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In reply to the discussion: Breaking in Indy: Nine CEOs call on Pence, legislature to modify 'religious freedom' law [View all]ColesCountyDem
(6,944 posts)Released about an hour ago, and re-posted with permission:
Statement on Indianas Religious Freedom Rights Law
Wabash College is committed to being a welcoming academic community. Indeed, for the last 25 years our Faculty Statement of Principle Concerning Diversity has stated, While in no way wishing to abridge the free exchange of ideas, we believe that
actions that threaten or embarrass people because of their race, gender, religion, occupation, sexual orientation, national origin, physical disability or ethnic group hurt all of us. Such insensitivity to any individual or group betrays the spirit of the liberal arts. (Adopted 1990.)
I am following the evolution of the newly approved Religious Freedom Rights Act (RFRA) that is set to become law in the State of Indiana on July 1, 2015. The RFRAs wording is vague and its legal application is unknown. Reports suggest that there may be an amendment to the law, which will clarify the extent to which it either implicitly or explicitly provides an avenue for discrimination against valued members of our society.
I call on our legislators to take immediate action to make it clear that Indiana is a state that will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
Gregory D. Hess
President of Wabash College