From: sbradley@scic.intel.com (Seth Bradley)
Subject: Statement By The Ecumenical Ministries Of Oregon
Organization: Intel SCIC, Beaverton, OR
Distribution: or
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 02:57:37 GMT

Thought this might be of some interest, no comments, I'll just let the
document speak for itself:

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On September 19, 1991, the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon voted
unanimously to denounce the Oregon Citizens Alliance
and Measure 9 because:

"We believe that the mission is to discern and respond to the
Divine call for the unity of all peoples under God and to
build a just and loving human community in Oregon and in the
world."

The Social Principals of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
reads that "our religious tradition calls for a
continuing affirmation of human rights.  We affirm that all
persons are equally valuable in the sight of God and should be
so regarded by everyone."

The Covenant for Justice, Equity and Harmony, adopted by
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, calls us to "reject
outright any and all special interest groups and leadership
that serve only to deepen our divisions and entrench us,
angered, into separate camps."

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon denounces Measure 9 of the
Oregon Citizen's Alliance as a malicious and disrespectful
attack against gay and lesbian people.

     MEMBER DENOMINATIONS

African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
American Baptist Church
Antiochian Orthodox Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Church of the Brethren
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Greek Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church in America
Presbyterian Church USA
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ (Latter Day Saints)
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland
Society of Friends (Quakers)
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church

   VOTERS PAMPHLET STATEMENT SUBMITTED

The following statement will appear in the official Voters
Pamphlet published by the Secretary of State.  It expressed the
opposition to Ballot Measure 9 which was unanimously adopted by the
Board of Directors of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon on September
19, 1991.

     VOTE NO ON MEASURE 9
    RESPECT THE DIFFERENCES

The Directors, including the Bishops and Executives Ecumenical
Ministries of Oregon (EMO) recognize the diversity
among their 17 denominations and over 2,000 Oregon congregations as
to their teachings about sexual orientation and expression.
They are unanimous in believing that such diversity does not
negate their Christian conviction that every person's
human dignity ought to be respected.  They believe a vote
against Measure 9 is not a vote of approval or disapproval of
homosexual expression; it is a vote for human rights.

        BUILD COMMUNITY

The Mission Statement of EMO states that "we believe that the
mission is to discern and respond to the Divine call for
the unity of all peoples under God and to build a just and
loving human community in Oregon and in the world."
Measure 9 draws a line between us, rather than a circle around
us.

   UPHOLD THE BILL OF RIGHTS

The Social Principles of EMO further states that "we uphold
for all persons and groups the Bill of Rights...We believe
everyone should be protected from discrimination."  Measure
9 amends the Oregon Bill of Rights to take away rights
rather than protect them.  It codifies fear and bigotry.  EMO
asks you to discard these destructive and hurtful emotions and join
the quest for an Oregon where all person might live without fear,
expect justice and be able to contribute their talents.

The above documentation was authorized by "The People for Pat
(Kliewer, candidate for State Representative, District 3)
Committee"; uploaded by permission.
-- 
Seth J. Bradley, Senior System Administrator, Intel SCIC
Internet: sbradley@scic.intel.com   UUCP: uunet!scic.intel.com!sbradley
----------------------------------------
"A system admin's life is a sorry one.  The only advantage he has over
Emergency Room doctors is that malpractice suits are rare.  On the other
hand, ER doctors never have to deal with patients installing new versions
of their own innards!"  -Michael O'Brien