Maine Jeremiah Project message – February 27, 2010
From Pastor Bob Emrich, Director of the Maine Jeremiah Project–
We have received many questions about the March 1st meeting of the Maine Human Rights Commission. The Commission’s agenda includes a review and possible vote on “Proposed Guidance, Sexual Orientation in Educational Institutions”. (If you would like to see a copy of the proposed guidelines, I can email them to you.) The proposed guidelines are focused on accommodations for “transgendered” students. People are naturally troubled by the topic and the proposed guidelines.
Many have asked if the Maine Jeremiah Project is urging people to attend the meeting and if I will be speaking at the meeting. I do not plan to attend and we are not calling upon others to do so.
Here is why:
1. Contrary to other reports you may have received, the March 1st meeting is NOT a public hearing. The agenda includes the following statement: Discussion of the proposed guidance will be in a work session. Discussion will be limited to Commissioners and staff at this time. The public is welcome to attend. There is no opportunity for public testimony to be given.
2. The guidelines being proposed are terrible, but they are not new nor are they binding for anyone. These guidelines are NOT laws and the HRC does not have authority to make law.
3. Some reports have stated that these guidelines will be mandatory for all schools, public and private. Some have claimed that even Christian schools will not be exempt. This is inaccurate as stated above. It should also be noted that Christian Schools are exempt by statute from sexual orientation laws.
As the Director of the Maine Jeremiah Project, I want to say that we object to the proposed guidelines. They contain factual errors and misleading opinions. The very existence of these guidelines demonstrates the absurdity of Maine’s “sexual orientation” laws.
If we expect to improve Maine’s culture and to promote good policy, we must strive for accuracy and avoid the temptation to sound careless alarms. There are proper ways to influence public policy. We are most effective when we understand the process. Please feel free to email any questions you may have.
God bless,
Bob Emrich
The Maine Jeremiah Project supports the sanctity of life, traditional family values and religious freedom in Maine. The Maine Jeremiah Project is a nonprofit ministry with 501(c)(3) status. Your financial help is encouraged. If you would like to make a contribution, please make checks payable to: the Maine Jeremiah Project, PO Box 62, Plymouth, Maine 04969.
