The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

October 28, 2012

Your View: Vote 'no' on amendments to affirm freedom

Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer, Mahtomedi

I write as a minister who cares deeply for people. I grew up in North Mankato. I learned values of welcoming the outcast in my church, and that ours is a country of freedom. My faith is one that calls me to draw the circle of welcome wide, and to work for a world of freedom, love and compassion. This is why I am voting “no” on both the marriage and voter ID amendments. There are people in my congregation and our community who simply long to be free to love who they love. There are people throughout Minnesota — elders, veterans, people living with disabilities and people living in poverty, who deserve the dignity of being able to voice their vote. Any obstacle, to love or to being heard, closes the circle of welcome and directly causes pain and hurt to real people’s lives. These amendments may not hurt you directly, but they will hurt our neighbors, they will hurt children and families who are told that they are less than worthy, that their family is deficient; they will hurt people for whom the obstacles of voter ID will prove too large to overcome, and will lose hope in this wonderful democracy we have built, feeling silenced. The marriage amendment limits my religious freedom to marry couples who are affirmed in our tradition, while a “no” vote will not force any minister to perform marriages which they don’t affirm. It is my religious and civic calling to vote “no” and to encourage you to let love rule in your heart, and stand with me.

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