For those of you who I have not met, I am Joseph Kowalczyk, Ordained Clergy Person with the Church of Spiritual Reason. The Church of Spiritual Reason promotes variance in thought and reasoning among individual clergy, and, as such, I wish to declare that the statements and views here are my own (and are not necessarily those of other members or clergy of the Church of Spiritual Reason), and are meant for the faithful of my church, and those seeking to be enlightened by my church.
The Teachings that I have always brought to those around me have always been an attempt to show, in part, that people should be judged on their deeds and willful actions, and not by genetics, biology, chemistry, or other forces outside of their control. A person's moral fiber is woven with the threads that their actions trail behind them; it is not made whole cloth at birth, ever. The idea of a caste system of any kind is, at best, illogical, and, at worst, codified racism. It strikes me as odd, then, that, in the guise of liberty, that the State of Indiana has chosen to create such a caste system.
Indiana has just passed Senate Bill 101, which, "...would prevent state and local governments from 'substantially burdening' a person's exercise of religion unless the government can prove it has a compelling interest and is doing so in the least restrictive means," according to USA Today. On the surface, it seems like a noble idea, and one in line with the First Amendment; however, Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, has noted that, "...it basically says to a group of people you're second rate, you don't matter, and if you walk into my store, I don't have to serve you."
I don't feel that this is an accident that this legislation comes in the wake of a string of victories in gay rights cases. I feel that this is a thinly-veiled attempt by religious conservatives opposed to homosexuality to find a way to discriminate against homosexuals.
Thomas L. McDonald, a religious blogger, callously jokes about this, saying, "Can you imagine the nightmare reality such protections would unleash? People might actually need to … choose another caterer. It’s like Selma all over again." What Mr. McDonald fails to remember is that in Selma, the discriminated had a choice, sure... to go nowhere. Businesses colluded against blacks in those days. That CAN, and, I feel, WILL happen again in this case against homosexuals, Muslims or anyone else a neighborhood chooses not to like.
Therefore, I feel, it is time to use the powers that Indiana has granted itself against Indiana, to show them how ridiculous this law is. The recent "Hobby Lobby" decision shows that laws like this stand in court, so the method for challenging them must be legislative. This can be done best by applying pressure to the lawmakers themselves.
I hereby proclaim the following:
1) The name of this sect of the Chuch of Spiritual Reason shall be The Church of the Non-Hoosier. My followers are hereby known as "Non-Hoosiers".
2) There are no dues, fees, or rituals to join my church. The only requirement is that you openly declare such. You may belong to my church and practice other beliefs as well, so long as they don't conflict. (Actually, that's even if they do; that's up to your other church to sort out.)
3) At no time should a "Non-Hoosier" allow an elected government official of the State of Indiana to enter their place of business, nor shall they conduct financial transactions with such. Such individuals have demonstrated that they support a caste system that is unfair and hateful. Until they repent of such action, and change this law, they must be made to see the error of their ways by being submitted to the same pains that they inflict upon others.
4) The organization known has GenCon has declared that they, as well, do not support this law, but are bound by contract to remain within Indiana. I declare that it is the duty, in part, of this church, to liberate them from this oppressive law by assisting them in their efforts to terminate their contract. The Church of the Non-Hoosier is open to ideas for crowd funding legal fees for GenCon, or for paying the penalty for breaking the contract. Such ideas can be submitted to The Church by email at jdkowalczyk94@yahoo.com. The State of Indiana must see the financial impact that this law can have, and GenCon must also be liberated so that they can properly serve all people as they have chosen.
Faithful and Curious, please go forth today, and spread our mission of love and liberation across Indiana, across social media, and elsewhere.
Yours in Love and Hope,
Joseph Kowalczyk, O.C.P.
Church of the Non-Hoosier
(Source for all quotes: "Gay Couples Couldn't Demand Business Services under Indiana Bill", Mark Stricherz, March 27th, 2015, www.aleteia.org)
