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

[Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)]

Iraq is almost certainly worse now than under Saddam for women - in  
many areas, it's _clearly_ worse. For lesbians and gay men, there's no  
question; the religious militias that Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld  
_would not consider_ putting enough troops on the ground to reign in -  
and which have infiltrated the police anyway - are waging a war of  
extermination. (Atypically, they hate lesbians more than gay men,  
presumably as part of their general hatred of visible women.) The  
London Times talks about it in this article;

George Will takes the culture warriors' latest masturbatory  
self-labeling - as "Values Voters" - to task, asking who the hell  
_isn't_?

Fundamentalism across the world; Russian lesbian and gay people come  
under increasing attack by religious and religiously-aligned political  
leaders; violence is up;

Party-line vote (Republicans yes, Democrats no) moves  
anti-marriage-rights "Marriage Protection Amendment" out of committee  
and to the Senate floor;

Quebec cardinal: Church cannot Baptize children of same-sex couples;

Rudolph Giuliani is raising money for Ralph Reed; yuck;

Democratic party chair Howard "ARRRRRRRGH!" Dean is courting the  
fundamentalists; meanwhile, he's being cutting party support for GBLT  
groups;

Bay Area Reporter editorial unhappy with Howard Dean on several fronts;

Family Research Council praises Senate committee for passing  
anti-gay/anti-marriage rights "Marriage Protection Amendment" on to  
full-senate;

Senate passes "Broadcast Indecency Enforcement Act," multiplying FCC  
fines for "indecency" by a factor of ten; they hope for a chilling  
effect;

The American Family Association is having its membership protest  
"anti-Christian bigotry" over an "anti-Christian assault" in the form  
of cartoons depicting Christ as a gay man, and sending complaints to  
Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski. The parallels between this and the  
Mohammad cartoons should be obvious; they demanded papers print those,  
but are opposed to this parallel. As this is a _national_ action item,  
I feel anyone should feel free to contact the Oregon governor in  
support of student speech in this case;

I haven't been linking to many of the _DaVinci Code_ articles - all  
universally against it as (pick one or more) blasphemous anti-Christian  
propaganda and clearly the work of the devil intended to destroy the  
faith - but this one's interesting: it's a _Muslim plot_ - it turns out  
one of the major backers is Muslim;

British Medical Journal _The Lancet_ says the FDA's stalling on the  
emergency contraceptive Plan B is being blocked for purely political  
reasons to appeal to the American fundamentalist movement which has  
declared it to be an abortifacient;

American Family Assocation reports on creationist upset over Vatican  
astronomer's description of creationism as a form of superstitious  
paganism;

Southern Baptist Convention to SBC churches: have anti-marriage sermons  
on June 4th, urge church members "to ask their senators to support the  
amendment";

Baptist Press declares Sunday June 4th to be "Marriage Protection  
Sunday," working with several anti-gay groups to push church efforts  
across the country to rally parisheners to demand the  
anti-gay/anti-marriage "Marriage Protection Amendment" passed in the  
Senate;

Baptist Press has an article up focusing on the marriage rights cases  
in New Jersey in Washington State, both of which have court cases  
awaiting rulings;

Traditional Values Coalition demands defeat of Net Neutrality  
proposals; I wonder who paid them off for this?;

TVC demands passage of "Holly's Law" ((H.R. 1079) sponsored by Rep.  
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)) to remove RU-486 from market;

TVC compiles list of LBGT candidates running for office in 2006;

Concerned Women for America thanks Senate leaders for Broadcast  
Indecency Bill support;

***** CWA's Washington chapter sends out urgent request for support on  
anti-gay initiative Referendum 65;

Focus on the Family Canada pushes anti-abortion plans, revives fake  
link between abortion and breast cancer; also blames "women's  
liberation" for breast cancer rate rise;

Focus on the Family attacks Republican leadership and the Bush  
administration for not nominating judges that are not as hard-line as  
they want;

Focus on the Family celebrates passage of Broadcast Indecency act;

FotF reports that there's still no decision on the Washington State  
marriage case;

Utah mayor sues to block domestic partner benefits under their  
anti-marriage law, but is rebuffed by the state courts - so far;

"A Form of ID: The Two Sides of Intelligent Design"; included on the ad  
is a page for a book called _Defeating Darwinism_;

Canada Family Action Coalition condemns school survey as homosexual  
propaganda; I agree the wording on one of the questions is poor, but,  
well, like that matters;

Faith and Freedom Network email bulletin to support Senator Luke  
Esser's re-election campaign; number one support issue is that he  
opposed the civil rights bill.


----- 1 -----
Gays flee as religious militias sentence them all to death
 From Daniel McGrory in Baghdad
The Times
May 17, 2006

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-2183948,00.html

THE death threat was delivered to Karazan’s father early in the morning  
by a masked man wearing a police uniform.

The scribbled note was brief. Karazan had to die because he was gay. In  
the new Baghdad, his sexuality warranted execution by the religious  
militias.

The father was told that if he did not hand his son over, other family  
members would be killed.

What scares the city’s residents is how the fanatics’ list of enemies  
is growing. It includes girls who refuse to cover their hair, boys who  
wear theirs too long, booksellers, liberal professors and prostitutes.  
Three shops known to sell alcohol were bombed yesterday in the Karrada  
shopping district.

In this atmosphere of intolerance and intimidation, the militias have  
made no secret of their hatred of homosexuals.

[...]

He said: “Al-Sistani gave the militias a theological sanction to murder  
gays.” He added that the ayatollah was forced to lift the fatwa against  
gays following protests, but refused to remove the reference to the  
punishment for lesbians.

[...]

He said: “We could never envisage this happening when Saddam was  
overthrown. I had no love for the former President, but his regime  
never persecuted the gay community.”

[More at URL]


----- 2 -----
Who Isn't A 'Values Voter'?
By George F. Will
The Washington Post
Thursday, May 18, 2006; Page A23

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/ 
AR2006051701874.html

An aggressively annoying new phrase in America's political lexicon is  
"values voters." It is used proudly by social conservatives, and  
carelessly by the media to denote such conservatives.

This phrase diminishes our understanding of politics. It also is  
arrogant on the part of social conservatives and insulting to everyone  
else because it implies that only social conservatives vote to advance  
their values and everyone else votes to . . . well, it is unclear what  
they supposedly think they are doing with their ballots.

[...]

Conservatives should be wary of the idea that when they talk about,  
say, tax cuts and limited government -- about things other than  
abortion, gay marriage, religion in the public square and similar  
issues -- they are engaging in values-free discourse. And by ratifying  
the social conservatives' monopoly of the label "values voters," the  
media are furthering the fiction that these voters are somehow more  
morally awake than others.

[More at URL]


----- 3 -----
Gays in Russia face backlash, plan protests
13 years after decriminalization of homosexuality, still fighting for  
rights
By Branislav Siljkovic
NBC News
Updated: 9:57 a.m. PT May 17, 2006

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12803288/

MOSCOW — Thirteen years after homosexuality was decriminalized and a  
more tolerant era appeared to be emerging, Russian gays are fighting a  
backlash, both from anti-gay elements and government officials.

The controversy has escalated in recent days with Moscow's mayor so far  
refusing to issue a permit for the city's first gay pride parade, which  
was called for by activists in the face of recent homophobic attacks.

[...]

Yuri Luzhkov, Moscow’s mayor, has been outspoken about his opposition  
of homosexuality and the proposed event.

[...]

Luzhkov has powerful support. Recently, Russia's Orthodox Patriarch,  
Alexi II, wrote to the mayor, praising Luzkov for "protecting Moscow  
and Muscovites against attempts to organize a public parade of  
propaganda for sin." The Vatican's representative in Russia, Archbishop  
Àntonio Mennini, described Luzhkov's refusal to let the parade go "a  
wise decision,” arguing that "such a manifestation would certainly lead  
to an aggravated tension in Russian society and possibly even to  
violence." Meanwhile, Russia's top rabbi, Berl Lazar, told the Russian  
media that gay pride parade in Moscow "would be a blow for morality.”

[More at URL]


----- 4 -----
Specter to Feingold: 'I don't need to be lectured by you'
Same-sex marriage hearing gets testy; amendment passes
Thursday, May 18, 2006; Posted: 12:13 p.m. EDT (16:13 GMT)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/18/senate.gaymarriage.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Senate committee approved a constitutional  
amendment banning same-sex marriage Thursday, after a shouting match  
that ended when one Democrat strode out and the Republican chairman bid  
him "good riddance."

"I don't need to be lectured by you. You are no more a protector of the  
Constitution than am I," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter,  
R-Pennsylvania, shouted after Sen. Russ Feingold declared his  
opposition to the amendment, his affinity for the Constitution and his  
intention to leave the meeting.

"If you want to leave, good riddance," Specter finished.

"I've enjoyed your lecture, too, Mr. Chairman," replied Feingold,  
D-Wisconsin, who is considering a run for president in 2008. "See ya."

[...]

"Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man  
and a woman," reads the measure, which would require approval by  
two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states.

"Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be  
construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be  
conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman," it  
says.

[More at URL]


----- 5 -----
Church Cannot Baptize Babies of Same-Sex Couples Says Quebec Cardinal
Friday July 15, 2005
LifeSite.org

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jul/05071504.html

OTTAWA, ON, July 15, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Just how confusing and  
damaging the official legal recognition of same-sex 'marriage' will be  
has been made apparent by Cardinal Ouellet's recent remarks to the  
Senate's Bill C-38 committee.

"If I take the example of the ceremony of baptism, according to our  
Canon law," said the Cardinal during his testimony at the Committee on  
Wednesday, "we cannot accept the signatures of two fathers or two  
mothers as parents of an infant. With a law that makes these unions  
official, situations of this will multiply and this threatens to  
disturb not just the use of our territory, but also our archives and  
other aspects of the life of our communities."

[More at URL]


----- 6 -----
Giuliani Headlines Ralph Reed Fundraiser
By GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer Thu May 18, 12:57 PM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060518/ap_on_el_st_lo/reed_giuliani_1

ATLANTA - Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York mayor considered a  
potential 2008 candidate for president, headlined a fundraiser Thursday  
for former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed in his run for Georgia  
lieutenant governor.

The two politicians were effusive in their praise for one another as  
they entered the Atlanta fundraiser just before noon.

"I just want to say I believe Rudy Giuliani is one of the finest  
leaders in not only the Republican Party but in either party," Reed  
said.

Giuliani responded: "We're here to get you elected. It would be a great  
thing for Georgia."

[More at URL]


----- 7 -----
Dean courts fundies, infuriates gays
by Bob Roehr
Bay Area Reporter
05/18/2006

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=838

With the Senate expected to vote on the federal marriage amendment in  
three weeks, supporters and opponents of marriage equality have been  
turning up the volume. Last week, Democratic National Committee  
Chairman Howard Dean also spoke out, and infuriated gays in the  
process.

Dean appeared on The 700 Club – Pat Robertson's television show –  
Wednesday, May 10, in an effort to court Christian evangelicals who  
constitute the political base of the Republican Party. While on the  
show, Dean claimed that the Democratic Party platform said "marriage is  
between a man and a woman."

But that is not in fact what the platform says. Rather, it states, "We  
support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our  
nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for  
these families." The platform, which was adopted at the 2004 convention  
in Boston, also supports the tradition of states defining their own  
marriage laws and opposes amending the U.S. Constitution to change  
that.

[More at URL]


----- 8 -----
Dean blows it – big time
Editorial
Bay Area Reporter
05/18/2006

http://www.ebar.com/openforum/opforum.php?sec=editorial

Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, blew it  
last week when, in an attempt to court evangelicals, he wrongly said on  
Pat Robertson's The 700 Club that the party platform states "marriage  
is between a man and a woman." It does not. But there's evidence that  
Dean did more than just misspeak – he's tried before to quash the  
party's attempt to recognize equality for all – and in so doing, we  
have serious reservations about the state of the party under his  
leadership.

Equally disturbing is the silence of some prominent Democrats – most  
notably Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco – who  
haven't publicly condemned Dean's mistake. It's as if the party  
leadership wants us to crawl under a rock and hide – except, of course,  
when it comes to soliciting campaign contributions.   The Democratic  
Party hasn't learned from its bumbling of the election in 2004, when it  
ran away from same-sex marriage and its presidential nominee, Senator  
John Kerry, sent conflicting signals. You remember Kerry, a  
Massachusetts senator, who opposed same-sex marriage in his own state,  
and during the height of the presidential race, supported a  
constitutional amendment in Missouri that prohibits same-sex marriage.  
He later said that supporting the amendment was a mistake (sort of  
along the lines of when he said he voted for financial support for the  
war in Iraq before he voted against it). Those were the days.

[More at URL]


----- 9 -----
FRC Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Marriage Protection  
Amendment
Family Research Council
May 18, 2006 - Thursday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2006
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie Swendsen, (202) 393-2100

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06E10&f=PG03I03

Washington, D.C. - Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved by a  
party-line vote the "Marriage Protection Amendment," S. J. Res. 1,  
authored by Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO). Tony Perkins, President of  
Family Research Council, issued the following statement:

"I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing the Marriage  
Protection Amendment which now goes before the full Senate on June 5th.  
This Amendment will permit the American people an opportunity to rein  
in activist judges who have stripped the right of voters to protect  
marriage.

[More at URL]


----- 10 -----
Minnesotans, please contact your state senator and encourage him/her to  
support the state marriage amendment.
Senate to end session and time is running out for a vote on marriage  
amendment.
Family Research Council
email this item
May 19, 2006 - Friday
Forward to a Friend!

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06E07&f=PG03I03

A poll was conducted on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment in February of  
2005 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc., a nationally respected  
polling firm. Results showed strong support for the marriage amendment  
in Minnesota: 65 percent are opposed to legalizing same-sex marriage;  
63 percent believe Minnesotans should have the right to vote on the  
marriage amendment; 61 percent say they would vote in favor of the  
amendment; 49 percent indicated they would be less likely to re-elect  
their state senator if he/she opposes the marriage amendment bill.

The Senate is about to end their regular session, so it is extremely  
important that you call your state senator immediately. Tell him/her  
that you would like them to support this amendment. The senators should  
also be aware of this poll showing strong support in the state for  
traditional marriage.

As we have seen in other states, the judiciary sometimes undermines the  
will of the people, and it is imperative that the citizens of Minnesota  
not stand by and allow the judges and elected officials to abuse their  
power. So, please contact your state senator and encourage him/her to  
support the marriage amendment.

For more information go to: www.minnesotaformarriage.org


----- 11 -----
FRC Praises Frist, Brownback On Broadcast Decency Bill
Family Research Council
May 19, 2006 - Friday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2006
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie Swendsen, (202) 393-2100

"Increasing the penalties for indecency will send a clear message to  
broadcasters: If you foul the public airwaves, you face the fine," says  
FRC's President Tony Perkins

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06E11

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council President Tony Perkins  
released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed by  
unanimous consent S. 193, The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, which  
increases broadcast indecency fines from $32,500 to $325,000. The bill  
was sponsored by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and shepherded through  
the Senate by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN):

"Today's media giants -- like Viacom, which owns CBS and MTV -- view  
the current fines for indecency as an irrelevant cost of doing  
business. Passage of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act goes a long  
way in raising that cost for the networks that violate decency  
standards in a quest for higher ratings. Keeping the fines relevant to  
the bottom-line says to broadcasters and performers - Americans expect  
decency on the public airwaves.


----- 12 -----
Oregon student newspaper runs pictures of Jesus as a homosexual. It is  
time to speak out!
American Family Association
May 19, 2006

http://www.afa.net/051906.asp

The Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) has refused  
to apologize for an obscene anti-Christian assault in the campus  
newspaper Insurgent.

The March edition of the Insurgent ran one of the strongest attacks on  
Christianity I have seen. The paper ran graphics depicting Jesus as a  
homosexual. One was a depiction of a naked Jesus on the cross with an  
erection; the other, titled Resurrection, showed a naked Jesus kissing  
another naked man, both sporting erections.

(To see the graphics, click here (  
http://www.afa.net/images/jesus_and_man.jpg ). [Ed. Note: this goes to  
an AFA server, not an ASUO server.] We warn you that they are extremely  
offensive. We have pixilated out the private parts.)

When asked for an apology by Students of Faith, ASUO refused to give  
one saying that "there are no grounds for demanding an apology from  
Insurgent." The ASUO went on to defend the publication saying that the  
newspaper contributes "to the cultural and physical development of the  
university community."

The Insurgent would never show a naked graphic of the Rev. Martin  
Luther King kissing another man, both sporting erections. But offending  
Christians was of no concern to the Insurgent or to University  
President Dave Frohmayer.

The ASUO Women's Center tolerates no defamation against gays and  
lesbians. Three years ago, ASUO demanded that the university radio  
station, KUGN, drop Michael Savage (a conservative talk show host). The  
university promptly discontinued the program. But depicting Jesus as a  
homosexual is perfectly OK.

Here is what Insurgent Student Editor Jessica Brown had to say about  
the graphics. "I have to say it is really fun to offend people. It is  
fun to break the rules. If it pi--es people off…good that's the  
point!!! It has here in this office. So read, get pi--ed and talk about  
it."

Incidentally, the University forces all students, including Christians,  
to pay student dues of $191.00 per term, part of which goes to support  
the Insurgent.

Take Action

Send an email letter to the Governor, University President and other  
Oregon officials protesting this anti-Christian bigotry.

Very important! Please forward this to your friends and family. It is  
important for them to become aware of the growing anti-Christian bias  
in our country. It is time for Christians to speak out saying that  
bigotry against Christians—or any faith—is unacceptable. Share this  
information with others in your church and Sunday school. .


Click Here to Email Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski Now! (  
https://secure.afa.net/afa/afapetition/takeaction.asp?id=200 )


----- 13 ----
Commentary & News Briefs
American Family Association
May 19, 2006
Compiled by Jenni Parker

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/afa/192006h.asp

...It has been learned that a Muslim provided most of the funding for  
the making of The Da Vinci Code, which opens in U.S. theaters today  
(May 19). That revelation has added to the anger of some religious  
leaders who have criticized the movie for its anti-Christian content.  
Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council was surprised when he was  
informed that a Muslim's financial support made the film possible. "It  
is enormously disappointing to know that a Muslim is behind the funding  
of this film," says Schenck. According to the Christian activist, this  
demonstrates the double-standard by which Islam operates. "Islamic  
leaders would never tolerate in any form a Christian attack on Islam,"  
he says, "and yet here we have a report now of Muslim financial backing  
for what is nothing more than a scurrilous attack on the faith of  
Christians." Schenck says studio producing the movie owes American an  
explanation. "Sony Pictures owes it to the public to come forward with  
that information and [explain] why they would accept a Muslim attack  
against Christianity when I am sure they would never do it the other  
way around," he says. According to Internet Movie Database, the  
two-and-a-half-hour movie cost an estimated $125 million to make. [Bill  
Fancher]

[More at URL]


----- 14 -----
British Medical Journal Lancet Calls on U.S. to Sell Morning After Pill  
OTC
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
May 19, 2006

http://www.lifenews.com/nat2287.html

London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Though it doesn't publish in the  
United States, the British medical journal Lancet has called on the  
U.S. to approve over the counter status for the morning after pill. It  
says the Food and Drug Administration should stop delaying its decision  
and allow the drug, which can sometimes cause an abortion, to be sold  
without a doctor's visit.
In its upcoming May 20 edition, the Lancet will say that acting FDA  
Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach must make an independent decision on  
whether or not to approve Barr Pharmaceuticals' request to sell the  
drug to women over the age of 16.

It says the agency and its lack of a decision about the drug has become  
mired in politics and if von Eschenbach wants Congressional approval to  
lead the agency on a permanent basis he needs to make a decision soon.

"His failure to issue a decision undermines both his credibility and  
that of the agency. Von Eschenbach should move quickly to approve Plan  
B to show he has the independence needed to be an effective leader of  
the FDA," the Lancet editorial will say.

"The agency is stalling, apparently to avoid offending antiabortion  
supporters of President Bush, who claim that the contraceptive is an  
abortifacient," it added.

"The FDA must be led by a commissioner willing to take independent  
stands, following the best judgment of his expert staff and scientific  
advisers, even when that means incurring the wrath of patients' groups,  
industry, Congress and the White House," the Lancet said.

[More at URL]


----- 15 -----
Creationist Defends Bible-Based Science Against Vatican Astronomer's  
Criticism
By Jim Brown and Jenni Parker
American Family Association/Agape Press
May 19, 2006

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/afa/192006d.asp

(AgapePress) - Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno recently told The  
Scotsman newspaper that believing God created the universe is a form of  
superstitious paganism, akin to the idea of "nature gods" that pagans  
believed were responsible for natural phenomena such as thunder and  
lightning. However, a leading creation scientist says the papal  
astronomer's contention that Six-Day Creationists are practicing  
paganism is "absolutely absurd."

Ken Ham, president of the apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis,  
contends that Consolmagno misunderstands the meaning of the word  
"science" as applied to the past and the present, just as many in  
contemporary culture do. "There's a big difference between  
observational science and historical science," Ham says, "and  
unfortunately today what's happened is that the secular scientists who  
have taken over the public educational system have basically  
arbitrarily defined science as naturalism."

[More at URL]


----- 16 -----
Marriage Protection Sunday: Churches encouraged to address 'gay  
marriage' June 4
May 19, 2006
By Tom Strode
Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23282

WASHINGTON (BP)--The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is asking  
Southern Baptist churches to consider observing Marriage Protection  
Sunday June 4, the eve of Senate debate on a constitutional amendment  
regarding the issue.

[...]

The ERLC, the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy entity, is  
requesting pastors to address “same-sex marriage” June 4 and to  
encourage church members to ask their senators to support the  
amendment.

“Supporters of traditional marriage need to bombard their senators’  
offices with e-mails and phone calls,” ERLC President Richard Land told  
Baptist Press, “and preachers across America need to let the pulpit  
ring forth in clear and no uncertain terms on Marriage Protection  
Sunday, June 4, and help create a groundswell of support for this  
amendment. I can assure you the opponents of traditional marriage are  
doing their best to let their voices be heard in the corridors of the  
Senate. It is up to us to let our voices be heard loudly as well.”

[...]

The ERLC collaborated with Focus on the Family Action in April to urge  
Southern Baptist pastors to promote support for the amendment. In an  
April 12 letter to the 43,600-plus SBC churches, the ERLC’s Land and  
FOFA Chairman James Dobson asked pastors to involve congregations in  
the attempt to protect marriage. They promoted a postcard campaign as  
part of that effort.

[More at URL]


----- 17 -----
FIRST-PERSON: Stand for marriage
May 19, 2006
By Kenyn M. Cureton
Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23283

Editor's note: Marriage Protection Sunday -- in which churches will  
address the issue of "gay marriage" and a proposed constitutional  
marriage amendment -- is June 4. [Ed. Note: this un-bracketed editor's  
note was placed by the Baptist Press editor, not me. I put mine in  
brackets, like this.]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Many have seen ABC TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home  
Edition" where they tear down a house and rebuild it. Unfortunately,  
there has been another Extreme Makeover happening to the American home.  
Some are trying to tear down traditional marriage and redefine it.

Bible-believing Christians were shocked as we witnessed the so called  
"Massachusetts marriages" and "San Francisco ceremonies" where two men  
or two women were "married" and kissed one another for the cameras.  
Homosexual activists have been very effective in promoting their  
extreme makeover of the family. From 1990-2000, the number of  
homosexual households has skyrocketed by more than 400 percent, and we  
are only one Supreme Court decision away from legalizing "same-sex  
marriage" all across America.

Allow me to offer a message outline and encourage you to challenge your  
church to stand for biblical marriage. (The full text of this message  
is available at http://baptist2baptist.net/b2barticle.asp?ID=289)

[More at URL]


----- 18 -----
MARRIAGE DIGEST: Activists keep focus on high courts in Wash., N.J.;  
Ga. governor may call special session this year; ...
May 19, 2006
By Michael Foust
Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23287

TRENTON, N.J. (BP)--Each week, conservative and liberal activists alike  
keep their focus on two state courts -- one in Trenton, N.J., the other  
in Olympia, Wash. -- that are 3,000 miles apart but at the heart of the  
debate over "gay marriage."

Both courts are considering separate cases that could result in the  
legalization of "gay marriage." New Jersey's court heard its case in  
February; Washington's court heard its case 14 months ago, in March  
2005.

Either one could hand down a decision any day.

[More at URL]


----- 19 -----
‘Net Neutrality’ Proposals Must Be Defeated
Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2728

May 19, 2006 – Congress is considering numerous proposals to regulate  
the Internet. At issue is a proposal that uses the term “Net  
Neutrality” – allegedly designed to protect the Internet.

The battle over innovation and change on the Internet is pitting  
broadband service providers against companies that sell online  
products. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like AT&T, BellSouth, and  
Verizon Communications want to expand from flat pricing and sell tiers  
of services based on the speed, reliability and security of the  
bandwidth used.

Proponents of net neutrality are using fear-mongering to get government  
regulation of ISPs. These advocates claim that ISPs will use new  
innovations to choke off competition on the web or stifle freedom of  
speech.

[More at URL]


----- 20 -----
Congress Must Pass ‘Holly’s Law’ On RU-486
Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2727

May 19, 2006 – On May 17, the House Government Reform Committee held a  
hearing on RU-486 and the dangers it poses to women. Testifying at this  
hearing was Monty Patterson, the father of Holly Patterson, the  
18-year-old girl who died from complications after taking RU-486.

Mr. Patterson supports passage of “Holly’s Law,” (H.R. 1079) that will  
pull the abortion pill from the market until a thorough investigation  
can be done to find out how the Food and Drug Administration approved  
this drug under the Clinton Administration. H.R. 1079 is sponsored by  
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD).

[More at URL]


----- 21 -----
Homosexuals Target State Races To Gain Political Power
Traditional Values Coalition

http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2724

May 19, 2006 – Homosexual activists are running for office at the state  
level in order to gain more political clout in imposing the homosexual  
agenda upon all Americans. USA Today reports that these efforts are  
being made to undercut efforts to pass laws banning same-sex marriage.

[...]

TVC has compiled a list of homosexual activists running for state or  
federal positions this year (  
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/pdf_files/gay_candidates.pdf )


----- 22 -----
Broadcast Decency Bill Passes the Senate!
Concerned Women for America
5/19/2006
By Amelia Wigton

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10797/CWA/misc/index.htm

      After months of hard work from citizen lobbyists, coalition  
leaders and thousands of concerned citizens around the country, the  
Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 (S. 193) passed by unanimous  
consent in the Senate during the evening session of May 18.

      "For concerned citizens who have ever called their representative  
in Congress and felt that their voice was not being heard, the passage  
of S. 193 truly validates their efforts. Individual citizens who call  
to express support for legislation that they care about do make a huge  
difference," said Lanier Swann, Concerned Women for America's (CWA)  
Director of Government Relations.

      Swann also said on the passage of S. 193 that, "This is a pivotal  
victory for families around the country, and we are thrilled!  
Broadcasters operate in the public square, and the public pushed for  
the passage of this bill to say that there are decency standards that  
must be adhered to."

      "We sincerely thank Senators Frist (R-Tennessee), Brownback  
(R-Kansas), Reid (D-Nevada), Stevens (R-Alaska), Inouye (D-Hawaii) and  
members of the Senate Commerce Committee for listening to the calls of  
the American people and working to pass this bi-partisan bill," said  
Swann.

[More at URL]


----- 23 -----
Referendum 65
Concerned Women for America
Washington State
5/17/2006

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10773/FIELD/nation/index.htm

Dear CWA of Washington Member,

In the CWA of Washington Winter Newsletter, I reported on several bills  
which we have been watching. One of those good bills passed (HB2468 re:  
adoption), while the others failed to move through committee. I also  
referred to the passage of HB2661 and mentioned that a referendum had  
been filed to reject that bill.

CWA has joined other organizations in support of Referendum 65 – a  
measure filed to revoke the bill (HB2661) that would add “sexual  
orientation” to the state’s law against discrimination in employment,  
housing, credit, insurance and certain contracts. In order to qualify  
this referendum for the November 7 ballot we need to collect 112,500  
signatures by June 1, 2006.

Bob Knight of CWA’s Culture and Family Institute has said, “The  
acceptance of ‘sexual orientation’ as a civil right is having profound  
effects on businesses and on American society as a whole. As the drive  
for acceptance of homosexuality increases, societal support for  
marriage and family decreases, with predictable negative consequences.  
One of them is a loss of freedom for people who believe in traditional  
morality. In California, for instance, employers who decline to  
subsidize homosexual relationships are not allowed to contract for work  
with the state government. In other words, devout Christians, Jews and  
Muslims who do not want their businesses used to advance what their  
faiths teach is a sin are told to choose between God and Caesar. This  
should not happen in America, the land of the free.

“‘Sexual orientation’ laws also lead directly to persecution of groups  
like the Boy Scouts, who were just thrown out of San Diego’s Balboa  
Park after operating a camp there for more than 40 years. The Scouts  
have been ejected from more than 50 United Way chapters around the  
nation after some cities and states passed “sexual orientation” laws.  
Proponents of such laws begin by asking for ‘tolerance,’ but quickly  
act intolerantly toward anyone who holds traditional values.”

In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Paul said,” And a servant of the Lord must not  
quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility  
correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them  
repentance, so that they may know the truth”.. If HB2661 stands, our  
freedom to lovingly rescue people out of the sin of homosexuality will  
be limited.

Please prayerfully consider your role in this cultural and moral  
battle. If you are able, collect as many signatures as possible and  
mail in the referendum by June 1 to R-65, P.O. Box 18250, Spokane WA  
99228. TIME IS SHORT – ACT NOW!!

Please consider sending a gift to CWA of Washington to help with this  
project. $1 would pay for your referendum! Thank you! (CWA of  
Washington, PO Box 143, Woodinville, WA 98072)


Sincerely,
Maureen Richardson
Washington State Director

P.S. If you want a copy of the referendum, please contact Maureen at  
director_wa_cwfa at hotmail.com or telephone 425-869-1923. If you are on  
our mailing list--we enclosed one with the newsletter that was mailed  
out last week. (PLEASE NOTE-Referendum 65 must be printed in an 11x17"  
format, NOT 8x11 and must be signed on the back by the one collecting  
signatures!)

In His Service,

Maureen Richardson

CWA of Washington State Director

P. O. Box 143 Woodinville, WA 98072 425-869-1923

For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org

[More at URL]


----- 24 -----
Pro-life MPs speak out
Focus on the Family Canada
Today’s Family News
May 19, 2006

http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/life/stories/051906_01.html

In a strong show of support for the pro-life cause, more than a dozen  
Liberal and Conservative MPs plus several Senators joined the annual  
March for Life last week on Parliament Hill.

And at least one of the pro-life MPs who was at the gathering is not  
ruling out some initiative, such as introducing a private member’s  
bill, as a way to try to reignite the debate in Canada over abortion

“There are always options for members of Parliament to put forward good  
initiatives on a range of subjects,” said Conservative Maurice  
Vellacott, the Globe and Mail reported.

Vellacott believes there is a “growing concern,” especially among  
women, over the fact that for 15 years now abortion in Canada has been  
unregulated.

“These are women that have actually had abortions and they feel they  
really had no choice, they were not properly informed,” he said. “There  
is a growing awareness of unwanted abortions in the country, wherein .  
. . a lot of the abortions that I gather women have had in the country  
are not so much by their own volition insofar as that they feel  
pressured by other circumstances.”

[...]

One issue highlighted at a news conference before the rally was the  
linkage between abortion and breast cancer. Guest speaker New Jersey  
surgeon Dr. Angela Lanfranchi blamed the ready access to abortion in  
part for the fact that the incidence of breast cancer has risen 40 per  
cent in the last 30 years.

“It’s the women of the Roe v. Wade generation that account for most of  
this increase,” she said. “Dramatic lifestyle changes brought about by  
the sexual revolution and the women’s liberation movement are largely  
responsible for the rampant breast cancer we see today.”

[More at URL]


----- 25 -----
Poor Judgment?
by Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst
Focus on the Family
May 18, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/commentary/a0040547.cfm

The president promised us judicial nominees who understand their role  
is to interpret law, not make it. Recent developments indicate he --  
and Senate conservatives -- might be growing less committed.

Judges in the mold of Scalia and Thomas. We heard it in 2000 from  
then-candidate Bush. We heard it again in 2004 from re-election-seeking  
President Bush. Conservatives approved and showed up in droves to vote  
on both occasions.

Now flash forward six years. Not exactly what we envisioned.

Earlier this week, Milan Smith, a California real-estate attorney, was  
confirmed by the Senate 93-0 for a seat on the ever-problematic 9th  
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- the notorious  
kids-can't-say-"under-God"-when-reciting-the-Pledge-of-Allegiance  
court. The brother of Oregon Republican senator Gordon Smith, Milan  
Smith has been described as a "moderate" Republican. When I hear that  
word to describe a Republican judge, I think Sandra Day O'Connor or  
Anthony Kennedy.

Shiver.

[More at URL]


----- 26 -----
Senate Passes Broadcast Decency Enforcement Bill
Majority leader bypasses roadblock to bring Brownback legislation up  
for a vote.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
May 19, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040567.cfm

Pro-family groups scored a huge victory Thursday night when the Senate,  
by unanimous consent, finally passed the Broadcast Decency Enforcement  
Act - S. 193.

"We're very pleased," said Daniel Weiss, senior analyst, media and  
sexuality, at Focus on the Family Action. "We've been fighting for this  
for more than two years. It is great news that the Senate finally moved  
on indecency legislation. We are looking forward to a time when the  
Federal Communications Commission finally has the ability to take  
effective action against unacceptable content on the airwaves."

If it becomes law, the legislation would increase fines for violations  
of federal broadcast-indecency standards tenfold -- raising the maximum  
penalty to $325,000 per violation.

[More at URL]


----- 27 -----
Still No Ruling in Washington Gay-Marriage Case
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
May 19, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040568.cfm

The Washington state Supreme Court has yet to rule on a challenge from  
19 gay and lesbian couples to the state's Defense of Marriage Act, the  
Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

[More at URL]


----- 28 -----
Same-Sex Benefits Will Be Allowed in Utah
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
May 19, 2006

http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040570.cfm

A Utah judge declared the state's constitutional amendment limiting  
marriage to one man and one woman does not keep Salt Lake City from  
offering benefits to same-sex partners, Gay.com reported.

[...]

In March, the city began offering unmarried employees the opportunity  
to include adult members of their households in their benefit plan. The  
program was challenged by Mayor Rocky Anderson.

[More at URL]


----- 29 -----
A Form of ID: The Two Sides of Intelligent Design
part 1 of 4 by David J. Hill
TrueU (Linked to by Focus on the Family)

http://www.trueu.org/dorms/stulounge/A000000458.cfm

If faith is hope in what is unseen, and the evidence for life from  
non-life is also unseen, then don't those who hold out hope for this  
evidence have faith? David Hill explains the role of faith in the  
conflict between Darwinism and Intelligent Design.

Science v. Faith?

For many Americans today, the gap between science and faith is enormous  
and getting bigger all the time. Most of us have been eyewitnesses to  
the long-standing struggle between the objective (sometimes sterile)  
reality of science and the subjective (sometimes mysterious) reality of  
faith. We cannot deny the existence or the importance of either side  
and yet, one seems to keep us separated from the other.

[More at URL]


----- 30 -----
The survey says what?
Sexual-orientation questions cause
stir at Port high school
By Tom Kertscher
May 15, 2006

http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/sexuality/survey-says.htm

Parents are angry and school leaders are promising action in response  
to a "Heterosexual Questionnaire," approved by two teachers, that asked  
students questions such as: "If you have never slept with someone of  
your same gender, then how do you know you wouldn't prefer it?"

Hundreds of Port Washington High School students were told to submit  
written answers and discuss the survey.

[More at URL]


----- 31 -----
Senator Luke Esser Campaign Kick-off Event
Faith and Freedom Network
Received May 15, 2006

[Received in email; no URL]

State Senator Luke Esser has been a good Legislator for the faith  
community in our state since 1998. Luke was one of 23 Senators who  
voted “NO” on the so- called “Gay Rights” House Bill 2661.

Due to his principled vote last session, the extreme secular left has  
made his defeat a top priority in the upcoming 2006 election.

Gary Randall, President, and Jon Russell, Field Director of Faith and  
Freedom will personally attend Senator Esser’s Campaign kick-off event  
on ...

Friday, May 19th at the Bellevue Double Tree Hotel.

The event will begin at 7:30AM and will include breakfast with special  
guest, Attorney General Rob McKenna. The cost for this event is $35 per  
person and all proceeds will go to help the re-election campaign of  
Senator Esser.

Faith and Freedom will be hosting a table at this event. If you would  
like to attend, please RSVP by Tuesday, May 16th, by contacting Jon  
Russell, Field Director, Faith and Freedom Network at  
j.russell at faithandfreedom.us or call 425-486- 6594.

Other Ways to Get Plugged In ...
Christian Legislator Looks for Campaign Team

If you are a home-school student between the ages of 16 and 18, and you  
live near the Puyallup or Spanaway area in Pierce County, Washington,  
then come be a part of an exciting opportunity and learn door-to-door  
political campaigning.

You can also get paid to help, while being part of a group of  
home-schooled kids reaching out to voters on behalf of a Christian  
State Representative.

If you are interested, please contact Jon Russell, Field Director, at  
j.russell at faithandfreedom.us, or call (425) 486- 6594.


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