Editorial

DISCRIMINATION NOT RIGHT

A vote 'no' on Feb. 10 a vote against deceit too

Opponents of civil rights for gays deliberately confuse voters.

©Copyright 1998 Guy Gannett Communications

What will it profit the Christian Coalition and the Christian Civic League of Maine if they win the Feb. 10 election repealing civil rights for gays and lose their own soul? Jesus asked the question of his disciples in another context, but the paraphrased question is as valid in the current setting.

The two groups are in danger of losing what should be most precious to them, their veracity before God and man, by the deliberate deceit they are practicing.

First they formed a political action committee called ''Yes for Equal Rights,'' perverting the slogan used by defenders of the state law making it unlawful to discriminate against gay men and lesbians in matters of credit, employment, housing and public accommodation. They knew this would confuse people, but they also knew it wasn't right. They will have to live with that after Feb. 10.

Now comes word the Christian Coalition is calling people statewide, with the goal of reaching 100,000 before the election, and asking them three questions: ''Are you likely to vote in the special election Feb. 10? Do you favor special rights for homosexuals? Do you favor banning partial birth abortions?''

The clear implication is that the incindiary issue of ''partial birth abortions'' (as opponents call uncommonly performed dilation-and-extraction abortions) will be right there on the ballot with ''special rights'' (also a misnomer) for homosexuals. Again, this is a deliberate attempt to confuse the issue, and undoubtedly will persuade some to vote for the repeal (thinking they are voting against both ''special rights'' and ''partial birth abortions'') who would not have voted for it otherwise.

Do opponents really want to win that badly? They should ask themselves, as Charles H. Sheldon asked in his famous novel, ''In His Steps'': ''What would Jesus do?'' If they answer honestly, they will know what they are doing is wrong.

Let there be no confusion: Those who would defend the civil rights of all God's children should vote ''NO'' on Feb. 10.