Letter to the Editor
by Cris Shardelman, Constitution Party member, Poulsbo, Washington
Letters Editor:
Colonist George Mason stated, "The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superceded by no power on earth. A legislature must not obstruct our obedience to Him from whose punishment they cannot protect us. All human laws which contradict His laws we are in conscience bound to disobey."
George Mason recognized what our legislators have forgotten, that sin separates us from God, but judgment and eternity still exist. Since it is God's Kingdom, His laws, with entry to that Kingdom paid for by His blood, our choices determine where we will spend that eternity.
By passing ESHB2661 (the Sexual Orientation bill) into law, the Washington State Legislature has just stated the natural laws of God will be overthrown through the use of the police power of the State. The police power is given to the non-elected Washington State Human Rights Commission. Most of the media has presented 2661 as merely granting equality in employment, housing, credit and insurance. The text of 2661 and one amendment refused by the legislature reveals a different agenda:
Section 4 reads "Sexual orientation means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, "gender expression or identity" means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self- image, appearance, behavior, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth." Note "perceived" and other listed subjective terms derive from someone's thoughts. How does one defend oneself against "perceived" discrimination?
The amendment rejected by the legislature read: after "identity" insert "but does not include bestiality, necrophilia, incest, adultery, pedophilia, or sadomasochism". Why would thinking legislators want Washington on record as accepting these behaviors?
Sections 5 and 6 expand the State Human Rights Commission bureaucracy, and grants it power to utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies. The legislature is supposed to have oversight of the departments and agencies, yet have given their authority to the Commission which adopts its own rules. This is unprecedented police power over the lives of everyone. Anyone can be accused of "perceived" discrimination, or hurting someone's "self- image", and be subject to huge fines by this non-elected entity.
The Commission has power to "foster good relations between minority and majority populations groups through seminars, conferences, education programs, and other intergroup relations activities". Since age is not defined in 2661, pre-kindergarten children can be led into acceptance of unnatural dangerous sexual acts God calls sin. Yes, curriculum does exist.
2661 removed the definition of "creed" that previously applied to an individual. It appears religious organizations are free to hire whom they chose. Whether an individual will have the Constitutional rights of freedom of religion, speech, press, and association when he leaves the building is questionable. The individual may be able to call theft or lying sin, but what about certain "sexual orientations"?
Have legislators raised their fists toward God?
Cris Shardelman
17198 Viking Way NW
Poulsbo, Wash. 98370
360-779-9126