"Open Rebellion Against God's Law"

Following the Supreme Court's historic decision this week striking down DOMA, openly gay PA state Representative Brian Sims rose Wednesday on the PA House floor to deliver some remarks, but he was not allowed to speak---nor were two of his Democratic colleagues who rose to support him---because of a procedural block by GOP Representative Daryl Metcalfe. Metcalf's explanation?

"I did not believe that as a member of that body that I should allow someone to make comments such as he was preparing to make that ultimately were just open rebellion against what the word of God has said, what God has said, and just open rebellion against God's law," Metcalfe told WHYY of Philadelphia.

That was very nice of Rep. Metcalf to save Rep. Sims from waging open rebellion against God's law, wasn't it? And without even hearing a single word of Rep. Sims' remarks? I'm very concerned, though, about the possibility that Rep. Metcalf himself might accidentally wage open rebellion against God's law, so I emailed him (dmetcalf@pahousegop.com,  incidentally). Here is what I wrote:

Rep. Metcalfe:

Your objections which silenced Democratic Representative Brian Sims from speaking about DOMA were based on your opinion that he was in "open rebellion against God's law".

I assume you are a Christian? In that case, here are a few examples of God's law you might want to familiarize yourself with, lest you accidentally wage open rebellion against God's law yourself.

On practicing your religion in public so that others will witness your righteousness, Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

On having love and empathy for those who are different from yourself, he said in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

And on speaking out against what you perceive as another's sins, when you are yourself, being human, necessarily sinful, in Matthew 7:5 Jesus said, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Additionally, in raising your personal religion as an objection to Rep. Sims comments, and in stating that "There's no free speech on the floor", you seem to be in open rebellion against a law of the United States of America, which you have vowed to protect as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, which is the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. This Amendment prohibits the United States from establishing a state religion, which means that your personal religion does not rule the land. It also means that Rep. Sims does, in fact, enjoy the right to free speech. It reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I hope that these examples will help you avoid accidentally finding yourself in open rebellion against the laws of God or the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Flood

 

 

Here is the text of Rep. Metcalf's auto-reply:

 

Thank you for your email.

I personally receive and read the communications that are sent to this address.

I appreciate the time that you have taken to contact me.

If your message expresses your view on legislation or a specific policy, please be assured that your input will be considered.

You will be contacted by one of my staff if you have sent a constituent service request or have shared a concern that requires further action by my office.

Serving the 12th District,

Daryl Metcalfe

State Representative

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Well...I certainly hope he personally reads my communication before he accidentally wages open rebellion against God!