Salem taxpayer money shouldn't go to organization that denies basic human rights | Opinion

Scott Rick | Guest Opinion

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As we approach the opening day for the Salem Public Library in a building owned by the Salem Alliance Church, we must question why taxpayers will be paying $19,000 per month in rent to an organization that spreads intolerance in our community.

When people suggest that President Trump’s statements and policies are racist or homophobic, he vehemently denies it in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The same thing happens when you ask Salem Alliance Church officials about their discriminatory policies toward the queer community.

Church leaders insist, for example, that their refusal to marry same-gender couples is not discriminatory. They seem to believe that by couching discrimination within religious freedom it can no longer be considered discrimination.

By this logic, the church would also be justified in refusing to marry a mixed-race couple.

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Religious conservatives have it backward; freedom from discrimination should trump freedom of religion, not the other way around.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination (to which Salem Alliance belongs) refers to homosexuality as “detestable” based on Leviticus. Church leaders at Salem Alliance preach against homosexuality and gay marriage.

By sending this message of intolerance into our community they are directly contributing to the self-harm that is so prevalent in the queer community. Queer people are made to feel that there is something wrong with them, that they are detestable and detested, resulting in suicide rates much higher than for the general population. Fortunately, Salem Alliance rejects some parts of Leviticus, such as 25:44-46 which endorses slavery.

Salem Alliance claims that its Broadway Commons (and coffeehouse) has never discriminated against when hiring.

However, church leaders have repeatedly refused to answer the simple question “would the Broadway Commons hire an openly queer applicant?”

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The Broadway Commons also refuses to issue an equal opportunity employer statement. They believe that religious freedom grants them the right to refuse to hire any applicant that does not conform to their standard of “appropriate” sexual orientation.

Just as they deny that refusal to marry same-sex couples can be considered discrimination, they seem to believe that their refusal to hire openly queer applicants is not discriminatory.

Unfortunately, the target of Salem Alliance’s discriminatory philosophy and practices is not limited to the queer community; women too, are considered as lesser than straight males. The Salem Alliance Church is governed by the Elder Council. As mandated by the Christian and Missionary Alliance, women are not allowed to serve on this council.

The church has the religious freedom to adhere to this policy, but it is unquestionably discriminatory.

Many community members do not feel comfortable using facilities owned by a church that spreads intolerance in our community. For this reason, public and private organizations are encouraged to refrain from renting and using facilities owned by the Salem Alliance Church.

Taxpayer money should not be flowing to an organization that so blatantly denies basic human rights to cherished members of our community. Celebrate diversity.

Scott Rick is the librarian at South Salem High School. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and boating with his wife and dog. You may reach him at scott.a.rick@gmail.com