Recent statements by the Holland City Council are a perfect example of why I hate religion.

Now let me clarify — I don’t hate religion. I respect the notion of an individual holding beliefs in a higher power, whether they call it Yaweh, Allah, Buddah or “the spirit in all of us.”

I grew up in the typical West Michigan, Christianity-based household. Through my childhood, most of the adults I respected (and still do respect) were devout believers in Jesus Christ. Many of these people were (and still are) remarkable men and women whom I have witnessed performing completely selfless, noble and honorable acts for the sake of those around them — exactly what religion should inspire.

But, when voting about making LGBT discrimination illegal along with other already-illegal forms of discrimination in local housing and employment laws, the Holland City Council voted 5-4 in favor of keeping the laws the same and not adding a section against LGBT discrimination.

Ralph Houston, a pastor in attendance when the decision was made this summer, told The Grand Rapids Press that amending the law was “a way to get acceptance to immoral acts by approval through law.”

According to a recent article in The Rapidian by Erin Wilson, City Council members spoke out to say that they needed proof discrimination actually occurs before they could amend the law.

It’s just like the way every government in the world has needed proof that murder, extortion, bribery, rape and theft actually occur before passing a law to prevent it. It makes logical sense, right?

Essentially, what the Holland City Council has decided is that because the LGBT community partakes in a lifestyle their religion deems “immoral,” that community is no longer deserving of the same protection any other citizen would receive.

So let me clarify: I believe religion is good. That is, until you start putting your own religious beliefs and standards before the basic rights of other human beings.

As the old saying goes, “if you don’t believe in freedom of expression for the viewpoint you despise most, you don’t believe in freedom of expression at all.”

kvanantwerpen

@lanthorn.com