Protecting Their Religious Beliefs
A group of about 60 multi-denominational ministers can be seen at Capitol Square this session, joined under the name of Pastors for Family Values. Their mission is to lobby against legislation that seeks to define marriage as a something other than a sacred union between a woman and a man.
The group is an extension of the Family Foundation – a Richmond-based organization promoting what it sees as traditional family values. The PFFV is lobbying the General Assembly against including sexual orientation in laws about hate crimes or employment discrimination.
"This year, their particular interest is any bills that may be threats to their religious beliefs," said Chris Freund , vice president of the Family Foundation.
He said the members of the PFFV believe that these laws would restrict their ability to speak out according to their religious beliefs in their churches and communities.
Jeff Caruso , executive director of Virginia Catholic Conference, said the conference is pleased to work with groups that reflect its values.
"We strongly support the constitutional amendment protecting marriage," Caruso said. "I see this as the overarching issue. We believe marriage has an original design and purpose, and therefore the state's job is to preserve God's design instead of arbitrarily redefining it."
One proposal that the PFFV has targeted is House Bill 36, sponsored by Delegate James M. Scott , D-Fairfax. It would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in residential housing.
Dyana Mason , executive director at Equality Virginia, which supports gay, lesbian and transgender issues, said the PFFV is out of line.
"I think if they are try to stop hate-crime legislation … they are out of step with the majority of Virginians … who do think that gay and lesbians should be treated fairly," Mason said.
Caruso said that it is wrong to discriminate, but that distinctions must be made.
"We oppose unjust discrimination in any form it takes against any individual, but we believe there are necessary distinctions between different relationships," Caruso said. "Because the institution of marriage has this unique design, it follows that we should not treat all voluntary relationships the same."
Mason disagreed with the pastors' approach to the legislative issues.
"It's a scare tactic for these folks to be saying that they are … fighting for religious freedom," she said.
Freund said the pastors do not criticize people because of their sexual orientations.
"These are pastors and they have great compassion for anyone in situations such as homosexuality," Freund said. "But they don't want to have to sacrifice their religious beliefs."
The PFFV formed last year after Virginians in November 2007 passed an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriages. Pastors statewide began to brainstorm with the staff of the Family Foundation about the need for legislation and lobbying to promote biblical values.
"In particular, African American pastors from urban areas in Virginia came to us … African American pastors understand discrimination in a very real way," Freund said. He said that understanding fuels their passion to not be discriminated against again in any way – particularly on the basis of religious beliefs.
The Rev. Joe Ellison of Richmond is the executive director of the PFFV. Members include Bishop Gerald O. Glenn of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Richmond.
w For more information about Pastors for Family Values, visit www.familyfoundation.org/PFFV.htm; for more about Equality Virginia, visit www.equalityvirginia.org.
Bethany Emerson is a reporter for Capital News Service.
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