[Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)
kahvi at murkworks.net
Tue Jun 13 07:50:43 PDT 2006
I get the impression that the fundamentalists have decided the GOP is
going to lose the Senate in the fall. Either that, or they're just
wanting to cover their bets. Either way, the major groups are all
shifting their focus to judicial nominees again. They want the courts
loaded with as many theocon-friendly judges as possible before
November. It's the specifically "before the elections" part that really
says "oh shit, we're losing the Senate."
Anyway, here's today's news.
A report from the Texas GOP state-convention-cum-revival-meeting;
Focus on the Family: the most important thing for the Republicans to do
is to get as many judicial nominee votes done as possible before the
elections; it sounds to me like they're expecting the GOP to lose the
Senate in the fall; includes ACTION ITEM to demand lots more judicial
appointments before November, particularly on the filibustered judges;
Focus on the Family runs a story on the reported police harassment of
anti-gay signature gatherers in Florida; this seems unlikely to me, but
who knows; includes ACTION ITEM against the officer, which they name;
Focus on the Family cheers theocratic candidate gains in South Dakota
primaries, claim it's a show of support for the abortion ban recently
passed in the state;
FotF runs a Don Feder commentary condemning opposition to the
anti-marriage amendment as "hypocrisy and cynicism," mocking Federalism
as a valid reason to do anything, and insisting there is no valid
reason to oppose the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment;
Tennessee anti-Marriage Amendment may get stopped on technical grounds;
"Court Upholds Catholic School's Right to Fire Pro-Abortion Teacher";
the pro-choice act of the teacher was _political_, which is
interesting;
Focus on the Family's Citizen magazine profiles and lauds the
virulently anti-gay Rev. Herbert Lusk, formerly an NFL player;
Faith and Freedom Network says: "nothing has changed for Faith &
Freedom, our network of people and the work that God has called us to
do," and also, please give us money;
Focus on the Family Canada starts pushing the Biblical Worldview/The
Truth Project effort discussed extensively in previous CWUs;
Concerned Women for America acts in concert with Focus on the Family to
shift focus on judges, judges, judges - before the mid-term elections;
More of the same from CWA: get as many judges through as you can before
the elections;
Is the IRS stepping in? South Dakota churches being told that they
campaign at risk of losing tax-exempt status;
Agape Press talks about another Senate vote on the anti-marriage
amendment(!) after the House votes;
Family Research Council does the Judicial Two-Step with Focus on the
Family and Concerned Women for America;
FRC testimony against "human cloning," which is to say, embryonic
stem-cell research in all its forms; urges comprehensive ban against
all forms of embryonic stem-cell research (in the form of a ban on
"human cloning";
American Family Association agit-prop story pushing more school library
censorship;
Michigan GOP chair condemns McCain vote on anti-marriage Federal
amendment;
Lots of fun in today's Agape Press Newsbriefs, so I'm including
individual sentences from several items; click through for the whole
thing, as always;
Focus on the Family Canada: "Christian youth lack Biblical worldview";
----- 1 -----
GOP buttons on their shirts and faith on their sleeves
Republican convention draws religious conservatives
09:51 AM CDT on Sunday, June 4, 2006
By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/DN-
gopreligion_04tex.ART.State.Edition1.903cb29.html
SAN ANTONIO ¡V Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell offered a greeting to delegates
to the Republican convention. "It's great to be back in the holy land,"
the Fort Worth native said to the cheers of the party faithful.For the
4,500 delegates at last week's biennial gathering, it was both an
expression of conservative philosophy and religious faith, a melding of
church and state.
At Saturday morning's prayer meeting, party leader Tina Benkiser
assured them that God was watching over the two-day confab.
"He is the chairman of this party," she said against a backdrop of
flags and a GOP seal with its red, white and blue logo.
The party platform, adopted Saturday, declares "America is a Christian
nation" and affirms that "God is undeniable in our history and is vital
to our freedom."
"We pledge to exert our influence toward a return to the original
intent of the First Amendment and dispel the myth of the separation of
church and state," it says.
[...]
The night before, East Texas evangelist Rick Scarborough exhorted
Christians at a "values rally" to get involved in elections: "We must
do more than pray. We also must put sweat to our tears."
Delegates sought him out, taking snapshots and having him sign his book
Liberalism Kills Kids.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Conservatives Say Senate Must Champion Judicial Nominees
Some are setting records for length of time spent waiting for a vote.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 12, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040850.cfm
At the National Press Club today, a coalition of conservative legal
activists called on the Senate and Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.,
to make up-or-down votes for the president's judicial nominees a top
priority before the fall elections.
Sean Rushton, executive director of the Committee for Justice, said
it's crucial the Senate proceed right away.
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
Please let your senators know you think it's unfair to let the nominees
of any president languish for years without the courtesy of an
up-or-down vote. Please ask your lawmakers to champion the cause of
Judge Terrence Boyle and other nominees.
If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue
Take Action button on the right side of the e-mail to be automatically
logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click here.
----- 3 -----
Florida Marriage-Amendment Campaign Charges Police Harassment
Petitioners say an officer orders forms removed from public view and
intimidates volunteers.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040814.cfm
olunteers circulating petitions to place a state marriage-protection
amendment on the 2008 Florida ballot say they were victims of police
harassment last weekend.
Attorney Rick Nelson, president of the American Legal Institute, said
workers for the Florida4Marriage campaign were attending a Promise
Keepers event at the Bank Atlantic Center, in Sunrise, Fla., near Ft.
Lauderdale.
"On Saturday, June 3rd, as they were distributing petitions related to
this marriage amendment, City of Sunrise police officers approached the
volunteers and demanded that they remove the petitions from public
view," Nelson said, "meaning that they did not want to allow these
volunteers to continue giving the public information about the Florida
Marriage Amendment."
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
Write a respectful note to Sunrise Police Department Chief David Boyett
requesting that his officers enforce the law, not their personal
opinion. You can e-mail him at this address.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
South Dakota Ousts Pro-Abortion Lawmakers
The statewide abortion ban became a rallying point.
from staff reports
Focus on the Familiy
June 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040807.cfm
Residents of South Dakota took a stand for life in this week's primary
election by voting four lawmakers out of office who voted against an
abortion ban. They were replaced by strong pro-life politicians.
State Sen. Stan Adelstein of Rapid City is one of those voted out.
Chris Hupke, family policy councils representative for Focus on the
Family Action, said the Republican lawmaker had been honored by Planned
Parenthood for being pro-choice. Adelstein lost his reelection bid by
174 votes to conservative Elli Schwiesow.
"As a Republican, Adelstein is known as the most pro-abortion and
pro-gay legislator in the state Legislature," Hupke said. "The great
thing about Schwiesow is she ran as a Christian. She ran as a pro-life,
family-values candidate and was very outspoken about her faith."
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Opposition to Marriage Amendment Based on Hypocrisy and Cynicism
The people of America want to protect marriage.
by Don Feder
Focus on the Family
June 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/commentary/a0040806.cfm
The nation just witnessed the dreary spectacle of the most powerful
deliberative body in the world weighing the most important social issue
of our time ¡V an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defending
traditional marriage ¡V in a debate dominated by hypocrisy, cynicism and
a concerted effort at reality-avoidance.
Democrats ¡V and half a dozen Republicans ¡V wouldn¡¦t even allow the
amendment to come up for a vote. A move to cut off a filibuster (60
votes needed) failed 49 to 48.
[...]
The party of perversion was in rare form. I mean perversion of the
truth, not the other kind of perversion ¡V which they also favor.
[...]
When not attacking the amendment as hateful, divisive, bigoted and
exploitative, opponents (like Shifty John McCain) fell back on that old
reliable ¡V federalism. We can¡¦t pass the Marriage Protection Amendment,
they pleaded. Everyone knows marriage is a state matter.
[...]
¡§Leave it to the states¡¨ is a euphemism for ¡§leave it to the courts.¡¨
The left has always relied on its judicial minions to effect the
radical social change (abortion on demand, outlawing public expressions
of faith, advancing cohabitation) it could never secure through the
democratic process.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Court Considers Future of Tennessee Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040812.cfm
A technicality could derail a two-year effort in the Volunteer State to
let voters decide whether to define marriage as one man and one woman
in the state constitution this fall.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a technical
challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of
Tennessee. The group argued the amendment was not approved and
published in a timely manner.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Court Upholds Catholic School's Right to Fire Pro-Abortion Teacher
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040811.cfm
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed the
dismissal of a case in which a Catholic school fired a teacher for her
views on abortion.
LifeSite News reports that the decision effectively brings to a
conclusion a protracted court battle between Michele Curay-Cramer and
Ursuline Academy of Wilmington, Del., at which she formerly taught
English and Religion.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
'True to Biblical Principles'
Gay-media slurs don¡¦t intimidate the Rev. Herbert Lusk, the ex-NFL
player once known as ¡§the Praying Tailback.¡¨
by Dale Buss
Citizen Magazine
Focus on the Family
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0040683.cfm
When organizers were looking for a church to host Justice Sunday III in
January, the Rev. Herbert Lusk stepped up and offered his downtown
Philadelphia church, Greater Exodus Baptist. Televising the rally
against judicial tyranny from an African-American congregation, in the
heart of one of the oldest cities in the Northeast, gave the Justice
Sunday movement a vastly diversified flavor compared with previous
national broadcasts from red-state churches of white suburbanites in
Nashville and Louisville.
[...]
Lusk has been a powerful maverick within the African-American church
for many years; Justice Sunday III simply raised his profile. While
leading a flock of Christians who nearly all happen to be Democrats,
Lusk has become a strong ally and advisor to President George W. Bush
on issues ranging from faith-based initiatives to staunching AIDS. And
he has spoken and moved strongly against abortion and the homosexual
agenda.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Faith & Freedom is in the Battle to Stay
Faith and Freedom Network
June 8, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The failure to get Referendum 65 on the ballot was deeply disappointing
for all of us who worked so hard in talking to people and circulating
the petitions.
It was also difficult for me to reconcile Tim Eyman¡¦s number of
signatures with the herculean effort I personally saw across the state
of Washington on the part of both pastors and congregants.
The Referendum fell short by about 7,000 signatures according to Eyman.
Many people, including a number of news reporters, have asked us what
we are going to do now.
Despite the setback on Referendum 65, nothing has changed for Faith &
Freedom, our network of people and the work that God has called us to
do.
The Washington State Supreme Court is yet to announce their ruling on
traditional marriage. A response will be absolutely necessary.
There are a number of good people running for office. We must do
everything we can do to help them get elected.
As I write, discussions are taking place and plans are being formulated
for the near future.
We will be continuing to organize our network of concerned citizens all
across the state of Washington, district by district. In fact, by early
this fall, we will have in place a district coordinator in each of the
49 legislative districts in Washington State.
Within each district, churches from each community will have a contact
person who works directly with our district coordinator, who works
directly with our Field Director, who works directly with myself, our
board, and our lobbyist in Olympia.
This summer we will be organizing a youth network across the State and
will be holding seminars for youth who feel called to be politically
active in their school and in their community.
We are looking at ways in which we can influence public education and
have a positive impact for our kids and families of faith.
You have read the newspaper stories, many of which are posted on our
website and undoubtedly you have read and heard the strong criticisms
that have been directed at those of us here at Faith & Freedom.
This is a battle. It is a spiritual battle. And we are in it to stay.
Please stand with us with your prayer and with your financial support.
----- 10 -----
Worldview Training> The Truth Project
Focus on the Family Canada
June 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Truth Project ( http://www.thetruthproject.org/ ) is an exciting
new initiative of Focus on the Family. It is part of the Christian
Worldview Outreach ministry of Focus on the Family U.S. ¡V designed to
encourage the development of a Biblical worldview. Read more (
http://www.thetruthproject.org/events/ ) about The Truth Project
training conferences in the U.S.A. There currently are no events
scheduled for Canadian locations but they may be added in the future.
The training events in the United States are open to all. We will keep
you updated on any new developments in Canada.
[Editor's Note: They do, however, point to a pair of "Worldview
training" conferences; a "youth oriented" one here:
http://www.cywal.org/
And a second certified by Jerry Falwell's Liberty University in Surrey:
http://www.summit.org/conference/international/canada/ ]
----- 11 -----
CWA¡¦s Chief Counsel Urges Senators to Act on Judicial Nominees
Concerned Women for America
6/12/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10953/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. - Concerned Women for America¡¦s (CWA¡¦s) Chief Counsel
Jan LaRue joined other conservative leaders today at a press conference
to urge U.S. Senators to stop delaying and start moving on the pending
nominations of qualified judicial nominees. Senators must hold hearings
and bring pending nominations to the floor in order to fill the
remaining 49 vacancies in the federal courts.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
CWA Urges Senators to Act on Judicial Nominees
Concerned Women for America
6/12/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10954/MEDIA/life/index.htm
Concerned Women for America joined in a letter urging U.S. Senate
leadership to stop delaying the pending nominations of qualified
judicial nominees. CWA¡¦s Chief Counsel Jan LaRue spoke today at a press
conference where this effort was presented to the public.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
IRS tells churches to stay out of abortion politics
Tax-exempt status may be threatened
Detroit Free Press
June 12, 2006
BY CORRINE OLSON
SIOUX FALLS ARGUS LEADER
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006606120333
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Internal Revenue Service is warning religious
leaders in South Dakota that their churches' tax-exempt status could be
jeopardized if they campaign against a challenge to a law that bans
nearly all abortions in the state, a proposal that could be on the
November ballot.
The agency is promising stricter enforcement of rules against religious
groups endorsing or intervening in election campaigns.
[...]
The IRS is most concerned about support of or opposition to a candidate
and doesn't prohibit discussion of issues. At the same time, it warns
that nonprofit organizations, including churches, "must avoid any issue
advocacy that functions as political campaign intervention."
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Commentary & News Briefs
Agape Press
June 9, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/92006h.asp
[...]
..Pro-family leaders say the battle for a federal marriage amendment
will continue despite this week's effort by Democrats and a handful of
Republicans in the U.S. Senate to keep the matter from coming up for a
vote. Despite the setback, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas says the
fight to protect traditional marriage must continue. "I think it is a
foundational issue for society," the senator says. "When that
institution frays, our country frays. When that institution is
redefined, we harm how we raise the next generation." Among the seven
Republicans who voted with Democrats against voting on the amendment
was presidential frontrunner John McCain. Jan LaRue of Concerned Women
for America calls that a huge error. "McCain is clearly out of step
with his home folks ...," she says. Recent polls in Arizona show
support for a state amendment to protect marriage nearing 60 percent.
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins says McCain is not the
only one who has lost touch. "[The vote on Wednesday] clearly shows
that the United States Senate is out of step with the American people,"
Perkins observes. The federal marriage amendment will move to a House
vote -- perhaps as early as next month, according to reports -- and
another Senate vote could occur this year. [Bill Fancher]
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
FRC Joins Conservative Leaders To Urge Action on Judicial Nominees
Family Research Council
June 12, 2006 - Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2006
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie Swendsen, (866) FRC-NEWS
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06F06
"If we hope to return to the days when we had three equal branches of
government... the U.S. Senate must move quickly in bringing these
nominees to an up-or-down vote."
~ Tom McClusky, VP for Government Affairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Tom McClusky, Vice President for Government
Affairs at the Family Research Council, joined conservative leaders at
a press conference to urge Senate GOP leadership to move delayed
judicial nominees to the floor for a final vote.
McClusky released the following statement today:
"Throughout our history, America's judiciary has expanded its power.
This attitude of judicial supremacy even led judges in the Ninth
Circuit to rule that the phrase 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance
was unconstitutional.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Testimony against Human Cloning
by: Bill Saunders
Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PV06D01
I welcome the opportunity to testify before you today. The issues with
which this Committee is concerned are perhaps the most important ones
facing our society.
The Family Research Council is opposed to the cloning of human beings.
Our position is not based on theology or theory. Rather, it is based on
straightforward scientific facts, and the necessary ethical
implications that flow from those facts.
Cloning is often discussed as if there were two different kinds of
cloning, sometimes described as "therapeutic cloning" and "reproductive
cloning." Both terms are, however, seriously misleading. If we do not
use accurate language, it is unlikely we will be able to think clearly
about the issue.
[...]
I urge you to pass HB 1462, the "Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2006."
William Saunders Jr., JD is Senior Fellow, Center for Human Life and
Bioethics at the Family Research Council. His testimony was given
before the Health and Government Operations Committee of the Maryland
House of Delegates on March 17, 2006.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Poison In Our Libraries
Feature by Steve Crampton
American Family Association
June 12, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/122006a.asp
(AgapePress) - Laurie Taylor is the mother of two school age children.
She lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Like most parents, she cares about
her kids' education. So, when she discovered the school library had a
sexually explicit book, It's Perfectly Normal, aimed at elementary age
students, she did what any concerned parent would do: she went to the
administration and asked that it be removed, along with two other books
with similar themes.
At first, school system leaders seemed to agree with Taylor, and placed
the books in a "parent library" section with other books geared more to
parents than to children. But when Taylor found dozens more books with
sexually explicit content, and asked that they not be made available to
students without parental approval, the school reneged. It overturned
its earlier decision and voted to leave all of the books on the shelves
with unrestricted access by the students. (See earlier story)
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Michigan Activist Urges GOP to Be Fair, Condemn McCain's MPA Vote
By Jody Brown
American Family Association/Agape Press
June 12, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/122006b.asp
(AgapePress) - A Michigan-based, pro-family political action committee
(PAC) says if the state Republican Party is going to condemn the
state's Democratic lawmakers in Washington for voting against the
Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) last week, it should be fair about
it -- and also condemn the same action by the current frontrunner for
the GOP's presidential nomination.
On Election Day in November 2004, almost 60 percent of Michigan voters
approved a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between
one man and one woman. But among Democratic senators voting to
discontinue debate on the MPA last week, thereby preventing it to be
voted upon by the full Senate, was Michigan's Debbie Stabenow, whose
current term in the U.S. Senate expires in 2007. For that action, the
Michigan Republican Party is blasting Stabenow for what it calls
"tak[ing] sides with the radical special interests and against Michigan
families."
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Commentary & News Briefs
June 12, 2006
American Family Association/Agape Press
Compiled by Jenni Parker
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/122006h.asp
[...]
...Morality in Media president Robert Peters is applauding the June 7
vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to increase the maximum fines
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can impose for broadcast
indecency law violations from $32,500 to $325,000.
[...]
...Is the Episcopal Church still a member in good standing of the World
Anglican Communion, despite its consecration of an openly homosexual
bishop three years ago? That could depend on the actions of Episcopal
bishops and laity at their General Convention, which starts Tuesday in
Columbus, Ohio.
[...]
...Today in Sacramento, California, thousands of concerned parents and
children are planning a rally to try to stop a push for mandatory
sexual indoctrination materials in the state's public schools.
[Editor's Note: See previous CWUs for extensive coverage of this]
[...]
...Prison ministries, which proponents argue have done more than any
other type of program to reduce the number of repeat offenders, is
being threatened by a secularist organization's lawsuit. [Editor's
Note: this is the one where the state paid a ministry to convert
convicts to Christianity]
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Christian youth lack biblical worldview
Appearances can be deceiving.
Focus on the Family Canada
June 9, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/culture/stories/060906.html
Outwardly, Christian teenagers can act as if they are solidly grounded
in their faith when in fact they may harbour some serious doubts. It is
a problem concerned parents and educators are committed to solving.
¡§Young people are not as convinced [that Jesus is the way to come to
God] as we might think they are,¡¨ said Dr. Paul Chamberlain, who
teaches apologetics at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.
¡§They may look happy and look like they¡¦re really sharp young people,
but put them in a room with other young people and ask them the
question, and you¡¦re going to find out they have their doubts.¡¨
[More at URL]
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