Rev. Kate Lore says Battle Ground deserves a city government that serves all of its residents equally

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

Battle Ground has a growing problem: Christian nationalism has gained significant political and economic influence in our community. As described in the recently removed Project Battle Ground podcast series, some local leaders envision a city governed according to their particular interpretation of Christianity, with power concentrated among those they consider “true believers.”

Rev. Kate Lor

When civic documents stop being inclusive and begin sounding like church sermons, a line has been crossed.

At a recent Battle Ground City Council meeting, Mayor Eric Overholser approved and read a “Traditional Nuclear Family Proclamation.” The proclamation’s sponsor, Philip Ridgeway, used his time before the council to preach and quote scripture in support of the measure. What should have been a civic proceeding became an endorsement of a specific religious worldview.

The issue is not faith. People of every faith — and no faith — have the right to participate in public life. The issue is whether government should promote one religious understanding of family, morality, or citizenship over all others.

When city leaders use official proclamations to elevate a particular biblical model of family, they send a message to single-parent families, blended families, foster families, grandparents raising grandchildren, and LGBTQ+ households that they are somehow less worthy of recognition.

As an ordained minister whose life has been shaped by the teachings of Jesus, I want to be clear: the problem with Christian nationalism is not that Christians participate in politics. The problem is the belief that Christianity should hold a privileged position in government and law.

Our Constitution protects both religious freedom and secular government. When those boundaries blur, democracy suffers, communities fracture, and religion itself is diminished.

Battle Ground deserves a city government that serves all of its residents equally.

Rev. Kate Lore
Battle Ground

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