references to homosexuality. Of course adulterers, prostitutes, pedophiles, and those practicing bestiality will protest and demand that their view be included in the purge: By the time we are finished we will be left with a sort of One World “Readers Digest” version of the Holy Scriptures!

(Lest anyone think what I am predicting is farfetched, you need to look no further than the country of Sweden that has already banned the reading of any scripture publicly that says anything negative about homosexuality- this even includes inside a church building;

Also in Canada, where they have already banned any public speech on the airwaves that are deemed “Hate Speech” or anti gay! For example, Jerry Falwell has two different programs that air, one for the United States and another for Canada, which is edited before it airs on radio and T.V.!

c-Quite possibly, laws will be passed mandating that all ministers, irrespective of their religious or denominational affiliation, will be required to receive “sensitivity training” so they can be “re-licensed” and be part of an “Ecumenical State Clergy Association” that alone is allowed to conduct weddings and funerals.

d-Christian newspapers, radio and television stations will be greatly limited in what they can communicate, and with so many laws restricting them, many may go out of business!

e-Many bible based congregations who refuse to compromise will be heavily fined, lose their buildings and be forced to decentralize and operate covertly in house churches.

What Can We Do?

1-Call a “Solemn Assembly” the first week of January to plead for mercy as Queen Esther did so that the law can be turned back and we can see the church revived and engage the culture as God meant for us to as “salt and light”.

2-Wherever you live in the Tristate Area, call your elected officials and voice your position on the “Gay Rights” legislation. Those who live in N.Y. should call their local State Senator and Governor Pataki’s office at 518-474-8390 and register their complaint.

(Although we love those who practice homosexuality, they have no right to force their lifestyle on all citizens, thus becoming themselves “intolerant” of diverse religious and cultural belief systems and individuals)

3- Churches, Christian newspapers, radio stations and businesses need to band together now as one “prophetic voice” and exert their influence with the papers, politicians and at the polls.

(Every believer should immediately register to vote!)

4-The church needs to be culturally relevant and disciple our children and congregants so those with the biblical worldview can become the “movers and shakers” in every jurisdiction for generations to come!

(The five jurisdictions of God are self, family, business, political, and church)

5-Every Christian should be informed as to pending legislation that will affect our Christian values and know the position their elected officials take on said legislation-With the goal of contacting and pressuring civic leaders to vote according to biblical values.

(Those who live in N.Y. can contact “New Yorkers for Religious Freedom” at 585-225-2220 and keep abreast of all pending legislative issues by receiving their monthly newsletter)

6-Every Pastor and head of a Christian organization has to immediately write in their “by-laws” specific clauses dealing with their organizations position on “same sex” marriages and homosexuality in regards to their membership, trustees, leadership, those serving in ministry and hired staff. This is the only chance you will have to protect your ministry from a lawsuit from a “planted” homosexual that can shut down your whole operation.

(Even with that, it is not yet clear how and if this new law can transcend an organization’s constitution and by-laws)

7-Come and be with us on February 12th as I moderate a “Minister’s Forum” with N.Y.S. Lobbyist Rev. Duane Motley so we can further strategize

(Call the office of “City Covenant Coalition” at 718-436-0242 ext. 15 for more information)

I plead with you; Let’s come together now and fight this. We have no time to lose! If this legislation is what it takes for the church to arise and engage the culture, then, like Mordecai and Esther of old, in the future our children will arise and call us blessed.

(Proverbs 31:28)

If we sit back and do nothing and leave as our legacy a church dominated by “state rule” and secular humanistic language, then future generations will arise and be tempted to curse our self-centered passivity!

Yours,
Pastor Joseph Mattera