Awareness of trends in our state and federal government legislation is important for all of us in maintaining and protecting our individual freedom.

Kansas House Bill 2453 defines the right of religious freedom for individuals, businesses and government employees to refuse services to any marriage or partnership or similar arrangement contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs regarding sex or gender.

This bill passed the House with a good majority and is on its way to the Kansas Senate. A flag is raised to be aware of trends occurring some of our states.

Communities of individuals band together under a set of moral and ethical standards defined by the majority of the individuals. Boundaries established by the community provide protection from outside influences jeopardizing the peace and safety of the community. To protect the boundaries, laws are enacted to allow policing of standards.

These standards can range from very liberal to extremely conservative within different geographical communities.

In many cases these standards are defined or at a minimum are highly influenced by the predominate religious doctrine supported by the majority.

The degree of implantation of the standards tends to vary with the level of conservatism within the community. In the Midwest Bible Belt, the influence of religious doctrine in defining moral boundaries and laws is more predominate. Thus bringing into question, does separation of church and state really exist?

Liberty encompasses the right to practice individuality without undue constrictive limits of moral standards established by the resident community.

Larry Barnes

Sequim