[Active-seattle-l] [Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare
Update (1 of 2)
Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)
kahvi at murkworks.net
Sun Oct 29 11:50:04 PST 2006
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A lot of today's update is about election stuff, but one of the items
that most turns my stomach is Focus on the Family's happiness over the
Oklahoma City school board removing GBLT students from the school
system's anti-bullying policies. They say that GBLT students should not
be protected from students, teachers, and administrators who "do not
think homosexuality is part of God's design." This whole recent focus
on making it easier to _bully lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgendered
teenagers and children at school_ is one of the most petty and
revolting manifestations of the theocon hatred for GBLT people that I
have seen - and I've seen a lot.
A second theme in all the get-out-the-vote articles is the idea that
voting and voting, well, you know, GOP, is a religious mandate - that
it's biblically required. Again, it's part of the intentional
sectarianism push. Fun.
Anyway, today's news.
There have been a couple of theocon news items about this, but my
latest Microsoft shareholder proxy paperwork has a shareholder
initiative to remove sexual orientation from Microsoft's internal
corporate anti-discrimination policy. I'm not sure that they're buying
stock _for the specific intent_ of introducing anti-GBLT stockholder
resolutions, but if they _have_ stock, they're introducing them. This
one says that DP benefits endorses "relations [that] have been
condemned by the major traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
for a thousand years or more"; he also references the ban on lesbian
and gay people in the military while pretending it's not a full ban,
and oh yeah, fags are diseased and DP benefits for GBLT people hurt
marriage, and straights deserve protections queers don't;
Chief executive Bush campaigns against queers to rally the base in the
final days of the 2006 campaign;
Andrew Sullivan goes on the Hugh Hewitt show to talk about conservatism
and gets grilled for two hours about whether he's a real Christian or
not; meanwhile, Hugh Hewitt gets an assortment of Constitutional law
issues hysterically wrong;
Fundamentalist effort to "Save Wal-Mart from the Radical Homosexual
Agenda" - this in response to Wal-Mart's support for the National Gay
and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; remember, the "radical homosexual
agenda" is the right to do _anything_, such as run a business;
G.O.P. nationally moves to gaybashing in the final week of the campaign;
Remember the story a year or so ago, with <a
href="http://solarbird.livejournal.com/278772.html">the Tennessee
teenager</a> who thought his parents loved him more than they loved
their own sense of self-righteousness and shipped him off to an ex-gay
conversion camp when he came out to them? And then Tennessee said, '<a
href="http://solarbird.livejournal.com/314272.html">hey, you're running
an unlicensed mental health care facility</a>, you can't do that.'
Well, the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund fundamentalist legal team got
Tennessee to back off, so the "Love in Action" ex-gay conversion
therapy boot camp stays open;
New Jersey rejects Federal funding over abstinence-education funding
rules;
Focus on the Family article condemns _Lawrence v. Texas (2003)_, the
Supreme Court case ruling that you couldn't make gay people _illegal_,
in a story attacking law schools for putting too much emphasis on
international law;
Focus "we are oppressed" on the Family get-out-the-vote article
declaring themselves David vs. the "mocking, hostile and
life-destroying culture" Goliath; the outcome of this election "matters
to God, and it should matter to us";
Ohio fundamentalist takes Republican leaders to task for _not bringing
armageddon sooner_ and delaying the second coming of Jesus Christ;
Focus on the Family/Alliance Defense Fund update on two cases, one
where an anti-abortion protester was charged with violating a city
noise ordinance with amplified recording players outside a woman's
health clinic, another where the ADF is suing to let a "home for
troubled youth" receiving public funds continue to discriminate based
on religion - both are being called "religious liberty" cases;
Comprehensive-abortion-ban backers in South Dakota are running
commercials calling the complete ban an end to "abortion on demand,"
painting abortion as frivolous and casual;
It's not the main point of the article, but Focus on the Family quotes
an Evergreen Freedom Foundation wonk saying, "[The Washington State
Education Association] worked to fight a repeal of a ban on homosexual
preferences in the workplace" in an article condemning the NDA. This
would, as far as I can tell, be a reference to the GBLT civil rights
bill passed last year and the failed attempt to get enough votes to get
a repeal on the ballot. Note how "equal treatment" becomes
"preferences," or preferential treatment, when applied to GBLT people;
this is, of course, intentional;
Focus on the Family promotes 22 endorsement sheets ("voter's guides")
for the upcoming election;
FotF quotes President Bush's condemnation of the New Jersey Supreme
Court ruling stating that GBLT couples deserve equal legal treatment
under the New Jersey constitution, and handing it to the legislature to
figure out how to handle that (civil unions, marriage, whatever);
Focus on the Family likes celebrities when they're on their side;
***** Oklahoma City school officials remove GBLT students from the
anti-bullying policy; Focus on the Family applauds, saying that GBLT
students should not be protected from students, teachers, and
administrators who "do not think homosexuality is part of God's
design," claiming that a GBLT-inclusive anti-bullying policy
discriminates against anti-gay fundamentalists; this whole recent focus
on making it easier to _bully lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgendered
teenagers and children_ is one of the most petty and revolting
manifestations of the theocon hatred for GBLT people that I have seen;
Focus on the Family blames the ACLU for child porn on the web;
FotF main article against the New Jersey ruling, claims the court wants
to redefine marriage "out of existence";
Focus on the Family, National Day of Prayer get-out-the-vote and
get-out-the-prayers call for this election, supporting chief executive
Bush (and through implication his party);
FotF complains about people complaining about church and other
501(c)(3) political activities and endorsements;
Seattle Times article on theocon-backed Steve Johnson for Supreme Court
and incumbent Justice Susan Owens is quoted as an endorsement by Faith
and Freedom Network, calling out Steve Johnson's opposition to GBLT
marriage rights;
Faith and Freedom Network's condemnation of the New Jersey ruling; the
best part is where they say denying GBLT marriage rights isn't
discrimination since GBLT people are free to marry opposite-gender
partners. Presumably this is just like how banning the Star of David
wouldn't be religious discrimination since Jews would be free to wear
any crucifix they desired.
<lj-cut text="Articles and excerpts below">
----- 1 -----
Microsoft 2006 Proxy Statement
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
on November 14, 2006
[Received in paper mail]
[Ed. Note: this is a stockholder proposal. It does not have the support
of Microsoft corporate management. The board recommends a vote
_against_ the proposal.]
Shareholder Proposal No. 2
Mr. Thomas Strobhar, xxxx Upper Bellbrook Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385, has
notified the Company that he intends to submit the following proposal
at this year's Annual Meeting:
Whereas, our company seeks to hire the most qualified person and has
never had a policy discriminating against any person, or group of
persons, for any reason.
Whereas, it would be inappropriate and possibly illegal to ask a job
applicant or employee about their sexual interests, inclinations and
activities. [Ed. note: note here how there is no such thing as
"orientation," which is consistent with the fundamentalist line that
being GBLT is willful perversion.]
Whereas, it is similarly inappropriate and legally problematic for
employees to discuss personal sexual matters while on the job.
Whereas, unlike the issues of race, age, gender and certain physical
disabilities, it would be impossible to discern a person's sexual
orientation from their appearance. [Ed. note: note "certain," and note
the lack of inclusion of religious belief.]
Whereas, unless an employee chooses to talk about their sexual
interests or activities while working, the issue of sexual orientation
is, essentially moot. [Ed. note: note that there is no possibility of
simple mention of your _partner_, as, again, being queer is solely
about sex and of course there are no true relationships between people
like us.]
Whereas, according to the website of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC),
the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political
organization, "an inclusive non-discrimination policy (one that refers
to sexual orientation) is a key facet of the rationale for extending
domestic partner benefits.' The HRC adds, "Establishing a benefits
policy that includes your company's gay and lesbian employees is a
logical outgrowth of your company's own non-discrimination policy..."
Whereas, domestic partner benefit policies pay employee benefits based
on the employee engaging in unmarried, homosexual relations. These
relations have been condemned by the major traditions of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam for a thousand years or more.
Whereas, the Armed Forces of the United States is one of the largest
and most diverse organizations in the world. They protect the security
of us all while adhering to a "don't ask, don't tell policy" regarding
sexual interests.
Whereas, our company does not discriminate against tobacco users when
they apply for a job even though they are not protected by any
employment clause. It also does not pay tobacco users special benefits
based on the engaging in this personally risky behavior.
Whereas, those who engage in homosexual sex are at a significantly
higher risk for HIV/ADS and other sexually transmitted diseases;
Whereas, marriage between heterosexuals has been protected and
encouraged by a wide range of societies, cultures and faiths for ages.
Resolved: the shareholders request that Microsoft request that
Microsoft form a committee to explore ways to formulate an equal
employment opportunity policy which compiles with all federal, state
and local regulations but does not make a reference to any matters
related to sexual interests, activities or orientation. [Ed. Note: Ah!
First note to orientation.]
Statement: While the legal institution of marriage between a man and a
woman should be protected, the sexual interests, inclinations and
activities of all employees should be a private matter, not a corporate
concern.
----- 2 -----
Bush on late campaign blitz; gay-marriage stand draws big response
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske and James Gerstenzang
Los Angeles Times
Sunday, October 29, 2006
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003328791_bush29.html
SELLERSBURG, Ind. — At his first campaign rally this election season,
President Bush on Saturday galvanized supporters in a packed
high-school gym by pledging to oppose gay marriage, a theme Republican
candidates have revived after a New Jersey court ruling in favor of gay
couples.
"Activist judges try to define America by court order," Bush told the
crowd of 4,000 at Silver Creek High School, flanked by local Rep. Mike
Sodrel, R-Ind., who is running for re-election. "Just this week in New
Jersey, another activist court issued a ruling that raises doubt about
the institution of marriage. We believe marriage is between a man and a
woman."
At that, the crowd went wild, members shouting "USA," stomping feet and
shaking pompoms.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Andrew Sullivan on The Conservative Soul
The Hugh Hewitt Show
10-25-06 at 11:58 PM
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/Transcript_Page.aspx?
ContentGuid=1f05feeb-8739-495d-befb-5617d890b118
HH: Joined now by Andrew Sullivan, author of The Conservative Soul: How
We Lost It, How To Get It Back, in bookstores everywhere. I will link
it at Hughhewitt.com a little bit later. We’ve got Andrew for the next
hour and a half. Andrew Sullivan, welcome to the Hugh Hewitt Show.
AS: Thank you.
HH: Andrew, you’ve often been invited onto the program to debate about
something, and you’ve always declined. Why?
AS: I think twice I’ve been invited, and said…because I just had better
things to do, frankly, and I have a blog to fill all day long, and I
don’t think that you’re necessarily always the fairest of interviewers.
[...]
HH: Okay, I just was wondering, because there’s a lot of Con Law in the
book, and we’ll get to that. Are you a Christian?
AS: What kind of question is that?
HH: Well, you write a lot about your faith in here, and I would just…
AS: Well then, obviously I am.
HH: Well, I don’t know. I was going to ask. Do you think you are?
AS: Well, if you’ve read the book, you’ll surely know.
HH: Okay. Let me ask you this…
AS: Are you a Christian?
HH: Do you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead?
AS: Yes.
HH: Okay. And you’re a Catholic…
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Help Save Wal-Mart from the Radical Homosexual Agenda
savewalmart.com
Online as of 27 October 2006
http://www.savewalmart.com/introduction.asp
Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart was born in 1918 to a family of
farmers. While in the eighth grade, Mr. Walton became the youngest
Eagle Scout in Missouri's history (as an adult he received the
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scout's of America).
[...]
In 1985, Mr. Walton began a program aimed at ending communism in
Central America. He desired to promote capitalism and privatization
throughout the world. Part of his vision, which later became a reality,
was to offer scholarships to Central American students. These
scholarships would bring these students to the United States and enroll
them in <b>Christian</b> universities. He knew that
<b>Christianity</b> was the only way to end communism.
The Walton's supported various charities around the United States. The
Sam & Helen Walton Award was created in 1991 when the Walton’s gave a
six million dollar gift to the Presbyterian Church. This gift included
an endowment of three million dollars. This endowment provided annual
awards to new church developments that were working in creative ways to
share the <b>Gospel of Jesus Christ</b> in the local community. Not
ashamed of being a <b>Christian</b>, Mr. Walton, through Wal-Mart also
had a gospel group called "The Singing Truck Drivers" and a management
singing group called "Jimmy Walker and the Accountants".
God blessed Wal-Mart because Sam Walton chose to honor God and run his
business according to biblical principles.
<b>Then Something Happened!</b>
American businesses across the nation are being blackmailed by the
devil himself. They are being forced by the "politically correct"
dogma (abortion, homosexuality, etc) of our day to accept his terms.
If one chooses to defy this dogma, he will be forever branded as a
right-wing, bigoted fascist, bent on forcing his own religion
(Christianity) down everyone else’s throat. If the Church or any
business will not accept these terms, or truly honors God, there will
be hell to pay!
Now Satan has Wal-Mart in his line of fire!
[Ed. Note: <b>Bold</b> as in original]
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
G.O.P. Moves Fast to Reignite Issue of Gay Marriage
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
The New York Times
Published: October 27, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/us/politics/27marriage.html?
_r=1&oref=slogin
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 — The divisive debate over gay marriage, which
played a prominent role in 2004 campaigns but this year largely faded
from view, erupted anew on Thursday as President Bush and Republicans
across the country tried to use a court ruling in New Jersey to rally
dispirited conservatives to the polls.
Wednesday’s ruling, in which the New Jersey Supreme Court decided that
gay couples are entitled to the same legal rights and financial
benefits as heterosexual couples, had immediate ripple effects,
especially in Senate races in some of the eight states where voters are
considering constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage.
[...]
“Yesterday in New Jersey, we had another activist court issue a ruling
that raises doubts about the institution of marriage,” Mr. Bush said at
a luncheon at the Iowa State Fairgrounds that raised $400,000 for Mr.
Lamberti.
The president drew applause when he reiterated his long-held stance
that marriage was “a union between a man and a woman,” adding, “I
believe it’s a sacred institution that is critical to the health of our
society and the well-being of families, and it must be defended.”
The ruling in New Jersey left it to the Legislature to decide whether
to legalize gay marriage. Even so, the threat that gay marriage could
become legal energized conservatives at a time when Republican
strategists say that turning out the base could make the difference
between winning and losing on Nov. 7. With many independent analysts
predicting Republicans will lose the House and possibly the Senate,
President Bush’s political team is counting on the party’s
sophisticated voter turnout machinery to hold Democratic advances
enough that Republicans can at least maintain control.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Victory for Ministry Love in Action
Focus on the Family
October 27, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042477.cfm
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health agreed today to allow a
Christian ministry to continue its outreach to people who are unhappy
with their homosexuality.
In 2005 the state health department determined Love in Action to be a
"mental health supportive living facility" and told it to either obtain
a license or face possible closure.
Nate Kellum, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), said
after ADF filed a lawsuit on behalf of the nonprofit ministry, the
state acknowledged the licensing requirement could not be properly
applied to Love in Action as defined in the state's mental-illness
statute.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
New Jersey Rejects Abstinence Funding
Focus on the Family
October 27, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042478.cfm
New Jersey will not accept federal abstinence dollars since doing so
requires teachers to say that sex within marriage is best, the Kaiser
Network reported.
The state's health and education department sent a letter to the
federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that declines
about $800,000 in abstinence-education funds -- the first time the
state has declined such funds since 1997.
Fred Jacobs, the state health commissioner, said the requirements for
schools to teach abstinence until marriage are too limiting.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Colleges Stressing International Law
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
October 27, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042475.cfm
Harvard, Stanford and others spending more time on subjects that have
nothing to do with the U.S. jurisprudence.
Some of America's leading law schools — Harvard, Stanford and the
University of Michigan — are steeping first-year students in an
education with a decidedly international bent.
Instead of establishing American basics of law like contracts and the
Constitution, the schools are offering courses on global-law systems —
in some cases before students are told about American law.
Harvard, for instance, modified its first-year curriculum to include
global law because of the "imprint" the first year of study has on
students. University officials argue that postponing classes on
international law puts it in the category of an "add on."
That bothers David French, senior legal counsel for the Alliance
Defense Fund.
[...]
"We saw (Supreme Court) Justice Anthony Kennedy in the Lawrence v.
Texas decision on sodomy look to Europe and some of the courts of human
rights elsewhere to help him justify striking down a Texas law
prohibiting sodomy," he said.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Go Get Your Stone
Praying Scripture over the upcoming election is just as vital as
casting a ballot.
by Carrie Gordon Earll
Focus on the Family
October 27, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0042472.cfm
Are you praying for the November elections?
Like many Christians, I am.
Praying for elections is sometimes awkward because my allegiance isn't
to a political party; it's to God. Yet, Scripture tells us to pray for
those in authority (I Timothy 2:2), so pre-election prayer is more than
a suggestion. It's arguably a command.
The outcome of an election is important: Who has authority over us (in
the sense of elected or appointed public office) matters. It matters to
God, and it should matter to us. Our elected leaders determine the laws
and policies that impact our families, our religious liberties and our
social climate. Issues we care deeply about — life, marriage and
religious freedom — will be determined by these leaders. If we care
about these and other issues, praying is not optional.
[...]
----- 10 -----
Preacher says GOP delaying 2nd coming
Monday, October 09, 2006
Becky Gaylord
Plain Dealer Reporter
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/
116038288540580.xml&coll=2
Voters should oust congressional Republican leaders because U.S.
foreign policy is delaying the second coming of Jesus Christ, according
to a evangelical preacher trying to influence closely contested
political races.
K.A. Paul railed against the war in Iraq on Sunday before a crowd of
1,000 at the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, his first
stop on what he hopes is a 30-city campaign.
The Houston-based preacher said he believes that the Bush
administration has delayed the second coming because U.S. foreign
policy has blocked Christian missionaries from working in Iraq, Iran
and Syria.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
6th Circuit Considers Two Religious-Liberties Cases
Focus on the Family
October 26, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042461.cfm
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in two important
religious-liberties cases this week.
In Teen Ranch v. Udow, the Michigan Family Independent Agency stopped
placing young people with a home for troubled youth called Teen Ranch
because it incorporated "faith-specific tenets" in its programs.
Joel Oster, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF),
said the state treated Teen Ranch as a second-class citizen.
"State officials, confused about the meaning of the First Amendment,"
he said, "decided that religious organizations helping children in need
should not have the same opportunity to apply for public funding as
other organizations.”
In Gaughan v. City of Cleveland, officials arrested a pro-life advocate
outside an abortion clinic for playing a recording of a 9-1-1 call
involving the clinic’s owner. The audiotape was of abortionist and
clinic owner Martin Ruddock telling a 9-1-1 operator about a patient:
"I just can’t stop the bleeding. I can’t see what I’m doing and I want
her out of here."
The city said playing the tape violated a noise ordinance.
Jeff Shafer, senior legal counsel for ADF, said the city violated the
pro-lifer's First Amendment Rights.
"City officials should not be able to use unconstitutional so-called
‘noise ordinances,’ " he said, "to silence the free speech of pro-life
citizens."
----- 12 -----
Former Abortionist Backs S.D. Ban
Focus on the Family
October 26, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042464.cfm
Supporters of South Dakota’s abortion ban have unveiled a blockbuster
TV commercial in their campaign to convince voters to affirm the
legislatively enacted prohibition against ending preborn life.
The spot, which premiered Wednesday, features Dr. Patti Giebenk, an
M.D. who once performed abortions for Planned Parenthood in Sioux
Falls.
[...]
"I don’t think (unfettered access to abortion) is necessary," she says
in the commercial. "I think its time has passed."
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
Supreme Court to Weigh NEA Dues
Some teachers object to being forced to support liberal lobbying by the
teachers union.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
October 26, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042459.cfm
In the upcoming fall term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear an
important case for pro-family teachers who don't want to be forced to
hand money over to the National Education Association (NEA) to further
its liberal political agenda.
[...]
Michael Reitz, an attorney with the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, said
the political leanings of the NEA are abundantly clear.
"Just this year," he said, "they’ve been fighting a repeal of the
estate tax, they worked to fight a repeal of a ban on homosexual
preferences in the workplace and they’ve been doing a lot of other
things that have really little to do with education."
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Voter Guides Available from State Family Policy Councils
See what candidates think about the issues in 22 states.
by Stuart Shepard, managing editor
Focus on the Family
October 26, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042460.cfm
Many of the independent state-level family-policy councils associated
with Focus on the Family have prepared voter guides for the upcoming
election and made them available online.
The purpose of the guides is to help voters make informed decisions on
Election Day based on where candidates stand on important issues. They
are perfectly legal to share with family, friends or fellow church
members.
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Bush Decries N.J. Marriage Ruling
Former governor hopes to wed same-sex partner.
by Gary Schneeberger, editor
Focus on the Family
October 26, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042466.cfm
President Bush criticized the New Jersey Supreme Court today for
ordering the state Legislature to grant homosexual couples the same
rights as married couples – either by passing a law legalizing same-sex
marriage or by creating civil unions.
"We believe in family values. We believe values are important," Bush
said during a speech in Des Moines, Iowa. "And we believe marriage is a
fundamental institution of civilization.
"Yesterday in New Jersey, we had another activist court issue a ruling
that raises doubts about the institution of marriage. I believe that
marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and I believe it's a
sacred institution that is critical to the health of our society and
the well-being of families, and it must be defended.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Celebs Speak Out for Life in Missouri
Focus on the Family
October 25, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042454.cfm
While actor Michael J. Fox is appearing in TV ads trying to garner
votes for candidates who support destructive embryonic stem-cell
research, pro-life celebrities are countering the message with truth,
LifeSiteNews reported.
Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, appears shaky in ads touting the need
for more of the controversial research.
[...]
Jeff Suppan, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, urges Missouri
residents not to be deceived.
"Amendment 2 claims it bans human cloning," he says in the ad. "But in
the 2,000 words you won't read, it makes cloning a constitutional
right."
Kurt Warner, former quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, pointed out how
it's been tried before.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Sooner State School Officials Remove Sexual-Orientation Language
Focus on the Family
October 25, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0042453.cfm
The Oklahoma City Public School District has removed language from an
anti-bullying statute that listed sexual orientation as protected
class, after concerned citizens pointed out the statute didn't fall in
line with state and federal law, The Associated Press reported.
The state Legislature passed anti-bullying legislation after the 1999
shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Soon after, the
Oklahoma State Board of Education -- separate from the legislative move
-- added the "sexual orientation" to the classes protected from
discrimination.
[...]
All students should be protected from bullying, he said, but giving
special recognition to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgendered creates discrimination and intolerance directed
toward students and faculty who do not think homosexuality is part of
God's design.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Child-Porn Sites Reported to the U.S. Rarely Shut Down
More than half of them appear to be hosted here.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
October 25, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042448.cfm
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) says it has reported about 15,000
U.S.-based child-pornography Web sites to authorities over the last
decade, but with little impact. The same group shared nearly identical
information about sites hosted in the United Kingdom, and the problem
was virtually eliminated there.
[...]
"We know where these sites are, and we know how to take them down. The
real question is why aren't we taking these sites down that we know
exist?" he asked. "Basically, because you have the ACLU arguing — and
the federal government often agreeing — that it's unconstitutional to
protect our kids online."
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
New Jersey High Court Tells Lawmakers to Redefine Marriage
Conservatives say today's ruling in favor of same-sex unions must
motivate values voters to get to the polls.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
October 25, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0042450.cfm
The New Jersey Supreme Court today said it found no basis in the state
constitution for limiting the benefits of marriage to one man and one
woman. The court also told the state Legislature to create a legal
union for gay couples within six months — either marriage or domestic
partnerships.
Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, called
the decision a "travesty."
"The New Jersey Supreme Court has blatantly and arrogantly ordered the
state Legislature to rip up what marriage has meant for thousands of
years," he said. "The justices have made clear their disdain and
disrespect for the true decision makers in our democracy — the people —
as well as for the institution of marriage."
[...]
"We only hope the residents of the eight states who will vote on such
amendments on Nov. 7 recognize that their state may be only one court
ruling away from being forced to accept gay marriage — just as we've
seen in Massachusetts and New Jersey," he said. "Nothing less than the
future of the American family hangs in the balance if we allow one-man,
one-woman marriage to be redefined out of existence.
"And, make no mistake; that is precisely the outcome the New Jersey
Supreme Court is aiming for with this decision."
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Don't Forget to Pray for Election Day
The National Day of Prayer Task Force urges all believers to petition
God about the outcome of Nov. 7's races.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0042421.cfm
The National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force is urging all American
Christians to pray for the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections.
Jim Weidmann, vice chairman of the NDP Task Force, said the Pray for
Election Day campaign is aimed at helping citizens understand their
role in the electoral process.
"In a Christian nation, we have the biblical responsibility as well as
the patriotic responsibility to cast our vote for those who govern us,"
he said. "We want people to spend time praying that those who are
elected will align themselves with God's laws. We also want them to get
out and vote so the Christian understanding is captured in the vote."
[...]
Some Christians may feel like Congress and President Bush haven't
accomplished much in the way of legislation backed by values voters,
but Weidmann said that means it is even more important to be involved
in the process — especially with so many states voting on ballot
measures on such important topics as protecting one-man, one-woman
marriage.
"We're really trying to say, 'Don't be discouraged,' " Weidmann noted.
"Let's try to get to the polls and encourage our friends to go to the
polls and vote for those that align with what you believe."
[...]
President Bush is a prime example of the power of prayer for elected
officials, he said.
"He is very, very open in talking about his dependence on those who
pray for him," Weidmann said. "He tells us that he gets his strength to
continue on with everything that he's had to deal with and his ability
to think clearly from the prayers of the people that are praying for
him."
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
Churches Under Attack as Election Nears
Liberal groups looking to intimidate values voters into staying home
Nov. 7.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
October 23, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042420.cfm
With Election Day just two weeks away, liberal activists are ramping up
their efforts to silence Christians and keep churches from exercising
their constitutional right to speak out on issues.
Among those under attack: churches in Wisconsin and Montana that
commented on marriage-protection amendments and a pastor in Minnesota
who personally endorsed a candidate.
[...]
Conservative commentator David Limbaugh told Family News in Focus if
social conservatives fail to engage the electoral process, it could
mean the redefinition of marriage, advances in abortion rights and a
host of other cultural defeats.
"Don't be duped into staying at home," he said, "because if you do, you
will have on your hands — on your conscience — the knowledge that you
are contributing to the demise of this culture."
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Thank You, Seattle Times
Faith and Freedom Network
Friday, October 27, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/10/thank-you-seattle-
times.html
In a recent article entitled, “Supreme Court Race: Candidates’ Views
Easy to Tell Apart,” the Seattle Times did the Puget Sound area, as
well as the State of Washington, a valuable service.
Often voters have difficulty defining exactly what judicial candidates
are all about. We have done all we could do to inform voters and now
are grateful that the Times has used their influence to further inform
in ways that and to an extent that we cannot.
The Times says, “Voters have a distinct choice in the Supreme Court
race between incumbent Justice Susan Owens and State Sen. Steve
Johnson.”
Indeed they do. And the Times endorses Johnson. The Times says that
Owens has endorsements from labor unions, environmentalists, gay-rights
groups and Democratic Party organizations, while Johnson, who has a
solidly conservative track record in the legislature, is backed by the
building industry, major business groups and social conservatives.
[Editor's Note: the article they are quoting is not an endorsement.
It's an article outlining the contrasts between the two candidates. <a
href="http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/
vortex/display?
slug=court18m&date=20061018&query=steve+johnson+supreme+court">Here is
a URL to the story they are quoting</a>.]
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
New Jersey Supreme Court Rules on Marriage
Faith and Freedom Network
Thursday, October 26, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/10/new-jersey-supreme-court-
rules-on.html
New Jersey’s Supreme Court, in their ruling on marriage yesterday, not
only mandated the state legislature to redefine marriage in that state,
but set a dangerous and telling precedent by encouraging and
instructing the plaintiffs.
In their 4-3 ruling, the majority said, “The legislature must either
amend the marriage statutes to include same-sex couples or create a
parallel statutory structure, which will provide for, on equal terms,
the rights and benefits enjoyed and burdens and obligations borne by
married couples.” And they told the lawmakers they have 180 days in
which to complete the task and re-write the state marriage laws.
The four justices who ruled in favor of same-sex marriage or its
equivalent, civil unions, said, “The issue is not about the
transformation of the traditional definition of marriage.” But it is.
[...]
Homosexuals have the same access to marriage as everyone else. Any
homosexual man or woman is free to marry. It’s just that marriage, as
an institution, is biblically and historically defined as between a man
and a woman. This is not only true in America, but is historically true
with all major religions and cultures.
The gay rights activists and their enablers sermonize that denying gays
marriage, deprives them of equal protection. That argument is false
because when we allow people of differing religion, race, gender or
sexual orientation to participate and share in categories defined
equally for all, discrimination does not exist.
[More at URL]
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