Northpinellas: Local religious leaders plan protest

But there is an 11th commandment, say some local religious leaders, and the controversy over Largo City Manager Steve Stanton is a good time to remember it.

"Thou shalt not discriminate," said the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, pastor of Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater.

He and other ministers say the Largo City Commission violated that unwritten directive when it moved to fire Stanton, 48, last week after he disclosed that he plans to have a sex-change operation.

Because of the commission's decision, an interfaith coalition of religious leaders from throughout the Tampa Bay area will gather at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the steps of Largo City Hall, 201 Highland Ave., in a peaceful protest against what they feel is a grave injustice. They hope other like-minded citizens will participate as well.

Through the demonstration, they hope to urge commissioners to change their minds and not fire Stanton.

A dozen members of the clergy have indicated they will attend, as well as at least 100 members of various churches and at least one temple who hope to change commissioners' minds. Attendees are expected to come from congregations countywide.

Helping to galvanize the effort was a remark made by Ron Sanders, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Largo, on the night Stanton was dismissed.

"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated," he told commissioners.

"The Jesus I know called us to love one another and taught us to stop judging by appearances, but judge justly," said the Rev. Leddy Hammock, pastor of Unity Church of Clearwater. "Have we acted in justice and love? In a system where hatred and prejudice holds sway, no one is safe."

Hammock said that for far too long "the religious right has been the voice of religion."

But, alluding to a survey done last week by the St. Petersburg Times, she said that faction does not represent the beliefs of the more liberal-thinking faith leaders, "which turns out to be the majority."

The survey of 601 adults in Largo and other Pinellas communities found a majority of respondents said the City Commission made the wrong decision and should have taken more time before making a decision. The poll also found strong majorities of residents who said they would accept working with someone who had a sex-change operation.

Organizers of the event originally thought of calling for a boycott of Largo businesses in protest of the decision. But they concluded that move would not keep the discussion of the issue going, which is their goal.

Janamanchi said every religion speaks of compassion, not selective compassion for the few, for whom it is easy to love, but compassion for all, including those we do not understand.

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by Ginger	03/06/07 12:51 AM
I'm happy to find there are still a few Godly people left in Largo. The far right religious groups need to be called to account for their intolerance and wrong interpretation of the Scriptures.

by Denise	03/05/07 09:24 PM
I have many bibles(Catholic,Masonic,Living,KJV) and I couldn't find the bigot Jesus in ANY of them! Thank you Rev. Hammock for reminding people of what Jesus taught. "Judge not that ye be not judged... Cast out the mote in thine own eye..."

by Marita	03/05/07 07:12 PM
I am glad to see a serious response from community religous leaders to the firing of Steve Stanton. The voices of ignorance and intolerance spoke loudly influencing the Commission to make a decision that is not supported by the majority of people.

by Carol	03/05/07 07:10 PM
My "faith" in religious leaders is restored by these leaders who have chosen the harder path. Unlike some of our Christian churches and leaders, they have chosen to NOT "shoot their wounded!" I'll be on City Hall steps in spirit tomorrow!

by Harold	03/05/07 07:00 PM
I am much much more interested in someone's character than their sexual preferences. Yes, for too long the majority have remained silent. Jesus loved with a compassion that still many of us have failed to understand. God Bless ya, Rev Leddy.

by Mad Resident	03/05/07 05:19 PM
Also stay home this is a Largo issue. Let Largo resident and staff deal with it. I'm sure you woould not like it if I cam e to your town because of something.

by Shirley	03/05/07 05:10 PM
So are these so called religious leaders saying that God made a mistake by making him a man and it is ok to decide what sex we want to be? This political crap is why so many people no longer attend church or listen to so called preachers.

by Mad Resident	03/05/07 05:06 PM
interesting comments Staton was fired based on the fact he has done a bad job not based on sex. the fact that this caused the council to listen to the public finally. I say bye bye steve. Get it right the city of largo has on step outside cityhall.

by Karen	03/05/07 04:48 PM
Clergy have no voice here; they do not buy homes or pay taxes. Stanton is a public offical paid with taxpayer's money. Let him run on the next ballot.

by Terry	03/05/07 03:09 PM
He should be rehired. He is being discriminated against. I will be in spirit as I have to work. Good luck.

by terry	03/05/07 02:58 PM
if his work was not up to par then ok. but knot for changing gender. men and woman and do the same job

by John	03/05/07 02:13 PM
It appears that no one saw the commission reasons for firing Stanton. It had nothing to do with his change it had to do with character, honesty, and the lack of compassion he shows his employees on a daily basis. The Times only wants to sell papers.

by STEVE	03/05/07 02:08 PM
This is for all the people that live in largo "LET HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.

by Bob	03/05/07 01:00 PM
Stevie needs to go to The Netherlands. He would be better received there.

by Sam	03/05/07 12:25 PM
This intolerance of those who are different reminds me of the same crazed outlook shown by Islamic terrorists. Changing one's gender does not transform a manager proven over 14 years into an ineffective one.

by Karen	03/05/07 12:13 PM
It seems to me we have forgotten that a City Commission meeting is a government function, therfore Relegion has no place there in the first place. One of the founding principals of this country is the seperation of Church and State.

by Ron	03/05/07 11:59 AM
This is a ssituation where these religious leaders are just playing for the cameras. They should be more worried abotu winning souls than who gets fired in Largo

by Louise	03/05/07 11:28 AM
God makes no mistakes! God created him as a man. So was God wrong? No!This mans mind has been corrupted by sin. Yet the church is condoning this. God said stand up against sin.Read the bible. He decribes all of mans sins.You are standing against God.

by Lisa	03/05/07 10:45 AM
I am impressed. Religious leaders showing compassion, love and understanding. Maybe there is hope for this world yet.

by JT	03/05/07 10:16 AM
Wish Largo Voters went to the polls and voted on the issue instead of the SPT touting a poll of 601 in a city of 70,000. Those I know in Largo are relieved that Stanton is gone.They felt he was self absorbed and put the city in a bad no win position

by Sally	03/05/07 09:06 AM
Shame on these so-called religious leaders. They want to destroy this state and our children by condoning the deviant mentally ill actions of a transsexual. Floridians must do everything in their power to stop this madness.It was right to FIRE him.

by neil	03/05/07 08:50 AM
It is about time someone who voices an opinion based on compassion and reason steps forth to address this issue to counter the bigotry expressed by some so called called religious "leaders"

by Shawn	03/05/07 08:34 AM
Kudos to these religious leaders for having the audacity to step to the plate. This is indeed a noble and bold step on their parts.

by Karen	03/05/07 08:31 AM
Why does the St.Pete Times officials feel people outside Largo should run the City of Largo Florid.

by Bruce	03/05/07 08:20 AM
Since we truly seem to be saying what would Jesus do, lets pretend that one of his disciples wanted a sex change operation. Would he show love by saying its ok, or would he rebuke the behavior in compassion for their soul and eternity?