On our November 2008 ballot, Colorado residents will find the deceptively named “Civil Rights Initiative” (Amendment 46), which will effectively eliminate civil rights processes and programs in our state. As members of the Christian community, how are we called to faithfully respond concerning equal opportunity?

The Colorado Council of Churches, under the direction of Rev. Dawn Duval, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , is organizing the faith community of Colorado to “Vote NO on 46.”

Say NO to Amendment 46 this November

The election on November 4th will have historical significance that could forever change the nature of Colorado’s identity and commitment to social justice. Voters will be asked to amend our state constitution by voting on Amendment 46, the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) a ballot proposal to ban civil rights processes and programs in our state. Amendment 46 threatens to eliminate state and local government outreach and equal opportunity programs that offer women and minorities opportunities for equal access to education, jobs or contracts.

Why do we need equal opportunity programs? Equal opportunity is important because it helps create more diverse groups at work, in educational settings, and at tables where contracts are signed. Equal opportunity leads to diversity, where all people have their ideas, their contributions and talents recognized and taken seriously. Diversity is a foundational moral value in the sacred teachings of Christianity and all major faith traditions – every person understood, respected, and valued.

This is why faith communities can play such an important role in this election. According to sacred teachings, we are mandated, in the face of discrimination (whether that discrimination is intended or unintended) to correct the injustices of the past, and transcend the norms of devaluing and destroying historically oppressed people. Upholding equal opportunity processes and programs enables faith communities to lead in the liberating work of celebrating the interconnectedness of community, the deconstruction of the old oppressive order, and the breaking in of a new progressive society.

To learn more about the impact of 46 go to www.votenoonamendment46.org

How can we help? To ensure voters are aware of what is at stake, Colorado Council of Churches, in collaboration with Colorado Unity, is launching our “Equal Opportunity Faith Campaign.” Faith communities can get involved by doing the following:

• Study Group Lesson – Schedule an Equal Opportunity Study Group lesson for your house of worship.
• Presentation – Schedule an Equal Opportunity Presentation (10 minutes) during a worship service; pastor, rabbi, imam, priest, etc. if possible should incorporate equal opportunity into the preached message on the day of the presentation.
• Preaching Points – Request a list of Equal Opportunity preaching points.
• Affirmative Action Literature – Request Equal Opportunity flyers to be distributed or placed in a designated area, and/or Equal Opportunity inserts for your bulletins/programs.
• Host an Equal Opportunity House Party – Share your commitment to upholding Equal Opportunity processes and programs by hosting an Equal Opportunity gathering at your home. A representative from the Colorado Council of Churches or Colorado Unity will discuss the value and challenges of equal opportunity and diversity; the cost of eliminating Equal Opportunity in Colorado, and the many opportunities to get involved and help us uphold civil rights in Colorado.
• Make a Donation – Help us in our effort to educate every congregation and community in Colorado about Amendment 46, and what a loss of Equal Opportunity would mean for women and people of color. To do this, send a check payable to the Colorado Council of Churches, attention: Dr. James Ryan at 3690 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver 80209 and let us know your gift is designated to support our efforts to defeat Amendment 46.

Please contact Rev. Dawn Duval ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and let us know how you want to support our education efforts about the benefits of Equal Opportunity in our state. Your involvement is crucial to the success of the Equal Opportunity Faith Campaign, and vital to the future of Colorado.