[Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare Update

[Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)]

Everybody in Washington State should pay attention to the last item;  
the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network will be distributing their  
anti-GBLT-rights initiative signature pages starting March 3rd at a  
series of prayer rallies to be held several places across the state. IS  
THERE A DECLINE-TO-SIGN MOVEMENT? I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON ONE, AND  
THAT'S VERY BAD. If you know something, please let me know. Thanks.

Lawsuit attempting to block anti-marriage constitutional amendment in  
Tennessee blocked by court;

Focus on the Family applauds $550K indecency fine;

FotF coverage of SoulForce's bus tour to colleges with explicit  
anti-GBLT codes; they take the opportunity to link to a bunch of their  
anti-gay literature;

FotF: Let's finish packing the courts while the packing is good;

Focus on the Family story on last week's Supreme Court ruling saying  
that a ban on a Brazilian religious group's religious tea was  
unconstitutional; what's interesting to me about this is not the ruling  
(which I support, and FotF does too - rare, that), but is that this is  
a _complete reversal_ from an earlier Scalia opinion where he wrote  
that the government could ban any religious practice as long as that  
wasn't the stated and specific intent _both_. IOW, you had to come  
right out and say, in the law, that the point of the law was to ban a  
religious practice in order for it to be unconstitutional. This is a  
major philosophical reversal for him, which is interesting;

Focus on the Family's ACTION ITEM to support the anti-marriage  
amendment to the Federal Constitution;

Mississippi Senate will vote on a "human cloning ban" that will cripple  
biotech research in that state on the 28th; this is the Family Research  
Council ACTION ITEM supporting it;

FRC ACTION ITEM against sex education in Illinois compares the ACLU to  
NAMBLA, throws in some anti-gay slams;

American Family Association lobby letter to West Virginia legislators  
condemning both marriage rights and civil unions;

AFA attacks both evolutionary theory and  
pro-science/pro-evolutionary-theory religious leaders;

AFA: "Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to  
Indoctrinate Students, Parent Says";

Traditional Values Coalition attacks Kentucky anti-bullying educational  
effort as "pro-homosexual training";

TVC attacks evangelical leaders concerned with global warming;

The US fundamentalist political group Focus on the Family's Canadian  
subsidiary opens its "Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC)";

Faith and Freedom Network to distribute anti-GBLT-rights initiative  
petitions at a series of "prayer rallies" previously announced, to be  
held in March; they also give an address and email for writing in for  
copies.


----- 1 -----
Judge Dismisses Challenge to Tennessee Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006

[Received in email; no URL]

A Tennessee judge today dismissed the American Civil
Liberties Union's (ACLU) case against the state's proposed
constitutional amendment protecting marriage.

The ACLU claimed the General Assembly did not publish the
text of the amendment soon enough for it to be included on
the November 2006 ballot.

Byron Babione, senior legal counsel for the Alliance
Defense Fund, argued the case on behalf of Tennessee
lawmakers. He said it came down to whether the law or
special-interest groups would define marriage.

“The ACLU’s lawsuit was nothing more than a veiled attempt
to use a technicality to stop the will of the people," he
said. "The court’s ruling today upheld the right of the
people to be heard.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To read the full text of the court
order in the case, ACLU of Tennessee v. Darnell, click on
this link.

http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ACLUvDarnelldecision.pdf


----- 2 -----
FCC Affirms Broadcast Indecency Fines
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006

[Received in email; no URL]

The Federal Communications Communication (FCC) will
apparently stick by its decision to fine CBS $550,000 for
singer Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction"
during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.

"We're very pleased with this development," said Daniel
Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on
the Family Action. "The FCC didn't issue a single citation
in all of 2005, so we've been kind of wondering what's up.
Now it looks like they intended to move all along -- and
are moving."

The nation's broadcasting watchdog also reportedly plans
to announce actions soon against Fox, NBC and CBS TV
stations and affiliates for violating decency standards.

"It appears that they're going to be issuing a whole new
round of citations," he added. "They're going to be fining
a number of stations, although the news reports say that
not all of the citations will include fines."

Weiss said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin may be trying to
establish an indecency standard for the networks.

"The FCC has been very sporadic and, frankly, inconsistent
in its enforcement, so broadcasters have claimed they
don't know where the indecency line is," he said. "Martin
could be establishing that line for them, with the
intention of adding fines if there are further
violations."

According to published reports, one of the decisions
involves Nicole Richie's use of two expletives during an
appearance on the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, carried by
Fox.

Weiss, by the way, said the fine against CBS was the
maximum that can be imposed on a broadcaster for violation
of indecency standards. The network, however, made that
money back in just seven seconds during the 2005 Super
Bowl. Each 30-second ad brought the network $2.4 million
last year.


----- 3 -----
Gay Activists Tour and Protest Nation's Colleges
SUMMARY: "Equality Ride" will challenge morality codes.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 23, 2006
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm

A tour bus filled with students recruited by gay-activist
group Soulforce will visit 19 Christian colleges and
military academies across America beginning March 5. The
purpose of the "Equality Ride" is to challenge policies
they say discriminate against homosexuals.

The policies vary, but generally the opposition is focused
on codes of ethics that require students to refrain from
sexual sin, including homosexuality.

[...]

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To see a calendar of when the
Equality Ride is slated to visit each campus, click on
this link:

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm#jump

If you are a college student or have one in your family,
the following resources will help in preparing to address
the issues surrounding homosexuality.

"Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth," by psychiatrist
Jeffrey Satinover, examines recent research reported in
medical journals and the popular press. He finds many of
these studies flawed and cites evidence that homosexuality
is indeed changeable. He explains how psychology, biology,
choice and habit all interweave to produce deeply imbedded
patterns of sexual behavior.

http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm? 
itemid=2012&refcd=CE06BCZL&tvar=no

"Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research in the
Church's Moral Debate," by Stanton L. Jones and M.A.
Yarhouse, provides common-sense, reasoned analysis and
biblical wisdom for Christians who seek a clear-eyed
understanding of this inflammatory issue.
http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm? 
itemid=2706&refcd=CE06BCZL&tvar=no

"Straight Answers: Exposing the Myths and Facts About
Homosexuality,"
by Mike Haley, asks "Are homosexuals born gay? Does the
Bible really condemn homosexuality?" Discover the answers
the gay community doesn't want you to find out. This
booklet exposes eight of the most common myths.

http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm? 
itemid=1248&refcd=CE06BCZL&tvar=no

"101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality," by
Mike Haley, explains how to address the issues surrounding
same-sex attraction and its implications for society. The
thought-provoking book is written by a man who's been
there.

http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm? 
itemid=4641&refcd=CE06BCZL&tvar=no

[More at URL]


----- 4 -----
Conservatives: 'Let's Confirm Stalled Judicial Nominees'
SUMMARY: Pro-family Judiciary Committee members say it's time to fill  
appeals-court vacancies.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039658.cfm

With two U.S. Supreme Court confirmations behind them,
conservative Republicans on the Senate Judiciary
Committee, such as Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, John
Cornyn of Texas and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, are hoping
the attention will now turn toward breaking the logjam of
the president's embargoed judicial nominees.

Dr. Coburn, a practicing physician who told CitizenLink he
takes pride in being "one of the few non-lawyer members"
of the Judiciary Committee, said it's time to act. There
are far too many candidates whose nominations have been
stymied for far too long.

[More at URL]


----- 5 -----
Supreme Court Tells Government to Stay Out of Religion
SUMMARY: This week's "tea" ruling sets a high bar for government  
interference.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039653.cfm

The U.S. Supreme Court's first opinion on a
religious-liberty case under new Chief Justice John
Roberts earlier this week saw the justices move decisively
-- and unanimously -- to keep the government from
interfering in a church's religious practice. Legal
analysts said the decision has broad implications for all
faiths.

The decision allowed a Brazilian sect to continue using
hallucinogenic tea as part of its worship -- which may
have been off-putting for many Christians -- but Jared
Leland of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said by
implication, it means the government is on a very short
leash when it comes to denying anyone's religious
practices.

[More at URL]


----- 6 -----
Marriage Protection Amendment Action Center
Focus on the Family
CitizenLink
February 8, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0031537.cfm

The Senate will vote soon on the marriage Protection Amendment, and  
time grows short for you to take action — especially if your senators  
aren't firmly committed to supporting the proposed constitutional  
amendment.

If the future of marriage and the family is important to you, please  
commit to contacting your elected officials right away.

Below, you'll find several resources Focus on the Family has compiled  
to help you understand the importance of the Federal Marriage Amendment  
at this critical moment; and to contact your senators to help convince  
them of its importance, as well.

[More at URL]


----- 7 -----
Mississippi Senate to vote on human cloning ban on Tuesday, February, 28
February 24, 2006 - Friday
Mississippi (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B06

The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare committee will vote on  
HB 1202 (human cloning ban) on Tuesday, February, 28. This bill is a  
true cloning ban. The Mississippi House passed this bill by an  
overwhelming margin and so it is now in the hands of this committee.

And we need your help to get this bill passed out of committee. So call  
and encourage the chairman of the committee, Senator Alan Nunnelee, the  
vice-chairman, Terry C. Burton, and rest of committee (see list below),  
to pass this bill out of committee, without amendment. Tuesday,  
February 28 is deadline for bills to pass the 2nd chamber committee  
this session!

The following members are on the committee and need to hear from you:  
Hob Bryan, Eugene S. Clarke, Bob M. Dearing, Hillman Terome Frazier,  
John Horhn, Robert G. Huggins, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Gary Jackson, Tom  
King, Travis L. Little, Nolan Mettetal, T. O. Moffatt, J. Ed Morgan,  
Willie Simmons, Billy Thames, Joseph C. Thomas, Bennie L. Turner. Go  
to: http://www.ls.state.ms.us/ss_membs.htm to see the full list of  
committee members and their districts.

Lt. Governor Amy Tuck is a strong ally in this fight and so we  
appreciate her leadership in the state of Mississippi.

If we get this bill to the Senate floor we should get strong passage.

Thank you for your concern and for contacting your state senator.


----- 8 -----
ACLU Sex-Ed Bill in Illinois needs to be stopped
February 23, 2006 - Thursday
Illinois (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B05

On Tuesday, February 28, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, ACLU-Illinois  
and other left-wing groups are planning a massive Lobby Day in  
Springfield for what they are calling "age appropriate,"  
"comprehensive" sex-ed in schools.

Would you trust Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU, both of which has  
defended the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) to decide  
what are "age appropriate" teachings on sex for your children?  
Concerned parents must not allow this blank check to condom-based  
education in Illinois to pass. Illinois students and teens deserve  
better!

While much of the "information" being distributed to legislators  
supporting funding for condom-based sex-ed stresses that abstinence  
will be a main focus in the curricula implemented at the local level,  
if SB2267 passes, it would surely result in an expansion on  
non-abstinence-focused curricula. Neither Planned Parenthood nor the  
Illinois Caucus has a track record of supporting abstinence. These  
groups also continue to fight against funding for abstinence education  
programs across the state of Illinois.

Pro-homosexual sex-ed
SB2267 will also pave the way for pro-homosexual sex-ed lessons to be  
taught to impressionable teens, through a "sexual orientation"  
provision contained in the bill. This would pave the way for students  
being taught how to "safely" practice highly dangerous sexual  
practices.

A vote in the Illinois Senate could come any day so please call today!  
Call the Springfield switchboard at 217-782-2000 and demand that  
Illinois teens not be sold short by giving state funding to these  
programs. Please make this call today, before the Left's pro-Condom  
Training Sex Ed Lobby Day on Tuesday, February 28.

In addition, if you can go to Springfield Tuesday to lobby against this  
dangerous legislation, please do so to counter these special interest  
groups. Contact IFI at 630-790-8370 or by e-mail at:  
info at illinoisfamily.org and they will provide you with information to  
pass out to legislators to educate them about the dangers of this  
extreme sex-ed legislation.

Thank you for your concern and your help with this crucial issue for  
our children.


----- 9 -----
American Family Association
Center for Law and Policy
Open Letter to the Legislators of the Great State of West Virginia
Online as of February 24, 2006

http://www.afa.net/clp/wvlegislators.asp

As many of you know, the West Virginia legislature is currently  
considering placement of a marriage protection amendment on the ballot  
for the upcoming elections. The AFA Center for Law & Policy (CLP)  
played a key role in drafting the amendment, and the West Virginia  
Family Foundation has been the primary organization behind the  
initiative.

Some legislators have expressed reluctance to support the amendment,  
arguing that it is not necessary. In response, the CLP was asked to  
explain why the amendment was needed. Here is the letter sent to all  
West Virginia legislators by the CLP:

[More at URL]


----- 10 -----
The Right Frame of Mind
Rebuking the 'Clergy Letter Project'
By Rev. Mark H. Creech
February 24, 2006
American Family Association

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006mc.asp

(AgapePress) - Recently, AgapePress reported that over 10,000 members  
of the clergy from mainline churches had signed a letter stating they  
rejected a literal interpretation of the creation story. (See related  
story) The "Clergy Letter Project," the brainchild of University of  
Wisconsin-Oshkosh administrator Michael Zimmerman, advocates that "the  
timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may  
comfortably coexist." The purpose of the letter is to urge school board  
members to reject such teachings as Scientific Creationism and  
Intelligent Design and "preserve the integrity of the science  
curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a  
core component of human knowledge."

It is most unfortunate so many Christian leaders have concluded that  
evolution is scientific, whereas creationism and intelligent design are  
simply religious -- when, in fact, evolution is incapable of being  
scientifically proven.

[More at URL]


----- 11 -----
Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to Indoctrinate  
Students, Parent Says
By Jim Brown and Jenni Parker
American Family Association / Agape Press
February 24, 2006

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006b.asp

(AgapePress) - A lesbian teacher who helped lead a controversial  
pro-homosexual seminar at the North Carolina Governor's School last  
year is being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct with a  
student.

Social studies teacher Susan Wiseman was suspended from East Forsyth  
High School without pay recently after allegations arose of her having  
had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. A local district  
judge recently revoked a gag order that had prevented Forsyth County  
officials from notifying parents of the identity of the suspected sex  
offender.

Wiseman, a youth coordinator for the Parents, Families, and Friends of  
Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Winston-Salem, has been under  
investigation both by police and the school system for the incidents  
that allegedly took place some time between February and May of last  
year. However, according to a Winston-Salem Journal report, the teenage  
victim in the case has, along with family members, chosen not to press  
charges. Therefore, District Attorney Tom Keith announced yesterday  
that no criminal charges will be brought against Wiseman.

With a victim unwilling to cooperate with prosecution and in the  
absence of corroborating evidence, Keith stated that his office had  
"closed the matter." However, the matter is not closed as far as  
officials with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are concerned.  
Wiseman remains on suspension without pay, and Superintendent Don  
Martin says D.A. Keith 's decision will not affect the school system.

[...]

Burrows believes Wiseman and other instructors at the North Carolina  
Governor's School are committed to promoting homosexuality to children.  
For him, recent events have simply reinforced his suspicions about the  
lesbian teacher having a pro-homosexual agenda and being willing to use  
her position as an educator to carry it out.

[More at URL]


----- 12 -----
Kentucky Children Forced To Take Pro-Homosexual Training
Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2619

February 23, 2006 – Children in Ashland, Kentucky have no religious or  
free-speech rights to opt out of pro-homosexual anti-harassment  
training, according to Federal Judge David Bunning. According to  
Bunning, “there is simply no basis for an opt-out” because the  
anti-harassment program is “rationally related to a legitimate  
educational goal, namely to maintain a safe environment.”

The school district was forced by the settlement of an ACLU lawsuit in  
2004 to institute anti-harassment training after the school had a  
conflict with a student homosexual organization.

The ACLU has defended the right of the school to keep the  
anti-harassment program in place. Students wishing to opt out were  
defended by the Alliance Defense Fund.

[More at URL]


----- 13 -----
Evangelical Environmental Group Funded By Globalist, Pro-Abortion And  
Pro-Homosexual Foundations
Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2624

February 23, 2006 – TVC has just published a new report on global  
warming and the funding background of a group called the Evangelical  
Environmental Network (EEN).

The group is headed by Rev. Jim Ball and is described in media accounts  
as a “centrist” organization of evangelical leaders. The group,  
however, is being funded by an assortment of foundations that also  
provide significant funds for one-world, pro-abortion, and  
pro-homosexual activist groups.

One wonders why an evangelical group would accept money from such  
foundations or why these foundations would be willing to fund the  
activities of a Christian organization—unless the foundation grant  
givers believe the EEN will help them achieve their own globalist  
objectives.

[More at URL]


----- 14 -----
Marriage and family institute opens
Focus on the Family (Canada office)
Today's Family News
February 22, 2006

http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/misc/022206.html

Focus on the Family Canada’s long-awaited Ottawa-based policy and  
research arm, the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) is now  
open for business following a very successful official opening last  
Thursday.

[...]

“A number of people came up to me and said, ‘We don’t agree [with you]  
on everything because of faith issues, but we agree on the family  
issues.’ That commonality provides us with strength . . . that we can  
rally around the important institutions of marriage and family,” Quist  
told Today’s Family News.

[More at URL]


----- 15 -----
Call to Prayer & Action in Your Community
Faith and Freedom Network
February 23, 2006

[Received in email; no URL]

With the passage of HB 2661, granting special rights to homosexuals and  
with the anticipated WA Supreme Court decision to overturn Biblical  
marriage, we all have cause for concern.

Faith & Freedom and Sound The Alarm invite you to join with others of  
like-mind in your community for an interdenominational prayer rally.  
These meetings will present a clear call to prayer and a specific call  
to action. Forms for signature gathering will be available at these  
meetings.

You may also request these signature forms by email;  
forms at faithandfreedom.us or by writing

Faith & Freedom
Attention: Signature Forms
16300 112th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011.

[More at URL]