Defending Marriage in Troubled Times

by Harry R. Jackson, Jr.

Recently the Obama administration filed court papers claiming a federal marriage law, called The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), discriminates against gays. This was surprising because at the same time government lawyers have been instructed to defend it. In fact, Department of Justice Department lawyers are seeking to dismiss a suit brought by a gay California couple challenging the 1996 Act. The administration's legal strategy so angered gay activists that they claimed the president is backtracking on campaign promises.

http://townhall.com/columnists/HarryRJacksonJr/2009/09/02/defending_marriage_in_troubled_times?page=full&comments=true

American Mistra: Putting the Culture Back in the Culture Wars

by Matthew J. Milliner

The urgency of protecting the sanctity of life, the dignity of the human person, and the institution of marriage goes hand-in-hand with cultivation of the arts.

John Witherspoon (the man after whom Public Discourse’s sponsoring institute is named) was faced with a choice. His eighteenth-century Scotch-Presbyterian milieu was divided between two parties. The Popular party, which today might be called the conservative wing, displayed the rigorous thought that accompanied Calvinist orthodoxy. The Moderate party, the more liberal branch, was doctrinally compromising, but peppered sermons with generous helpings of poetry, drama and literature. Faced with these alternatives, the young Witherspoon picked a definite side and became the champion of the Popular party. Witherspoon perceived that the Moderate penchant for poetry was not a supplement to classical doctrine, but an attempt to replace it. He penned a widely read satire of the Moderates, wherein they recited an “Athenian Creed” which began, “I believe in beauty and comely proportions of Dame Nature…,” and ended with, “I believe in the divinity of Lord Shaftesbury, the saintship of Marcus Antonius,” and so on. Witherspoon was a serious man who chose hard thinking over sponsorship of the arts. On the matter of Christians attending the theatre he was clear: “Where [amusement] is not necessary, it must be sinful.”

http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2009/08/798

Statement of the Catholic Bishops of New York State on Marriage

The Bishops say: “ If there are injustices against those in relationships other than marriage, those injustices can certainly be reformed and corrected in a way other than by drastically redefining marriage.” This has been my position for some time. ~Jennifer Morse


We face today the prospect of a law in New York which would radically change the timeless institution of marriage. As pastors of citizens from every corner of our great state, we stand unified in our strong opposition to such a drastic measure.Throughout history, different cultures have had different customs regarding marriage. But the one constant has been the conviction that marriage is the union of a man and a woman in an enduring bond, ordered for the procreation and stable rearing of children. Regrettably, the state Assembly has voted to redefine what nature and our common heritage long ago defined for us. We fervently pray that members of the state Senate will stand firm in opposition to this ill-advised legislation, and we call on Catholics and all New Yorkers to contact their Senators to make their voices heard.
http://www.nyscatholic.org/pages/news/show_newsDetails.asp?id=485

Traditional marriage still popular in Penn.

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

A recent poll shows most Pennsylvanians support traditional marriage. The numbers show residents favoring one man and one woman as the definition of marriage, and the figures are very high among older Pennsylvanians.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=550166

Same-Sex Marriage Laws Pose Protection Quandary

Even the NYT is admitting that there may be conflicts between religious liberty and same sex marriage: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/23beliefs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Posted by Jennifer

Redefining Religious Liberty

Gay marriage and the conflict between church and state.
By Maggie Gallagher

Prop 8 won yesterday. Even in California, they could find only one supreme-court justice willing to strip 7 million people of their core civil right to amend the state constitution, guaranteed by the constitution itself. Why do I feel, absurdly, that I should be grateful?

Liberals who support gay marriage may understand what their movement is willing to endorse and where it draws the line. The rest of us have to sit back and wonder:Why stop at marriage? Many well-defined, seemingly secure words and terms can be redefined to help remake society along sexually liberal lines.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDQwMGU5ZjgwNmFiODcxZDgyNTAxYjVmYzY2ZjViOTY

Comments from Jennifer:
This quote helps explain why so many African Americans resist and resent the blithe equating of their civil rights movement with the demands for same sex marriage: (BTW, my recent podcast from Memorial Day includes interviews with an African American political candidate and pastor who make this argument.)

Actions are typically protected by liberty interests, not equality interests. Sexual liberty means I have the right to do what I want, not the right to be free from the knowledge that others disagree, or from their choosing to build institutions that teach that my sexual actions are wrong and exclude those who engage in them.

Equality is typically predicated on characteristics that do not imply actions, because actions are always choices. Skin color is irrelevant. And unchosen. Sexual orientation is almost certainly unchosen, but the decision to incorporate a sexual desire into one’s identity, and then to act on it, is a decision. Maybe most people think it’s the right decision, the healthiest decision, but the point is that it’s a choice, and subject to moral reflection. A sexual desire is not its own justification.

Friday Five: Marriage Advocate Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse

by Jennifer Mesko, editor

'I came to the conclusion that there was a real desire among college students for lifelong married love.'Most young people want to get married and stay married, research shows, but they don't have a clue how to do that.That's where Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse comes in.She founded the Ruth Institute to prepare students to stand up for marriage. It's affiliated with the National Organization for Marriage and focuses on educating, networking and motivating.The first Ruth Institute campus conference takes place in San Diego in August.

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010034.cfm

Conference planned to help students ‘speak the truth’ on natural marriage

San Diego, Calif., May 16, 2009 / 04:40 am (CNA).- A student conference on the importance of marriage and its defense is scheduled to take place this August in San Diego. It aims to bring together students and faculty who support natural marriage to help educate and motivate a new generation.

The conference, titled “It takes a family to raise a village,” is co-sponsored by the Ruth Institute and the National Organization for Marriage. It will be held at the University of San Diego from August 6 to 9 and is free to accepted students. Some travel assistance is also available.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15997

New Yorkers Divided On Marriage

Religious, Blacks Favor Tradition

By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin

As the New York state legislature considers altering the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, a Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday shows Empire State voters split on the issue.

A closer look at Quinnipiac’s data shows some fairly pronounced cultural divisions. While 46 percent of New York registered voters surveyed say they favor gay marriage and the same percentage say they oppose it, black voters oppose it 57 percent to 35 percent. White New York voters support it 47 percent to 45 percent.

“It’s not surprising to me that the black community in the aggregate is opposed,” Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Director Maurice Carroll said. “They tend to be church-oriented.”

Voters also tend to differ on the marriage issue according to religion. Fifty-three percent of New York’s Catholics are against it while 39 percent want to enact it and the state’s Protestants disfavor it 55 to 38 percent. Sixty-one percent of Jews support same-sex marriage while 34 percent oppose it.

http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/15/news/nation/doc4a0d524636ed0512522500.txt

“Rhode Island, Most Catholic State, Welcomes Gay Marriage”

BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN

That’s a headline we haven’t seen yet, dear readers, but probably will in the next couple of years. And, make no mistake about it – that’s exactly what the headline will say as the story makes its way around the state and across the nation.

The march toward gay marriage across our nation is relentless, and liberal New England is leading the way. The supporters of gay marriage in Rhode Island are well-organized and well-funded. They’re fiercely determined to impose their politically correct agenda on all the citizens of the state – human history, culture and moral principles not-withstanding. Anyone who opposes them is quickly labeled a bigot.

http://thericatholic.com/stories/2089.html

Choosing Truth Over a Tiara

Maggie Gallagher is president for the National Organization for Marriage.

Miss California’s answer to the political question asked of her by a judge was moving to the audience and the millions of new fans she now has for a simple reason: Her words were marked by genuineness, decency, a clear effort at civility, and great personal courage. The ugly response of her critics, especially Perez Hilton, is demeaning — but not to Carrie Prejean.

If politics and religion are inappropriate in a pageant, as Keith Lewis suggests, judges should not ask questions about hot-button political and moral issues. Carrie Prejean is a heroine to many because in that split second she had to decide, she chose truth over the tiara. It was an extraordinary moment.

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/new-battle-lines-on-gay-marriage/?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse#maggie

Miss California's Courage

from Brian Brown of National Organization for Marriage

It was, as a San Diego pastor friend of mine put it, a real "Queen Esther"
moment for Carrie [Prejean, Miss California]. Her faith was tested and she
passed with flying colors--she showed the whole world the crown that she is
really seeking, didn't she? How many others are taking inspiration from that
moment--taking renewed courage to show our convictions--to act to support
marriage?

Thanks to Carrie, 20 million or more young adults who support marriage have
a new voice for their views, and a new platform to reach out to their friends,
neighbors, peers. If Miss California has the courage of her convictions, how can
they--or any of us-- stay silent any more?

By the way, far more young adults are on our side on this issue than the
media would have you believe. In California, one of the most liberal states in
the nation, 45 percent of young adults voted for Prop 8. Is it so hard to
imagine persuading another 5 to 10 percent of young people about the importance
of marriage as the union of husband and wife? Thank you, Carrie, for launching a
youth counter-revolution on marriage!

Perez Hilton, the "celebrity blogger" who asked the question, clearly
thought he would manufacture yet another gay marriage moment. Well he did, but
not in the way he thinks. Thank you Perez Hilton for giving us
Carrie Prejean.

Loaded question

Sheila Liaugminas

They’ve always said the Miss America and Miss Universe pageants were about more than beauty.
In recent years, several contestants from the states have taken considerable heat for their principles or stated values on social issues, usually related to abortion and even chastity education.
Suddenly, this year’s pageant has erupted into a news story because of a ‘controversial answer one of the contestants gave to a question about homosexuals and marriage, said a news tease on one of the networks.

http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/loaded_question/

Miss California Speaks Out

Miss California Carrie Prejean appeared on Neal Cavuto's show on FOX News to talk with him about the pageant and if she believes that her comments on gay marriage cost her the Miss USA crown. Prejean says that she feels sorry for Perez Hilton, that she prays for Hilton, and that she was "blessed" to be asked the question that probably cost her the title in the first place.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=499704

Amendment Gives Religious Organizations Exemption To Same-Sex Ruling

By DANIELA ALTIMARI

State legislators on Wednesday approved a measure that strives to strike a balance between the rights of gay couples and the rights of religious institutions that object to same-sex marriage.

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-same-sex-marriage-0423.artapr23,0,3521923.story

The Institution Formerly Known As Marriage

by Jennifer Roback Morse

The Iowa court’s recent decision does not simply broaden marriage, it radically changes its nature. While marriage previously served public purposes of attaching mothers and fathers to their children and one another, now marriage merely serves as affirmation of adult feelings.

http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.04.24.001.pdart

Holy Matrimony, Holy Trinity

James Tonkowich

Last week was a tough one for proponents of traditional marriage. Iowa and Vermont were added to the list of states legalizing same-sex marriages. Vermont—where those who favored same-sex marriage were estimated to have outspent the opponents by twenty to one—is the first state to legalize these relationships by a vote of the legislature rather than the actions of a court.
These decisions from a Christian point of view misunderstand not only marriage, but what it means to be human.

http://www.theird.org/Page.aspx?pid=1003

DOMA at risk in District of Columbia

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

In a preliminary vote, the District of Columbia city council has approved recognition of legal, same-gender "marriages" from other states. If it is approved on a second vote, the measure moves to Congress. Congress would than have 30 days to act -- and if it reaches that stage, it would be in direct opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel does not believe that will be permitted in light of nationwide sentiment over homosexual marriage.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=493778

Iowa marriage ruling 'infects wholesome heartland'

Charlie Butts and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow

A Christian attorney and pro-family activist is ripping the Hawkeye State's highest court for manufacturing new law from thin air -- and in the process bringing West Coast immorality to the nation's heartland. Iowa residents are waking up to the reality of court-imposed same-gender "marriage." On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state's ban on homosexual marriage violates the constitutional rights of homosexual couples. That decision makes Iowa the third state where such unions are legal.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=479424

Terms hint at stances in gay marriage debate

By Dave Gram, Associated Press Writer

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Is it gay marriage or same-sex marriage? Genderless marriage or marriage equality?In the ongoing push to let gays and lesbians marry, the choice of terms provides a good clue of where the speaker stands.Assisted suicide vs. death with dignity. Estate tax vs. death tax. As with other hot-button social issues, the main course in the gay marriage debate comes with a side: a discussion of which words properly describe it."I think language is critical to any debate," says Vermont lobbyist Tim Meehan, who's not involved in the issue. "How you say it drives the train."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/states/vermont/2009-04-01-2338847866_x.htm

George on SSM and body-self dualism

Robert George responds to our conversation on same-sex marriage as follows:

I profoundly agree that [the SSM question] is not so simple or, at least, it is not simple in the way that people on the two sides seem to think it is simple. I say this for a particular reason. The debate is "simple" in this sense: If one, whether formally or merely implicitly, believes that persons are (whatever else we are) our bodies, and that we are not non-bodily persons (minds, consciousnesses, spirits) who inhabit and use nonpersonal bodies as extrinsic instruments, then one is likely to agree that the sexual intercourse of man and woman, inasmuch as it fulfills the behavioral conditions of procreation (whether or not the non-behavioral conditions happen to obtain), is capable of uniting them interpersonally and that bodily union, qua personal, is the indispensable foundation and matrix of the comprehensive (bioloogical, emotional, dispositional, rational, spiritual) union that marriage is. In other words, one will affirm marriage as a one-flesh union. (And the Biblical teaching that in marriage a man and woman become one flesh will make sense to you. And the law's historic concern with consummation as an essential element of marriage will also make sense to you.)

http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2009/04/george-on-ssm-and-bodyself-dualism.html

Fiction and Faction

Iowa judges have imposed gay marriage on a state that voted against it.
By Andrew C. McCarthy

Faction is the eternal condition of mankind. “As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed,” wrote James Madison in Federalist No. 10. “As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the latter will attach themselves.”

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDJmY2FmODQ2ZDE5Mzc2NDYzNDljZDUyYzVhZDdhOGI=&w=MA

Married to Liberty?

Vermont and Rick Warren.
By Maggie Gallagher

Last week, the Iowa supreme court found a constitutional right to gay marriage, rejecting the arguments for marriage accepted by the state supreme courts of New York, Maryland, and Washington.Thus did the Iowa court, as my colleague at the National Organization for Marriage Brian Brown said, “misuse the law to impose an untruth on unwilling Iowans: Same-sex unions are not marriages and Iowans should not be forced to treat them as such by law.”

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=Y2I2YTIwNDg5Y2Y5NjgxN2I3MDhlYmIyNjYzNzE3Njc

The Future of Marriage

One of the great coups of the movement for same-sex marriage has been to plant the premise that it represents the inevitable future. This sense has inhibited even some who know perfectly well that marriage is by nature the union of a man and a woman. They fear that throwing themselves into the cause of opposing it is futile — worse, that it will call down the judgment of history that they were bigots.

Contrary to common perception, however, the public is not becoming markedly more favorable toward same-sex marriage. Support for same-sex marriage rose during the 1990s but seems to have frozen in place (at least according to Gallup) since the high court of Massachusetts invented a right to same-sex marriage earlier this decade.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTkyYThkODRiODg1MGI4OTI2NThkNGRiZjIzMDU0OGQ

Law, Feelings, and Religion at the Bar in Iowa

by Matthew J. Franck
April 07, 2009

The Supreme Court of Iowa’s decision to redefine marriage abandons reason and replaces it with feelings as the standard of public consensus.

What happens when judicial arrogance becomes so habitual as to become second nature? This past Friday, April 3, the Supreme Court of Iowa provided an answer: judicial arrogance transforms into smug self-deception. This is not the question the court thought it was answering. It claimed to be addressing the question of whether “exclusion of a class of Iowans from civil marriage”—namely the “class” of “gay and lesbian people” who wish to marry others of the same sex—can be justified by the state. But the opinion for a unanimous court in Varnum v. Brien, written by Justice Mark Cady, actually says very little about matters of such justification. By contrast, it speaks volumes about the extent to which American judicial power, having burst free of all constraints, is now in the grip of a banal routinization of tyranny so complete that the tyrants do not recognize their own character as they blandly overturn many centuries of civilization in a day’s work.

http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.04.07.001.pdart

Conservative Iowans fight to preserve traditional marriage

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

Traditional values groups are pressing the Iowa legislature to let the people decide the issue of homosexual "marriage."

Iowa Family Policy Council is lobbying lawmakers to pass a resolution to put the issue on the ballot. Spokesman Bryan English tells OneNewsNow that is after the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous ruling in favor of homosexual marriage on Friday.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=476914

Virginia To Teach Students Benefits of Marriage

It seems that the state of Virginia is on a roll this week. See The Christian Post. First Governor Tim Kaine approves the "Choose Life" specialty license plate, and now he has signed legislation which requires local schools to teach the benefits of marriage as part of Virginia's Family Life Education program.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=476522

Prop. 8 supporters persecuted for donations

Charlie Butts and Marty Cooper - OneNewsNow

Proposition 8 supporters continue to face harassment from same-sex "marriage" proponents...

The Washington Times reports attorney Charles LiMandri received hateful emails and phone calls after he gave $10,000 in support of traditional marriage. He says was called a homophobe, a bigot, and a Nazi. Even when he tried to explain that he was simply hoping to preserve traditional marriage, his opponents would not listen. So LiMandri collected the emails and filed a lawsuit on behalf of Prop. 8 supporters.

"We feel that the laws that require disclosure of contributors to a ballot initiative are being abused here because the opposition is basically targeting people to get this type of abuse, in some cases even getting their businesses boycotted and in some cases getting death threats," he notes.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=475012

Marriage traditionalists in the crosshairs

Charlie Butts and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest homosexual activist group in the nation, is targeting Mormons in Illinois who support traditional marriage.

Illinois is considering homosexual "marriage" and civil unions, so HRC is now challenging Mormons in that state after one ward sent an email to its members to oppose the legislation. Accusing the Church of Latter-day Saints of "fighting an anti-gay crusade" across America, the pro-homosexual group has called to action its Illinois-based supporters and asked them to confront the church for its "deceitful, fear-mongering tactics."

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=439300

Indiana marriage vote on hold

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

Indiana voters will not have a chance to amend their constitution to protect traditional marriage -- for now, at least.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=426412

Pro-marriage speech garners professor's profane wrath

Charlie Butts and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow

After being called a "fascist" by his professor, a Christian California student has filed suit against his college for violations of his free-speech rights. Less than a month after voters in California decided to amend their state constitution and protect traditional marriage, Jonathan Lopez -- in a public speaking class -- shared his beliefs on faith and marriage. David French of the Alliance Defense Fund picks up the story.

Continue...

Traditional marriage not a priority in Wyoming

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

Wyoming lawmakers have voted down a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage. WyWatch Family Institute launched a major campaign for passage, but the vote was 35 in favor to 25 against. Becky Vandeberghe heads the organization.

Continue...

Washington State hopes to keep marriage traditional

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow

Traditional values organizations continue to work to stop a domestic partnership bill in the state of Washington. The bill before lawmakers would provide domestic partnerships with basically the same benefits as married couples. Joseph Backholm, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, tells OneNewsNow there was a recent committee meeting in the House.

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How You Can Help Stop Future Intimidation

If you were among the many Prop 8 donors or volunteers who suffered any harassment or intimidation during and after the campaign to restore the definition of marriage in California, we need your help. Please send a confidential email to Sarah Troupis at the Law Offices of Bopp, Coleson, and Bostrom (stroupis@bopplaw.com). If you wish to contact her by phone, her number is 812-232-2434.

ProtectMarriage.com has filed a lawsuit in Federal court challenging the California law requiring the disclosure of personal information of campaign donors. This law has been abused by proponents of same-sex "marriage" in an effort to discourage future public opposition. Marriage supporters will not be intimidated. However, the law must be changed before the next election.

A request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the disclosure of donors who gave between $100 and $999 since October 18 was denied. This was not unexpected (see details below). However, the judge did grant a Protection Order to prevent public disclosure of names of people who report being subjected to harassment or intimidation.

The attorneys representing us want to file as many examples of harassment as possible to demonstrate how widespread was the harassment both during and after the campaign. They have asked me to appeal for your help. The examples they are looking for not only include those related to donations, but also examples of verbal or physical abuse, threats to persons and businesses, and destruction of signs and other property. Remember, under order of the court, you can do this on a confidential basis.

For more information and updates on this matter, click here.

Unions display their anti-marriage colors

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 2/2/2009

California unions have combined forces in hopes to overturn Proposition 8.

In November, voters in California passed Prop. 8, which amends the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Now many of the state's unions have filed a brief before the California Supreme Court to overturn it. The brief, according to a Pacific Justice Institute press release, claims Prop. 8 "would strip one class of citizens of a fundamental right."

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Nigeria favors traditional marriage, loses funding

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 2/1/2009

A division of the European Union that deals with "gay" rights has demanded that all foreign aid to Nigeria be suspended after the government voted not to recognize homosexual "marriage."

The Nigerian vote to protect traditional marriage was unanimous. Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel says it is unfortunate the European Union adopted its stance.

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Why Marriage is Inherently Heterosexual

by Patrick Lee

A recent story in Newsweek claimed that the only reasons for opposing same-sex “marriage” are religious. But there are powerful arguments for marriage rooted not in faith but in reason.

In the December 15th edition of Newsweek, both Jon Meacham in his editor’s note and religion editor Lisa Miller in her front-page article mock arguments from scripture. At the same time, they invoke that same Bible’s authority for a “more general” message of “inclusivity,” in order to lobby for making gay marriage a sacrament. Meacham and Miller paint all opposition to the radical re-definition of marriage as hateful bigotry, comparing it to racism, and labeling appeals to the authority of the Bible against homosexual “marriage” and homosexual acts as fundamentalism. Indeed Meacham goes further: it is “the worst kind of fundamentalism.” How much worse than suicide-bombings and beheadings he does not make clear.

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Voters in Wyoming push for traditional marriage amendment

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/29/2009

Traditional values groups in Wyoming are pushing a proposed constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage in spite of opposition from top political officials. The proposal has a good deal of support from the people, but not from state politicians. Becky Vandeberghe of WyWatch Family Institute tells OneNewsNow about results of a survey of registered voters.

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Dr. Morse radio interview

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse was on Dateline Radio America, Tuesday, January 27. Listen here.

Next up for marriage amendment - Indiana

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/17/2009

Indiana wants the people to decide on a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

The Indiana Family Institute is at the helm of the drive. Spokesman Curt Smith admits efforts in the past have not been successful.

Continue...

What Children Really Need

by Marcia Segelstein

In case you missed it, there’s a study out confirming what may seem like basic common sense.

Children raised by both biological or adoptive parents, and who attend religious services on a regular basis, have fewer behavior problems, better social development, demonstrate more respect for teachers and other adults, get along better with other kids, show an understanding of other people’s feelings, and are better at resolving conflicts with family and friends.

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WALL: A mandate for traditional, not gay, marriage

Black voters sent a 'mixed' message

Homosexual marriage is not a civil right guaranteed by the Constitution - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are. In fact, traditional marriage isn't even a civil right. But don't try telling that to the gay-rights activists who have descended upon the left coast to protest the passage of California's Proposition 8. Most telling is the outrage by these activists, the media and at least one washed-up celebrity being hurled at black voters in California. At the same time 95 percent of black Americans were casting their ballots for Barack Obama, black Californians, at a ratio of more than 2-to-1, rejected homosexual marriage by passing Prop 8. The "people" - not the politicians or the activist courts - have spoken. But liberals can't leave well enough alone.

In San Francisco, signs of protest read: "Marriage is for everyone." No, it is not. With that logic, we could marry off children (say 8 or 10 years old) or "kissing cousins." Marriage, as clearly defined through the ages, is between one man and one woman. You don't need a constitutional amendment for that - it is inherently implied commonsense.

Another protest sign read: "No on Hate." Disagreement does not equate to hate. Opposition to homosexual marriage has nothing to do with discrimination and activists need to stop mixing the two. Whether a person's rights are violated based on discrimination is a wholly separate issue and should be handled that way. Tolerance doesn't preclude clearly defined lines between what is and is not acceptable in modern society.

Most fervent - and troubling - of this debate though is the bubbling race war between white liberals and black conservative Democrats. Comedian Roseanne Barr (who knew she still existed?) wrote on her Web site this week: "they [black Californians] are just as bigoted and ignorant as their white Christian right wing counterparts." And she is just as ignorant as the activists who equate civil rights and gay rights.

Black civil and religious leaders - rightfully - have expressed outrage at the gay community's co-opting "civil rights" to include gay sex. Blacks were stoned, hung, and dragged for their constitutional right to "sit at the table." Whites - gay or not - already had a seat at that table. There is no comparison. Activists argue that, like skin color, gays don't choose their lifestyle. Even if, for the sake of argument, that were so, homosexuals are still "choosing" to get married. To compare voters denying what is not a right to blacks dying for what is - is beyond the pale.
The media hasn't helped. One news headline trumpeted: "Who is to blame?" (for this apparent voter lapse in judgment). When the public has so clearly spoken on the issue of gay marriage (just as they gave Mr. Obama a mandate), why would the media suggest something is wrong with voters? Is there blame for voting for Mr. Obama?

Read the rest of this article here.

Are you available to stand with your friends in support of marriage?

One of the Ruth Institute’s good friends in San Diego, Mary Kuyper, has organized this, peaceful, legal demonstration. Everyone, please consider going.
~Dr. Morse

Tomorrow Sat Nov 15 there will be a huge national day of protest against prop 8. Cities across the nation will be protesting at 10:30am pacific time.

Here in San Diego, there will be a protest/march against prop 8 starting at 6th and Upas to the SD Co Admin Bldg. At 1pm, there will be a no on 8 rally at the SD Co Admin bldg.

Please see details at this link: http://protest8sandiego.wordpress.com/

Are you available to stand with your friends in support of marriage?

This will be a peaceful and mostly silent stance to show the opposition/press that we stand-fast for traditional marriage AND the will of the people who recently voted for prop 8.

If you can join us at 12:30am near the Sd Co Admin Bldg. please email marykuper@cox.net for additional details.

For those of you receiving this email out of town, there will most likely be a protest in your City also.

Silence = acceptance. Not on my watch! Are you in?

There are penalties for blocking or damaging churches.

"FACE" stands for "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances" Act. There are both state and federal versions of this law, and they provide draconian penalties for interfering with access to abortion clinics. But, as a sop to conservatives, they also provide the same penalties for obstructing access to or damaging churches. There are both criminal and civil penalties, meaning that you don't have to rely on the DA to file charges; if you can catch the person or persons responsible, you can sue them and get statutory damages and attorney fees.

Envelopes with white powder were sent to the Knights of Columbus and the Mormon Church.

This is a terrorist act, no matter what the powder turns out to be: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081114/news_1n14region.html

Letters containing white powder were sent yesterday to Mormon temples in Utah and California.

The Los Angeles temple, site of a recent gay rights protest, closed yesterday after receiving the envelope.

In Salt Lake City, powder spilled from an envelope onto a clerk's hand at the downtown temple. The room was decontaminated. The clerk showed no signs of illness, but the building was closed for more than an hour. Protests have targeted the Mormon church, which encouraged its members to fight for the recently passed amendment banning gay marriage in California. Both incidents are under investigation.

Also yesterday, a California activist filed a complaint with the state agency that regulates campaign activity, accusing the Mormon church of not reporting the value of the work it did to support Proposition 8.

http://deseretnews.com/article/content/mobile/1,5620,705263061,00.html?printView=true

Preliminary tests have found that a white powdery substance found in an envelope mailed to LDS Church headquarters is not hazardous, the FBI said.

"There is no known toxins or biological agents," FBI Special Agent Juan Becerra told the Deseret News.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' First Presidency issued a statement Friday urging respect and civility in public discourse. Gay rights groups are also condemning the threats.

Lab tests were conducted overnight to determine whether the powder that slipped out of an envelope opened in the annex of the Salt Lake Temple was ricin, anthrax, smallpox or any other deadly toxin. They came back negative, but further tests were being conducted on Friday by state health officials, Becerra said.

The FBI on Friday also said it has labeled their probe into the suspicious substances as a domestic terrorist investigation.

"Obviously it instills fear in the public eye and causes people not to feel safe," Becerra said. "It is illegal to mail something out and to threaten the use of a biological weapon or even pretend it's a biological weapon."

The LDS temples in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles received envelopes on Thursday containing a white powdery substance. So did the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization based in New Haven, Conn. Both organizations were heavy backers of Proposition 8, the measure in California that narrowly passed Nov. 4, banning same-sex marriage.

The FBI said it is a "strong possibility" that all three letters are linked, but federal investigators reiterated they have no information to point a finger of blame at the proposition and its opponents.

"The evidence does not lead to that right now and it would be irresponsible to say anything otherwise," Becerra said.

He would not say if federal agents had identified any suspects. No one has claimed responsibility for the mailings.

In a statement, the First Presidency of the LDS Church said that since the Nov. 4 election, places of worship have been targeted with protests and vandalism.

"People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation," the statement said. "The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America." The LDS Church said it was keenly aware of the "differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive manner," but the First Presidency expressed disappointment in what it has seen since Prop. 8 passed.

"We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other," the statement said.

In its own statement, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center decried the threats.

"While the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center organized a peaceful demonstration against the involvement of the leadership of the Mormon Church in the deceitful Yes on Prop. 8 campaign, we decry the use or threat of violence," said Darrel Cummings, the center's chief of staff. "Just as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community seeks the right to be treated equally under the law, all Americans should have the right to live lives free from fear and violence."
The gay rights group Equality Utah also issued a statement Friday condemning violence, vandalism or intimidation.

"During such an emotional time, where wounds run deep, we must remind ourselves of the greater good," executive director Mike Thompson said. "We must make efforts to forgive where forgiveness is needed and fix what needs to be fixed. We must find ways to work together — families in our community are depending on us. As the LDS Church stated, we can build a better society. Equality Utah is committed to doing just that."

Thompson reiterated his call for the LDS Church to work with them on gay rights legislation including medical rights, housing and employment rights and domestic partnerships that past church statements said LDS leaders did not oppose.

"Equality Utah remains confident that the LDS Church will be true to its past public statements that it is not anti-gay," Thompson said.

LDS temples in California, Salt Lake City and New York have been the subject of mass demonstrations over the faith's heavy involvement in the campaign to pass Proposition 8. More demonstrations are planned this weekend over marriage and gay rights — including a pair of demonstrations in Salt Lake City.

"This is not how Americans behave."

Maggie Gallagher, the president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, comments on the recent Palms Springs protest:
http://www.criticalmention.com/components/url_gen/play_flash.php?clip_info=708048533060%5e708049292060%5e708050405060&autoplay=1


The Sacramento Bee (which opposed Prop 8) is now saying that the protesters have gone too far: http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/story/1393123.html

'A Democrat who rejects gay marriage'

Social conservatives took heart in the 2008 elections with bans on same-sex marriage approved in three states.

Baptist Press, which looks at national news through the interests of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest protestant denomination, has a detailed analysis today on where the battle over same-sex marriage will be centered now -- state legislatures.
Assistant editor Michael Foust, focuses on New York where three newly-elected Democrats say they may not even allow any gay marriage discussion to reach the state senate floor.

Foust's Election Digest cites comments from one of them, Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, who is also a Pentecostal minister, in the Washington Examiner.

... Where is it written that if you do not support gay marriage you are not a good Democrat? I have always been a Democrat. I remain a Democrat, and I will continue to be a Democrat. A Democrat who rejects gay marriage and abortion based upon my beliefs.

It appears that the battle over same-sex marriage will be trench warfare for the foreseeable future. And you won't be able to tell who is on what side by the party "uniform."

Do you think people who voted "straight ticket" for Democrats or Republicans knew what might happen? Or have party labels become like religious denominational brands -- diluted by people who don't know or don't care about the "platform," the doctrines, of the faith?

Do you have any beliefs that don't line up what people assume your "identity" is as a Democrat, Republican, Baptist, Catholic, Jew, Muslim, etc.?

Radical homosexuals plan day of 'intolerance'

Activist homosexual leaders are planning a day of protest this Saturday over losing the traditional marriage battles in three states. The homosexual movement for special rights has become louder, and in some cases violent, in the aftermath of losses at the ballot box in Florida, Arizona, and California.

Florida Family Association notes the increased intensity in rhetoric from the self-proclaimed "champions of tolerance" and diversity. The National Day of Protest's logo is a clenched fighting fist and features phrases such as "Fight the H8" (Fight the Hate) and "Ready to Rumble." Florida Family Association notes the irony in that the homosexual movement that formerly preached diversity and tolerance has now become increasingly disorderly and aggressive, even intolerant, of supporters of traditional marriage by vandalizing property and staging protests at and inside churches. Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel says the demonstrations ought to be taken seriously, especially this Saturday.

"There have been threats of church burnings. There have been threats of violence, even murder against Christians," he explains. "There has been vandalism already of a number of churches."

According to an alert issued by the Florida Family Association, the "radical gay leaders" have two goals in mind through the upcoming protest: one being to normalize homosexuality in all areas of American society, and the second being to "silence everyone who disagrees with them." The notice adds that the homosexual activists are refusing to accept the final vote as an expression of the will of America's people.

"It really amounts to homo-fascism, and so what we're seeing [is] they don't want to let the democratic process play out," Barber adds. "These people are anti-democracy, clearly."

Florida Family Association also believes the radical homosexual agenda is "unapologetically 'me' centered" and does not feature discussions about what is best for families, children, or the common good of society. Barber points out the Bible's contrasting view. "Scripture says specifically, of people who are trapped in the homosexual lifestyle, ...that they are given over to a reprobate mind," he concludes. (See Romans 1:27-29)

Elderly Prop. 8 supporter roughed up, filing charges

An elderly California woman will file charges against homosexuals who attacked her during a protest against the passage of Proposition 8. Last Friday evening, homosexual activists and their supporters gathered at the Palm Springs City Hall, protesting voter approved Prop. 8, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Phyllis Burgess went to the rally, and carried a Styrofoam cross through the crowd.

As ABC affiliate KESQ-TV carried that rally live, homosexuals surrounded the 69-year-old woman, began pushing her, reportedly spit on her, and grabbed the cross from her arms and threw it on the ground. (See video report)

Burgess remained calm throughout the melee. "I was really so overflowing with peacefulness in my heart that I just couldn't see this," she says. "It wasn't in my mind, it really wasn't." Initially, Burgess said she did not want to file charges, but changed her mind after authorities encouraged her to do so (see related video). She says she went to the rally "just to get my remarks across at my city hall, where I have lived for 30 years." She adds: "If it takes endangerment, should that stop me? I'm a senior -- we respect elder abuse in this city."

Police are reviewing video in hopes of identifying suspects. Charges would be assault and vandalism, both misdemeanors.

The 'true face' of opponentsRandy Thomasson of the Campaign for Children and Families says the attack on Burgess is one of many incidents in California directed at supporters of traditional marriage. He notes that, among the rage and shouting displayed at the rally, protestors also used the "n-word" against black people. Thomasson equates their behavior with a toddler's temper tantrum, saying that homosexuals are demonstrating their deep intolerance for not only people who believe real marriage exists between a man and a woman, but also for people of faith and color. "

America needs to see the true face of the homosexual activists who are intolerant against people of faith and anyone who believes in real marriage between a man and a woman," he contends.

According to Thomasson, the peaceful marches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are drastically different than the recent violent displays, mainly because King was seeking natural civil rights and homosexuals are demanding public endorsement of their "unnatural sexual behavior."

Petition to Protect Prop 8 Outcome

YES on 8 supporters PROTECT YOUR VOTE!

If you are appauled by the recent appeals and attacks on the churches then please sign this online petition: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/protectyourvote

and write a letter to the Secretary of State Debra Bowen secretary.bowen@sos.ca.gov and Governor Arnold Schwarzenager http://gov.ca.gov/interact

Info at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Yes-on-prop-8-petition

Even if you are not from California, please sign. This is no longer about gay rights in California, it's about democracy in the US.

Protect what we worked so hard for and what is rightfully ours; PROTECT YOU VOTE.

More importantly pass the word. Every signature and letter helps. No on prop 8 supporters aren't waiting to make a move and neither should we.

When considering Proposition 8, remember Rose Bird

Find this article at Flashreport.

On May 15 of this year, four Supreme Court Justices - Chief Justice Ron George and Associate Justices Joyce Kennard, Carlos Moreno, and Kathryn Werdegar- put on their "judicial activist" hats and tossed out Proposition 22, which had been passed by California voters by a healthy majority, placing into California law that marriage shall only be between a man and a woman.

The decision by these four individuals set into motion the Proposition 8 campaign with the simple premise... "Fine, if the Justices are going to say that Proposition 22 violates the State Constitution, we will make an amendment to the State Constitution, making it clear what the will of the people is in this matter."

After what was the most expensive ballot measure campaign on a social issue in the history of this country, the people of California, by majority vote, passed Proposition 8, amending the Constitution itself, to protect the institution of marriage.

Within hours of the proponents of Proposition 8 declaring victory, advocates for homosexual marriage have gone back to the Supreme Court to try and get Proposition 8 struck down, no doubt hoping that the same four Justices will again, and in a much more egregious way than before (if that is possible), strike down a second vote of the people.

You have to take it with a healthy dose of cynicism that 44 Democrat legislators have sent a letter to the California State Supreme Court, in support of the motion to overturn Proposition 8.

Huh?

I accept that it is a role of the courts to review laws passed to determine if they are constitutional or not, though I disagree with the Court's May decision on Proposition 22. But what kind of hubris would a Supreme Court Justice have to show to justify overthrowing a Constitutional Amendment (Proposition 8) as... unconstitutional?

Oh wait, advocates of overturning Proposition 8 are saying that because of the violation of the rights of gay people is so extreme, a constitutional "revision" (requiring a two-thirds vote) not an amendment (majority vote) is required.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a Constitutional revision is for some wholesale changes in the state Constitution. The reason that an amendment process exists is so that the people can make relatively minor changes in the Constitution without calling a Constitutional Convention.

Here is the ENTIRE text of Proposition 8:

SECTION 1. Title: This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "California Marriage Protection Act.

SECTION 2. Section 7.5 is added to Article I of the California Constitution, to read: SEC. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

If this short amendment is not an amendment, then what is? It's ironic that so many Democratic legislators oppose the democratic process.

That said, it really is all on the California Supreme Court members now. The previous ruling by George, Kennard, Moreno, and Werdegar throwing out Proposition 22 was egregious and wrong, and by passing Proposition 8, in some way the uber-activist court majority that canned Proposition 22 was given a pretty hard slap on the wrist.

If the Court overturns 8, I think you will be able to count the days before a very organized and well funded recall of the Justices voting to do that will begin. Given the passion on this issue, and the financial resources available, a recall of these Justices would be on the ballot lickety-split, and then the Justices who didn't believe in the primacy of the voters can understand what it feels like to feel their wrath.

I have spoken to many friends of mine who opposed Proposition 8 (yes, I have many of those) and most of them have told me that turning to the courts to try and overturn this measure is along the lines of being "sore losers" - that the people have spoken. As one of them said to me, "If opponents of Proposition 8 felt it was unconstitutional, why didn't they go to the Court to have it taken off the ballot before the vote?"

Good question.

Anyway, Justices, it's all on you. This is an easy call. If you insist on flagrantly abusing the authority given to you by the people, then be prepared for a battle. No government official is immune from the voters' will, whether they be in the executive, legislative or, yes, even in the judicial branch.

Remember Rose Bird?

California Musical Theatre director steps down

Sacramento Business Journal - by Mark Anderson Staff writer
Wednesday, November 12, 2008

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/11/10/daily40.html

Scott Eckern, artistic director of the California Musical Theatre, is resigning his post and leaving the organization.

A boycott of the theater was called Tuesday by some in the national arts community when news broke that Eckern contributed $1,000 to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign, which supported the ban on gay marriage.

The measure passed last week.

Scott Eckern said in a prepared release that he chose to express his view through the democratic process, and he was deeply sorry for any harm or injury he caused by doing so.

“I am leaving California Musical Theatre after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatre-going and creative community,” he said. “I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most.”

The board of directors of the California Musical Theatre on Tuesday morning set an emergency meeting for Tuesday afternoon and then later canceled it. The theater company and its board of directors were trying to find a way to react to a boycott called against its theater operations by gay and lesbian artists.

Eckern, a 25-year veteran of the theater company, took over as artistic director in 2002 following the retirement of Leland Ball. Eckern was also the company’s chief operating officer.

Any political contribution of $1,000 or more requires the donor declare home city and occupation.The Web site antigayblacklist.com [note: a BLACKLIST!!! Who's using McCarthy tactics?] published a list based on data by electiontrack.com of anyone who contributed more than $1,000 to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. That disclosure led to a surge of calls for a boycott on the theater company, which puts on Music Circus shows, presents the Broadway Series at the Community Center Theatre and is just launching the musical show "Forever Plaid" at the new K Street performing arts venue Cosmopolitan Cabaret.

“I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings, maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved,” he said in his statement. “I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage. My sister is a lesbian and in a committed domestic partnership relationship. I am loving and supportive of her and her family, and she is loving and supportive of me and my family.”

He goes on to say this is “a highly emotional issue and the accusations that have been made against me are simply not true. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues, and I am deeply saddened that my personal beliefs and convictions have offended others. My choice to support the proposition was personal, and does not represent the views and opinions of California Musical Theatre or the many people associated with the organization.”

The theater company's board of directors released a statement about Eckern's resignation: "California Musical Theatre is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated only to the mission of providing quality theatrical productions. At no time does it involve itself in political issues or ever impinge on the rights of its employees to engage in political activities of their choice. The views and opinions of its employees do not necessarily represent those of California Musical Theatre."

The board said it appreciated Eckern's years of service.

Email or Call the Governator

Governor Schwarzenegger has opposed Proposition 8, even though he vetoed a bill in 2005 pertaining to same sex marriages "out of respect for the will of the people". And also in 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger stated his position on legislative meddling with Proposition 22: "We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails that vote."

YET now Governor Schwarzenegger is encouraging the California Supreme Court to overturn proposition 8, just like they did with proposition 22.

Please call and fax a letter to the Governor reminding him that he was elected to represent the will of the people and the people have spoken TWICE, with proposition 22 and now proposition 8, in voting for marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Please do not be silent on this issue, as silence = acceptance.

Please hold your elected officials accountable. You can also email at the following link: http://gov.ca.gov/interact

Governor's Office:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160

Homosexual 'marriage' -- New York on deck?

From OneNewsNow.com.

The leader of a conservative activist organization predicts the Empire State is on deck to become the next battleground state for homosexual "marriage."

Frank Russo of the American Family Association of New York points out that the state's Senate is now dominated by Democrats, and there is a majority in the assembly with a Democrat governor ready to sign a bill in favor of homosexual marriage.

"So now, we're going to see come to a vote, pretty certainly, a bill establishing 'gay' marriage," he explains. "The only reason it has not come to a vote up till now was because the Republicans in the Senate would not allow it come up to a vote."

Russo was asked about the chances for the bill to pass. "It's 50-50 because there are a couple of Democrats who are conservative-minded," he contends. "In fact, it might even be five or six Democrats who might vote against it, and there are also five or six Republicans who might vote for it."

Democrats have taken control of the New York Senate for the first time in 43 years.

Is this really any way to change peoples' minds?

I don't think so. Check out this article from Right Michigan.

Michigan liberals attack Lansing congregation in the middle of Sunday worship

This is what we're up against.

On Sunday morning, amidst worshiping congregants and following unifying prayers that our President-elect be granted wisdom as he prepares to lead our nation through difficult global, social and economic challenges, the Michigan left declared open war on peaceful church goers. They did it with banners, chants, blasphemy, by storming the pulpit, by vandalizing the church facility, by potentially defiling the building with lewd, public, sex acts and by intentionally forcing physical confrontations with worshipers.

This didn't take place in some dystopian, post modern work of fiction and it didn't take place in San Francisco or Berkley. This was the scene at a Bible believing church in Lansing, Michigan...

On Sunday, November 9, 2008 Michigan liberals sat peacefully through announcements, worship and prayer for the sick, our nation and our President-elect before staging a coordinated, disgusting and repulsive attack on worshipers and the broader concept of the church itself at Lansing's Mount Hope Church.

The lefties were a part of a liberal organization known as Bash Back Lansing and their collection of radical blogs, including one of the state's most widely read "mainstream" progressive blogs (and none which will receive a link on this website) called on "queers and trannies" from across the state and the region to converge on Lansing for what they refer to as an "action."

While many of the members claim to be anarchists (they drove on roads, ate non-garden grown foods, printed materials on products created by government protected free markets, wore clothing, talk incessantly about "organization," etc etc etc) their broader goal is stated plainly on one of their lefty blogs.

"I can tell you that we are targeting a well-known anti-queer, anti-choice radical right wing establishment."

Mount Hope, for the record, is an evangelical, bible believing church whose members provide free 24 hour counseling, prayer lines, catastrophic care for families dealing with medical emergencies, support groups for men, women and children dealing with a wide variety of life's troubles, crisis intervention, marriage ministries, regular, organized volunteer work in and around the city, missions in dozens of countries across the globe, a construction ministry that has built over 100 churches, schools, orphanages and other projects all over the world and an in-depth prison ministry that reaches out, touches and helps the men and women the rest of society fears the most. They also teach respect for all human life and the Biblical sanctity of marriage as an institution between one man and one woman.

This is what Michigan liberals label a "radical right wing establishment," and over 30 of them showed up in force yesterday. Wearing secret-service style ear pieces and microphones they received the "go" from their ringleader and off they went.

Prayer had just finished when men and women stood up in pockets across the congregation, on the main floor and in the balcony. "Jesus was gay," they shouted among other profanities and blasphemies as they rushed the stage. Some forced their way through rows of women and kids to try to hang a profane banner from the balcony while others began tossing fliers into the air. Two women made their way to the pulpit and began to kiss.

Their other props? I'll let them tell you in their own words... from another of their liberal blogs: "(A) video camera, a megaphone, noise makers, condoms, glitter by the bucket load, confetti, pink fabric...yeh."

The video camera they put to good use as they attempted to provoke a violent reaction. The image of the pink-clad folks above is one of theirs, stating in a picture worth more than a thousand words the goals of the Michigan left.

The "open minded" and "tolerant" liberals ran down the aisles and across the pews, hoping against hope to catch a "right winger" on tape daring to push back (none did). And just in case their camera missed the target, they had a reporter in tow. According to a source inside the church yesterday there was a "journalist" from the Lansing City Pulse along for the ride, tipped off about the action and more interested in getting a story than in preventing the vandalism, the violence and anti-Christian hatred being spewed by the lefties. We'll see what he files and what his editors see fit to print.

Props were readily on display too, though some of the condoms may have been put to even more nefarious use.

An hour after police and security had collected and removed who they thought were the last of the liberals, a volunteer security person discovered two more, hiding, together, in a public restroom. While their compatriots engaged in openly violent protest in front of everyone these two snuck away to potentially stage their own protest of sorts, and only by the grace of God did one of the hundreds of kids at the church not happen upon that particular restroom in those moments. Precisely how long they'd been there and precisely what they'd been up to we don't know.

The church's response? After things settled down, the blasphemy ended, the lewd props removed and the families safe from fear of additional men and women running into and past them the pastor took the stage and led the congregation in one more prayer... not for retribution, or divine justice or a celestial comeuppance (that's what I'd have prayed for) but instead that the troubled individuals who'd just defiled the Lord's house, so full of anger and hate, would know Jesus' love in their lives and God's peace that exceeds human understanding.

Yesterday morning defined the difference between a church of believers and Michigan liberals.

It also illustrated in shocking, painful detail precisely what we're up against.

Pro-Marriage Support List

Here is a list of people the gay community is black listing for donating to Prop. 8. Let's use their list to support these people!

http://antigayblacklist.com/

In the Face of Hatred

From Meridian: A place where Latter-day Saints Gather

Editor's Note: As some of you know, Meridian was hacked into last week, apparently by Prop 8 opponents, and in the place of our content was placed a homosexual pornographic film. For free email updates from Family Leader on issues that affect family and religious freedom, click here.

It has been an interesting week.

The Chinese homily, “May you live in interesting times,” has its roots in a curse, not a blessing. As I said, it has been an interesting week.

The controversy in California regarding Proposition 8 (the proposed amendment to the California constitution defining marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman) built to a frenzy in the days leading up to Tuesday's election and then exploded into anger and violence in the aftermath of Prop 8's slim passage into law.

I am a Los Angeles Police Department detective supervisor running a sex crimes unit covering the western quarter of the city, which also includes the area where the Los Angeles temple is located. I have a fantastic crew of 20 detectives who are an amazing mixture of races and sexes. I have several detectives who are openly gay or lesbian. This orientation has nothing to do with their efficiency as investigators. I deeply respect and like these individuals. I enjoy working with them. My life is often in their hands when we serve high risk search or arrest warrants. I trust them implicitly.

Obviously, the types of crimes we investigate bring us into regular contact with victims who are of an alternative lifestyle orientation. It is incumbent upon us that our compassion for these victims be no less than for victims who are heterosexual.

Hard Choices

Working in such an environment, I found taking a position on Proposition 8 to be difficult. Even though I chose to follow the direction of our Church leaders in my voting decision, it was extremely hard for me to place myself on the line when it came to actively working to ensure the passage of Proposition 8.

Still, I watched in amazement as my fellow ward and stake members worked tirelessly, committing themselves full-heartedly to the cause – not out of homophobic hatred, but out of a love of Christ and a belief in the sanctity of traditional marriage. Their faith strengthened mine, and I committed to participate in a sign waving public rally sponsored by our stake to be held at a local intersection.

By following through on this commitment, I found I had a greater stake in the battle than I had ever thought. I learned a number of hard and harsh lessons. And in the events following the election and passage of Proposition 8, I felt great anguish forcing me to drop to my knees in prayer – eventually coming to a more personal understanding of the Love of Christ and what he expects from me.

Read the rest of the article here.

In the Face of Hatred

From Meridian: A Place where Latter-day Saints Gather

Editor's Note: As some of you know, Meridian was hacked into last week, apparently by Prop 8 opponents, and in the place of our content was placed a homosexual pornographic film. For free email updates from Family Leader on issues that affect family and religious freedom, click here.
It has been an interesting week.

The Chinese homily, “May you live in interesting times,” has its roots in a curse, not a blessing. As I said, it has been an interesting week.

The controversy in California regarding Proposition 8 (the proposed amendment to the California constitution defining marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman) built to a frenzy in the days leading up to Tuesday's election and then exploded into anger and violence in the aftermath of Prop 8's slim passage into law.

I am a Los Angeles Police Department detective supervisor running a sex crimes unit covering the western quarter of the city, which also includes the area where the Los Angeles temple is located. I have a fantastic crew of 20 detectives who are an amazing mixture of races and sexes. I have several detectives who are openly gay or lesbian. This orientation has nothing to do with their efficiency as investigators. I deeply respect and like these individuals. I enjoy working with them. My life is often in their hands when we serve high risk search or arrest warrants. I trust them implicitly.

Obviously, the types of crimes we investigate bring us into regular contact with victims who are of an alternative lifestyle orientation. It is incumbent upon us that our compassion for these victims be no less than for victims who are heterosexual.

Hard Choices

Working in such an environment, I found taking a position on Proposition 8 to be difficult. Even though I chose to follow the direction of our Church leaders in my voting decision, it was extremely hard for me to place myself on the line when it came to actively working to ensure the passage of Proposition 8.

Still, I watched in amazement as my fellow ward and stake members worked tirelessly, committing themselves full-heartedly to the cause – not out of homophobic hatred, but out of a love of Christ and a belief in the sanctity of traditional marriage. Their faith strengthened mine, and I committed to participate in a sign waving public rally sponsored by our stake to be held at a local intersection.

By following through on this commitment, I found I had a greater stake in the battle than I had ever thought. I learned a number of hard and harsh lessons. And in the events following the election and passage of Proposition 8, I felt great anguish forcing me to drop to my knees in prayer – eventually coming to a more personal understanding of the Love of Christ and what he expects from me.

Read the rest of the article here.

Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus

By Marcus Crowder mcrowder@sacbee.com

Nov. 11, 2008 in the Sacramento Bee.

Gay and lesbian artists called Monday for an artistic and audience boycott of California Musical Theatre after learning that its artistic director donated $1,000 to a campaign that backed banning gay marriage in California.

Scott Eckern was not available for comment Monday as the revelation has gained stunning momentum on the blogosphere. The California Musical Theatre produces the Music Circus, presents Broadway Sacramento, and recently opened "Forever Plaid" at the capital's newest performing venue, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret.

Richard Lewis, the organization's executive producer, said the board of directors will conduct an emergency meeting on the matter this afternoon. He said it was too early to tell how this would affect Eckern's 25-year employment with California Musical Theatre.

In a statement released Monday, Lewis said: "Any political action or the opinion of Scott Eckern is not shared by California Musical Theatre. We have a long history of appreciation for the LGBT community and are truly grateful for their longstanding support."

Links to Eckern's official donation information began appearing Thursday on sites such as the gay political activism site http://www.goodasyou.org/ and the more informal conversational forum www.datalounge. The measure was Proposition 8 on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Local openly gay composer Gregg Coffin, who has written nationally produced musicals "Convenience" and "Five Course Love," found it initially difficult to express his feelings about the situation.

"I feel so sad that someone from within my field and someone from within my community, who actually knows me, would contribute to an initiative that reduces me to second-class citizenship," Coffin said.

Read the rest of the article here.

A letter from Pastor Jim Ortiz

Dear Whittier Daily News:

I’m so happy to be a citizen of this country where I have the right to freely exercise my religion, freely voice my opinions, peaceably assemble with others, and, when necessary, petition my government when I have a grievance.

Over these past many months we have seen the wonderful exercise of our democratic rights expressed through the various media and the ballot box. We have seen people on both sides of issues and political parties make their claims and woo the voters. And last Tuesday (Nov. 4) the people spoke and made their choices.

Now, we see candidates and political foes shaking hands and speaking magnanimously about each other. We see one administration graciously offering a hand of cooperation as it welcomes the transition to a new administration. Regardless of who got the fewest votes we all “win” when we accept the outcome and work together for the common good. And, this is how it has always been in our history and always should be.

Yet, sadly, we also see others who are not happy with the outcome of their particular issue marching in the streets, disrupting traffic, impeding travel and commerce, flashing finger epithets, picketing and threatening, yelling unprintable words of anger, bigotry, and hateful intolerance. They do all this while standing in front of houses of worship harassing parishioners as they enter to exercise their faith. And, they’re the ones holding the “Stop the Hate” signs!

Whatever your particular opinion is about the outcome of Proposition 8 (and this paper's opinion is well known!), the harassment of worshipers at churches and the threats against religious institutions, specifically the Mormon Church, is unacceptable and unworthy of a democratic people. This should be condemned! As an Evangelical Christian I do not share much common theological ground with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but, I do share our common love of natural marriage and traditional family. On this issue they are my Brothers and Sisters! The Mormons paid a hefty price disproportionate to their size for the passage of Proposition 8 both before and now after the vote. I commend them for their sacrifice and efforts. Yet, as significant as their part was they were only part of a coalition of millions of Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, and other Christians and non-Christians alike. As well as Democrats, Republicans, and non-partisans, and ethnic groups of every color and hue who believe that only marriage between one man and one woman should be valid and recognized in California and is the most beneficial family structure for our children and our society.

On this issue I will stand with my Mormon brethren and other colleagues and friends and defend their right to petition their government, freely express their opinions, worship according to their conscience, and be free and protected from harassment and bigotry. For their right is my right, too! I call upon this paper to abandon its bias for a moment and do the same. Pastor Jim Ortiz, PresidentWhittier Evangelical Ministerial AllianceSenior Pastor, My Friend’s House, Assembly of God.

Pastor Jim Ortiz,
PresidentWhittier Evangelical Ministerial Alliance
Senior Pastor, My Friend’s House, Assembly of God

Marriage Moves Voters

By William C. Duncan
Published at NationalReview.com.

Extending constitutional protection to traditional marriage is hardly a narrow partisan affair.

Beyond their practical effects, the very fact that 30 states have amended their constitutions to protect the definition of marriage in just over a decade is remarkable.

This week, Arizona, California, and Florida joined the 27 states with existing marriage amendments. The most interesting campaign was in California where voter approval of Proposition 8 reversed a May decision of the California Supreme Court. That decision had purported to discover a previously unknown mandate to redefine marriage as the union of any two people in that state’s constitution.

The Florida amendment had faced a difficult hurdle because it needed the support of 60 percent of voters for approval. Despite a much lower-profile campaign than California’s Prop 8, Florida’s Amendment 2 managed to garner 62 percent of the popular vote.

Voters in Arizona had narrowly defeated a proposed marriage amendment in 2006. That amendment had included a prohibition on marriage-equivalent statuses and the campaign against it seemed to have convinced voters that existing benefits for cohabiting couples were at risk. This time, the amendment (Proposition 102) merely defined marriage and was soundly approved.

Two practical benefits of the amendments are obvious. First, they will prevent (or, as in California, reverse) judicial decisions redefining marriage. Second, they make absolutely clear that the enacting state will not recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.

This second effect is becoming increasingly important. The recent repeal of Massachusetts’ residence requirement for same-sex marriage and the impending issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Connecticut mean that couples from other states can go to either of these to marry before returning home to seek recognition.

Typically, a state will recognize a marriage valid in another state even if it could not have been contracted in the recognizing state. There is an important historical exception, however, for marriages that violate that state’s laws — against incest and polygamy, for example. The marriage amendments certainly preclude any question as to what a state’s public policy on same-sex marriages is.

Read the rest of this article here.

Encouragement from a Reader

Jennifer - I just read your article in the National Review and I want to applaud you for a great article. I live in Wisconsin and it is sad to read all the bad that is happening in response to the victory for the sanctity of marriage. Do you have direct contact with the church's that were involved with passing Prop 8? After reading about the targetting of the churches by the pro homosexual groups, I wanted to say thank you and commend the church's and people involved in getting Prop 8 passed. Pass the word on to stay strong and thank you.

Our friend Leland strikes again

The man with the refurbished Prop 8 sign (shown in the "Going Green" post below) has protested one of his favorite websites, BoardGameGeek, for blocking ads from ProtectMarriage.com after some regulars complained.

He writes:
"After seeing how afraid the enemies of traditional marriage and family are of open expression of opinion even in this one very small and cloistered neighborhood of the web, I just have to wonder what we can expect if Proposition 8 fails and they then feel like they have the mandate they need to completely reorder society in general according to their own self serving preferences. I hate to even think about it."

Here is what he posted on the website's thread:

"Now I’m the one who is shocked, Aldie. You’re actually kowtowing to the politically ‘correct’ thought police on this one, are you?

As far as I’m concerned Barry’s objection is made in the same spirit as the folks who’ve been going around stealing or destroying people’s Prop. 8 yard signs or besieging people’s homes when Prop. 8 signs are posted on their house out of reach (to keep it from being stolen or defaced) or vandalizing the homes and/or cars of people who dare to display Prop. 8 signs or stickers...

Barry, what I think of your attitude is best exhibited by what I did with the yard sign someone destroyed in my front yard.

PS: I'd be just as incensed if an anti-Prop. 8 advertisement led to this kind of censorship. This is the exact opposite of being “an open, welcoming community”. But for the record, an anti-Prop. 8 ad would have at most only caused some people to voice disagreement, not a request for censorship."

Another video

Watch it here.

Tuesday is our moment to vote YES on Prop 8. A Yes vote will restore traditional marriage in our state.

For your steadfast support of traditional marriage, the No on 8 campaign has called you "intolerant" and "offensive." But a recent string of attacks on Yes on 8 supporters shows that opponents of traditional marriage are anything but tolerant and respectful of others.

On Tuesday, you can send them a message by volunteering for our historic, 100,000-strong get-out-the-vote effort -- and most importantly, voting YES on 8.

School Clams Up on 'Gay' Pledge Cards Given to Kindergartners

Alright. Let's admit it. Things are definitely getting out of control here.

From Fox News:

A California school system refuses to say what action, if any, it will take after it received complaints about a kindergarten teacher who encouraged her students to sign "pledge cards" in support of gays.

During a celebration of National Ally Week, Tara Miller, a teacher at the Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science in Hayward, Calif., passed out cards produced by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to her class of kindergartners.

The cards asked signers to be "an ally" and to pledge to "not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language or slurs; intervene, when I feel I can, in situations where others are using anti-LGBT language or harassing other students and actively support safer schools efforts."

The school has acknowledged that the exercise was not appropriate for kindergartners.Parent Adela Voelker, who declined to be interviewed in depth for this report, said she was furious when she found her child's signature on one of the cards. She said she contacted a non-profit legal defense organization specializing in parents' rights.

Meanwhile, a school board member, Jeff Cook, says some type of action should be taken.
"We have a general rule that all instruction should be age appropriate, and this clearly was not," said Cook, who has served on the school board for five years.

Val Joyner, a school district spokeswoman, told FOXNews.com in an e-mail that when deciding what to teach on this subject matter, educators "gather materials from community agencies and other education groups" and that "the materials have grade level indicators which help determine what is age-appropriate."

The district said the pledge cards were intended for middle school and high school students.Asked last week if the district planned to take action against Miller, Joyner said she would have to look into the incident. On Thursday she told FOXNews.com that she did not have an answer for the question and that she would no longer be doing any media interviews.

Joyner said in an e-mail that Miller, the teacher, "planned to teach students how to become an ally and conflict-mediation through various activities." She added that the district doesn't advocate for a specific cause and/or lifestyle, and it has "no curriculum for gay, lesbian and transgender lifestyles."

The district employs a "Professional Learning Specialist: Equity," who is in charge of gathering material and helping teachers decide what should be taught on the subject matter.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, the group representing Voelker, said parents at the Faith Ringgold School weren't notified of what was going to take place in the classroom.He said that teaching students as young as pre-school about gay, lesbian and transgender issues is common in California, but that there are "all kinds of material the average parent could find highly objectionable or potentially harmful" to their children.

When asked if the school district did anything wrong, he said, "possibly," but he declined to go into detail or say whether Voelker would sue the district.

Dacus would not comment specifically on whether children who signed the pledge could be held responsible if the school determined that they were not honoring it. He said they are minors and there are certain degrees of limited liability, but from a psychological and emotional perspective, it's a whole different ballgame.

"[There is] tremendous peer pressure put on children to accept a pro-homosexual philosophy and attitude," Dacus said.

Meanwhile, opponents of gay marriage are up in arms over the incident, which occurred as California voters prepare to vote Tuesday on Proposition 8, which would overturn the state Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage.

"How do you teach a 5-year-old to sign a pledge card for lesbian, gay and transgender issues without explaining what transgender and bisexual is?" asked Sonja Eddings Brown, a spokeswoman for Protect Marriage California.

Some Handy Arguments You Can Use

Written by Matthew B. Mack, Counselor at Law

It’s No Surprise that Some of Us Prefer Cats and Some Dogs . . . While Tolerating Both

While some of us prefer cats and some dogs, most of us agree they are both domesticated animals that are to be tolerated and protected in our society. However, we all understand that dogs and cats are different, and it is confusing and disingenuous to suddenly pretend that a cat is the same as a dog or that dogs have actually always been cats . . .

Similarly, while both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships are to be tolerated and protected in our society, it is confusing and disingenuous to suddenly pretend that there is no difference between same-sex and opposite-sex relationships, or that same-sex relations have actually always been “marriages”.

While I happen to prefer dogs, it neither makes me prejudice toward or intolerant of cats, nor does it require that I must now pretend that dogs and cats are exactly the same. In our home we have room for both dogs and cats. People can and should support Proposition 8’s clarification of the definition of marriage and still love, respect and tolerate everyone!

1 Potato, 2 Potato, 3 Potato, 4 . . . Neither People nor Potatoes Are all the Same

Previously, human history has defined “marriage” as a protected civil–societal-spiritual relationship between a man and a woman. Today, gays and lesbians assert that any loving, caring, intelligent, or reasonable person would agree that their sexual preference for homosexuality is a matter of genetic predisposition void of free choice, and therefore, society must redefine “marriage” to include any 2 same-gender people.

Tomorrow, bisexuals will assert that any loving, caring, intelligent, or reasonable person would agree that their simultaneous sexual preference for heterosexuality and homosexuality is a matter of genetic predisposition void of free choice, and therefore, society must redefine “marriage” to include 3 people, 2 of the same gender and 1 of the opposite gender. Later, people will assert that any loving, caring, intelligent, or reasonable person would agree that their genetic predisposition for group relationships, whether heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, is simply validating what society has already accepted, and therefore, society must redefine “marriage” to include polygamy, polyandry, etc.

Ultimately, the term “marriage” will be “some relationship between some people”. Definitions, particularly legal definitions, are used to help society clearly understand and communicate what something is and what it’s not. Ultimately, allowing “marriage” to become anything results in it being nothing . . . and how does that help anyone? As a society we currently acknowledge and protect the preferences defined by the terms “heterosexuality”, “homosexuality” and “bisexuality”, and everyone knows each term involves unique relationships. How does society benefit from suddenly ignoring those unique differences by using the same legal term, “marriage”, to define all human sexual relationships? We acknowledge and protect various defined races, ethnicities, etc., without ignoring their unique differences, why must it be different when we look to sexuality?

We are not a “one size fits all” society, and the courts should not be allowed to so broadly define “marriage”, that it means nothing and protects no one. I’m voting Yes on Proposition 8 to protect and preserve each of our rights to be uniquely different, and I am against government trying to make us all the same!!

Will the Passage or Defeat of Prop 8 Really Change what California's Schools Teach?

I simply want both sides to tell the truth. Opponents of Proposition argue that while “HIV/AIDS Prevention Education" is mandatory in California schools [Education Code Section 51931(d)], “Sex Education is not. Opponents of Proposition 8 admit that "Sex Education" includes teaching "healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family" [Education Code section 51933(a)], but argue that because “Sex Education” is not mandatory it will not affect students or families.

The truth is that 96 % of California schools teach Sex Education, and 93% of the 96% teach both “HIV/AIDS Prevention Education" [mandatory] and "Sex Education"[not mandatory] in the same class thereby depriving parents of advance Notice and the right to Opt-Out because the class contains mandatory education! [see report entitled “Sex Education in California Public Schools” dated August 2003 which was published by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California - [link]

The result is that under California’s current law which legalizes both same-sex and opposite-sex marriage, schools will in fact teach over 90% of the time “the knowledge and skills necessary” to encourage and protect same-sex "gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family" [Education Code section 51930]. The effective teaching of skills in schools often involves role play in the class, and therefore it’s reasonable to conclude that students will role play asking another class member to participate in social interaction (dating, dancing, holding hands, kissing, sexual consent, etc.), which would mandate that boys and girls practice asking for such social interaction with those of the same-sex.

If Proposition 8 passes, schools will neither support nor oppose same-sex marriage, such concerns would be left to the parents, just where they belong . . . . Now that would certainly change what California's schools teach!

Prop. 8 outcome key for America's future

From OneNewsNow.com.
Homosexual activists are paying close attention to the outcome of the upcoming election.

The results are crucial to the pro-family, traditional marriage foundation of America, and a wrong outcome could make things tough, according to Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality."

More and more the Democrats are pushing for a full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Nancy Pelosi's on record for that," he explains. "Barack Obama is calling for a full repeal of DOMA, the law signed by Bill Clinton that protects states from being forced to recognize out-of-state gay marriages."

LaBarbera believes the California vote on Proposition 8, which would protect traditional marriage, would have national repercussions if it fails. "And if that doesn't pass, it's a bad sign for the pro-family movement, and the gay lobby would just be overjoyed and go into overdrive to promote their agenda across the country," LaBarbera contends.

In fact, if Prop. 8 fails and Democrats gain the White House and a congressional majority, a same-gender marriage bill is likely to pass in Washington, DC, in January, according to activists and city hall insiders. Evan Wolfson, executive director of the same-sex marriage advocacy group called Freedom to Marry, told The Washington Blade, "Where California goes, so goes the nation."

Going green? Destroyed Prop. 8 sign gets re-used

8 Is Not Hate: The meaning of a proposition.

Prop. 8 is about courts being out of control.

Check out Dr. J's article at NationalReview online or below.

In Fresno, a Catholic priest who recently came out to his parishioners asked them to imagine they have just discovered they are gay: “How would you feel when you saw a car with a ‘Yes on 8’ bumper sticker?” In San Diego, a group opposing Proposition 8 calls itself “Californians Against Hate.” In San Jose, two women parked in front of a house that had a large “Yes on 8” banner. They spray painted their own car to turn it into a billboard saying “Bigots Live Here.”

Given all these episodes, I would like for the gays and lesbians of California to know what I mean by the “Yes on Proposition 8” sign in my yard. I want you to know what I am saying, and what I’m not saying, by driving around with a “Yes on Prop 8” sticker. Some opponents of Proposition 8 seem to view it as a referendum on whether we like gay people. I do not share this view. From my perspective, it would be tragic for the gays and lesbians of California to believe that every house with a Yes on 8 sign in the yard is inhabited by someone who hates them.

I’m voting “yes” on 8, not because of my views of gays and lesbians, but because of my views about marriage. I view marriage as a gender-based institution that attaches mothers and fathers to each other and to their children. Those of us who support Proposition 8 believe that children deserve at least the chance to have a relationship with a mom and a dad. That isn’t hateful toward anyone.

We have watched as the small children of Massachusetts were taught about homosexuality in their public schools. We believe parents should decide when and what to teach their children about homosexuality, in accordance with their values, and their perception of their child’s maturity. We have trouble believing that the well-being of gays and lesbians really depends on children reading King & King in kindergarten.

We believe the California supreme court greatly overstepped its bounds. Their decision did more than legalize same-sex marriage. The Court declared that requiring spouses to be of the opposite sex counts as discrimination. Religious groups that act on the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman are henceforth engaged in unlawful discrimination.

The Court also changed the jurisprudence of sexual-orientation discrimination cases, giving same-sex couples the highest possible level of protection. This means that in contests between religious liberty and sexual-orientation discrimination, religious liberty would almost always lose. The Court’s ruling gave gays and lesbians new grounds on which to sue religious people, and a higher probability of winning than before. Fair-minded Californians of all political persuasions don’t want every church-related activity threatened with legal harassment. Every marriage-preparation class, every pre-school, every adoption agency, every high school, every teen youth group is potentially covered by the Court’s ruling. Voting Yes on Proposition 8 is one of the few ways ordinary citizens can protest. They are not saying they hate gay people: They are saying the Court is out of control.

Millions of people are going to vote Yes on Prop 8. People of every religion and no religion are going to vote Yes on Prop 8. People with gay loved ones are going to vote Yes on Prop 8. It would be tragic, and completely unwarranted, for gay men and lesbians to conclude that all these people hate them.

The Call in San Diego a Success

From Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse:

The Call, the Pentecostal gathering at San Diego's QualComm football stadium this past Saturday was incredible. My family and I went to the Mass at the Mission San Diego prior to The Call. For those who are unfamiliar with California history or Catholic lore, the Mission San Diego was the first of the Missions founded in California by Father Junipero Serra back in 1769. Padre Serra is consider the “Father of California.” You might say he is “The Original San Diego Padre.” We felt his presence there at the Mission as our Auxiliary Bishop, Salvatore Cordileone, said Mass for us on the Feast of All Saints. The bishop had invited Pastors Jim Garlow and Chris Clark, to do the readings. Thus, the Evangelical and the Baptist churches were represented at the Catholic event.

We then had a procession from the Mission San Diego, over to QualComm stadium, for The Call. The Call was a major Pentecostal prayer rally, hosted by Lou Engel. Approximately 30,000 people attended the event, which ran from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Around 3 PM, the pastor introduced Bishop Cordileone to the mostly Evangelical crowds. He said that when we've been at battle for hours it was always a relief to see fresh troops. Bishop Cordileone was introduced as “the leader of fresh troops.” Bishop Cordileone then told the crowd that at that very moment there were 1.8 million Catholics (that would be all of the Knights of Columbus) all over the world praying with them for the fight on 8. He then lead the crowd in a beautiful prayer to stop abortion, end pornography, return morals and values to our nation, and for the unity of all Christians in this spiritual war.

People from around the country should know that the struggle for marriage in CA has enlisted the support of all the major religious groups, as this particular rally demonstrates. Over the months of my involvement, I have worked with members of the Mormon church and the Orthodox Jewish community. This past week, I was on a Spanish language radio station. Win, lose or draw on Tuesday, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of this great ecumenical effort to preserve natural marriage. I will treasure the friendships I have made over the course of this campaign.

The final Prop 8 video from John Paul the Great Catholic University

America is at a crucial juncture.

Prop 8 really comes down to what is right and wrong concerning marriage. Tuesday, it will be written into law: we will either be a state that supports free religion or free sexuality. One of them will be judged as less important.

Watch this video, pass it on to your friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9YAeksPSY

This is not an issue that anyone can remain silent on.

YES ON 8 CHALLENGES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION JACK O’CONNELL TO LIVE DEBATE

Yes on 8 Says Debate Will Make It Clear: If we do not Pass Proposition 8, Gay Marriage Will Be Taught in California Public Schools, and that is Already Happening

SACRAMENTO – The Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8 campaign today challenged Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and the No on 8 campaign to a live, televised debate this weekend so voters can learn the truth about the issue of gay marriage being taught in California public schools. The Yes on 8 Campaign, in a letter from Campaign Manager Frank Schubert to No on 8 Campaign Manager Steve Smith, said the more substantive forum will settle the issue once and for all and prove that gay marriage will be taught in public schools if Proposition 8 fails.

“The No on Proposition 8 campaign has been airing television and radio ads featuring Jack O’Connell accusing us of running a ‘shameful’ campaign,” said Ron Prentice, chairman of Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8. “There is nothing shameful about telling the truth. This is the most critical issue of the campaign. Voters deserve an opportunity to hear for themselves what will happen, and indeed what is already happening, if we do not restore traditional marriage in California on Election Day. Given his strong statements, I’m sure O’Connell will have no problem accepting.”

The debate challenge comes as it becomes increasingly clear that indoctrination of young school children about gay marriage is already happening. The so-called “public relations nightmare” of a San Francisco first grade class being taken on an official school field trip to a lesbian wedding was followed last week by a Hayward elementary school having a “National Coming Out Day” for kindergarteners, instruction in which parents were told they could not opt-out according to recent news accounts.

From ProtectMarriage.com.

Videos featuring Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute

The video called Panel Discussion is Dr. J and Glenn Stanton. The video called Protect Marriage Rally has a few minutes of Dr. J in it, along with Glenn. These are the videos that originated at Skyline Church in La Mesa.

Check them and other good ones out here:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/simulcast.aspx

Prop. 8 supporters contend with vandals, city statute

From OneNewsNow.com.

Warning: Content may be inappropriate for children

Supporters of Proposition 8 in Chino Hills, California, have met opposition from local officials as well as vandals.

Prop. 8, which appears on the November ballot in the Golden State, would overturn the California Supreme Court ruling legalizing homosexual "marriage." Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) senior counsel Erik Stanley got a call from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills explaining their plight.

"They related to us that the city of Chino Hills was threatening to fine home owners $25 a day for putting 'Support Proposition 8' signs in the yards of their houses and was threatening to fine the church $250 for distributing the signs," he says.

Stanley took a closer look at the city's sign ordinance. "The city of Chino Hills has a very unconstitutional sign ordinance that would require anybody wanting to put up a political sign to go down to city hall and get a $250 permit before they could put one sign in their yard -- even if they made that sign themselves," he contends.

Prop. 8 signs were stolen from the yard of one family belonging to the church, and graphic messages were scratched into their two cars. The vandals keyed "Gay Sex is Love" into the car's paint, while also writing other degrading phrases in permanent marker "all over both vehicles." Additionally, the delinquents broke off an antenna on one car and bent the back windshield wiper on the other.

"Supporters of Proposition 8 should not be punished for their position on the marriage amendment," Stanley adds. "They are Americans, and they not only have a right to vote on and promote Prop. 8; they also have a right to be free of fear, intimidation, and the destruction of their property."

ADF sent a letter to Chino Hills Mayor Curt Hagman, outlining why the law violates constitutional rights, and the city attorney then wrote a response, assuring Stanley that the ordinance would not be enforced.

Updates from ProtectMarriage.com

Positive Trend
We seem to be picking up momentum with our ads and the grassroots effort. People are starting to learn that same-sex couples already have all of the rights and benefits of marriage under the domestic partners law and will not lose them if Prop 8 passes. They are also learning about the horrendous consequences of the ruling of the four San Francisco judges.

There is a new Field Poll coming out on Friday that shows that we have closed from a 17 point deficit to a 5 point deficit in one month. Remember, the Field Poll has always been skewed against us, so this is very good news. It confirms the trend we have seen in other polls that show us with a slight lead. We need to keep the momentum going.

Lots of Work for the Last Few Days
We definitely have the momentum but we must complete many additional phone calls and work very hard to get our vote out on Election Day. Please make a commitment to sign up for Election Day coverage, particularly from 4 pm to the close of polls at 8 pm at http://protectmarriage.com/electionday.

Fundraising
Fundraising is going well and we have reached objectives on time. The are now over 76,000 donors – I am sure a record for California. Only 19% of the donors are from out of state compared to 30% for our opponents.

NAACP Scandal
While the majority of African Americans support Prop 8, the President of the California NAACP came out in opposition to it without so much as a vote of its California Branches. Now it has come out that the No on Prop 8 campaign paid her $200,000. Read more about it at: http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/naacp-los-angeles-president-alice-huffman-sells-out-black-families

No on 8 Showing Signs of Stress
The No on 8 campaign trotted out a group of bio-tech executives to say if Prop 8 passes, it will create a homosexual brain train to Massachusetts and give California a competitive disadvantage. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20081029-9999-1b29prop8.html
Check out other arguments they are making at http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/claims-by-no-on-prop-8-grow-more-desperate-as-polling-numbers-sink

Another good ad from ProtectMarriage.com

Very reasoned and factual. http://protectmarriage.com/video/view/9

Elementary schools promoting homosexual agenda

From OneNewsNow.com.

California parents learned too late that some of their young children were being taught to accept homosexuality. Brad Dacus, founder of Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), says the indoctrination at "Coming Out Day" involved children as young as kindergarten at Faith Ringgold School of Art and Science in Hayward, California.

"This is an event where they have pictures [and] posters up, telling stories and encouraging people who feel that they are homosexual or opposite gender to freely express that and articulate and affirm that," Dacus explains.

According to a PJI press release, parents noticed that the posters -- which claimed to promote families -- depicted homosexual "families" only. The legal firm says the school is continuing to celebrate Gay and Lesbian History Month for the rest of October, but parents are being ignored in the process.

"There's been no opportunity for parents to opt out, no consideration and tolerance for the wide diversity of parents' views and perspectives that are different than this," Dacus points out.

On November 20, the school will host "TransAction Gender-Bender Read-Aloud," where students will hear adapted tales such as "Jane and the Beanstalk." "Do we need any further proof that gay activists will target children as early as possible?" the Christian attorney asks.

Dacus is certain there are outraged California parents curious about what they can do to stop the indoctrination. "The parents who would like to contest or would like to fight it should contact us at Pacific Justice Institute," he adds.

Prop. 8 outcome key for America's future

From OneNewsNow.com.

Homosexual activists are paying close attention to the outcome of the upcoming election. The results are crucial to the pro-family, traditional marriage foundation of America, and a wrong outcome could make things tough, according to Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality.

"More and more the Democrats are pushing for a full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Nancy Pelosi's on record for that," he explains. "Barack Obama is calling for a full repeal of DOMA, the law signed by Bill Clinton that protects states from being forced to recognize out-of-state gay marriages."

LaBarbera believes the California vote on Proposition 8, which would protect traditional marriage, would have national repercussions if it fails. "And if that doesn't pass, it's a bad sign for the pro-family movement, and the gay lobby would just be overjoyed and go into overdrive to promote their agenda across the country," LaBarbera contends.

In fact, if Prop. 8 fails and Democrats gain the White House and a congressional majority, a same-gender marriage bill is likely to pass in Washington, DC, in January, according to activists and city hall insiders. Evan Wolfson, executive director of the same-sex marriage advocacy group called Freedom to Marry, told The Washington Blade, "Where California goes, so goes the nation."

Numbers close in California pro-marriage proposition

From OneNewsNow.com.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A new poll shows California voters who oppose the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriages slightly ahead going into Tuesday's election. The Field Poll released Friday had opponents of the ban with a 49 percent to 45 percent edge. That's much closer than in previous surveys over Proposition 8.

The poll is based on a random sample of 966 likely voters conducted Oct. 18 to the 28. It has a sampling error rate of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points on the issue.

Twenty-seven states have approved anti-gay marriage ballot measures, including seven in 2006. Besides California, Florida is considering a ban this year.

A beautiful meditation on the blessings of marriage

An email from a friend:

Marriage, the unique sexual union of a man and woman, explaining why it is called “the act of marriage,” is the only relationship to make it out of the Garden. In that way it is a common grace, an undeserved blessing that is bestowed on everyone without their having earned it, like the rain that falls on the fields of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Even those who are not married enjoy some of the bounty of the fruitfulness that marriage has produced, and still produces, in the world. And children, in particular, benefit broadly and deeply from growing under the shade and nurture of the man and woman whose sexual union produced them.

Oh, but you say, “I do not believe in God, and I reject the notion that marriage is a blessing somehow formed, or conceived of, by God.” No one can truly believe in God on behalf of another. But the case for the unique definition and place of marriage does not rest only on such a belief. Evidence abounds that, like the rain, marriage is associated with good outcomes for those who enter into it or are committed to it. The evidence is overwhelmingly positive in this regard. And is that not exactly what we would expect to be the case, if marriage had, for sake of argument, been created as the one foundationally sound human relationship, “good,” indeed “very good,” as it were?

And this is not to say that effort plays no role in the success of marriage. To be sure, marriage, like everything else in the world we have now has been singed, tainted, damaged. Marriage has produced heartache as well as joy. With all due respect to Joni Mitchell, we will never truly get back to the Garden. There is, and will be, no “perfect” marriage because there are no perfect people. But marriage still in actual life, the highest plateau upon which to live out a committed sexual union relationship.

We recognize that, like the variations in the rain, the blessings of marriage are not entirely uniform or predictable. Nor does marriage flourish without diligence, dedication, sacrifice and love. This rule applies to nearly every human endeavor, from the attainment of Olympic gold to the mere satisfaction of a “job well done” to the even more significant successful raising of a child. So too we know that the farmer’s fields will not produce a uniform harvest, or that only by planting the seed will he guarantee the success of his crop. As we would think a fool the farmer that disclaims the rain for his fields, so might it not also be foolish to jettison the very meaning of what marriage is and always has been known to be?

Citizens of California, think clearly, act wisely, affirm the unique sexual relationship of marriage resoundingly.

Homosexual propaganda rampant in Mass. schools

The president of a pro-family organization in Massachusetts says public schools in the Bay State have been negatively influenced by homosexual marriage.

Mass Resistance president Brian Camenker says that immediately after Massachusetts courts made homosexual marriage legal in his state, many schools had assemblies celebrating the decision. Those assemblies featured pro-homosexual speakers, teachers who announced that they would "marry" their same-sex partners, and homosexuals who announced they would pursue adoption.

Camenker points out the homosexual agenda was even promoted in middle schools and elementary schools. "David Parker was the parent of a kindergartner in Lexington, where they were telling the kids about same-sex families being normal just like their mother and father," he explains. "And they had gotten to the point, even by 2005, where they considered this so important to tell kids that they refused to allow parents to opt their own kids out of that propaganda and wouldn't even tell them when it happened."

Parker sued the school system, but Camenker says the judges ruled that, because homosexual marriage was legal in that state, parents had no right to opt out and also said that the schools were promoting good citizenship. (See related story) Camenker warns that public schools have become a major target of the homosexual agenda, and that the passage of homosexual marriage in other states will only embolden the movement.

This article compliments of OneNewsNow.com.

Teacher outrage over dues money to homosexual agenda

An article from OneNewsNow.com.

The president of the Pacific Justice Institute says a large percentage of California public school teachers are outraged over the California Teachers Association's support for homosexual marriage.

According to Pacific Justice Institute president Brad Dacus, the CTA has funneled more than $1.2 million into the fight against California's Proposition 8. That proposition, if passed on November 4, would define marriage as between one man and one woman and amend the state constitution accordingly.

Dacus also stated CTA's opposition to Prop. 8 has angered many public school teachers whose CTA membership fees have been used to fund the opposition campaign. In response, his group has launched a project called ChooseCharity.org.

"And what we are doing...is educating and defending the rights of teachers to opt completely out of their union and give all of their union dues, every single penny of it, instead...to a charity that's in agreement with their faith -- and our phone is ringing off the hook," he adds.

Dacus says outrage over the CTA's opposition to Prop. 8 is even being expressed by parents who are also upset over homosexual indoctrination in public schools. That indoctrination includes the "Children Coming Out" program.

"In fact we have some state laws that were passed that actually mandate this kind of indoctrination," says the attorney. "But parents are opening their eyes up; they're waking up."

Dacus encourages any teachers who are upset over the activities of their unions to visit ChooseCharity.org.

Utility paying price for homosexual support

This article comes from OneNewsNow.com.

California supporters of Proposition 8 are taking issue with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Proposition 8 is designed to overturn the state Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual "marriage." Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institute tells OneNewsNow why many voters are upset with the utility.

"Pacific Gas & Electric shocked and stunned many of its customers and shareholders when it decided to give $250,000 dollars -- a quarter of a million dollars -- specifically to oppose Proposition 8, which is a pro-marriage amendment to recognize marriage between one man and one woman," he explains.

American Family Association, a pro-family group based in Mississippi, sent its California subscribers an e-mail on the subject and, so far, 4,500 PG&E customers have cancelled service. Dacus expects that number to be 10,000 to 20,000 by Election Day. "People need to understand that there's [sic] two ways they can vote on this issue," he contends. "One is by going to the polls and voting for Prop. 8. The other is by choosing to switch from PG&E to an alternative natural gas provider -- and I think that in the long run, the latter can be just as important."

Dacus suggests those interested in alternative utility providers visit NOtoPGE.com.

Prop. 8 protects 'bedrock' of society

This article is from Rev. Ortiz, a Hispanic pastor in the LA area. It appeared in the Pasadena Star News.

IT'S unfortunate that the Whittier Daily News ("Our View," Oct. 9) and some religious leaders in this community (Guest View, Oct. 5) have such a simple view of the issue of homosexual/same-sex marriage. To see marriage as a "human comedy," where people are only concerned about just "loving each other" and "sanctifying" their "devotion and feelings" for each other is a tragedy of narrow vision.

This simpleton view creates a monster like a cyclops! Such is the case when this newspaper sees life from only one dimension and encourages you to vote "no" on Proposition 8. Marriage is far more complex than even this newspaper's editorial cared to admit. As one who prepares couples for marriage, officiating 10-20 ceremonies per year, and serving this community for more than 37 years, please allow me to broaden your vision.

When you vote "yes" on Prop. 8, you understand the broader dimensions and implications of fundamentally changing the definition of the most important bedrock relationship of our society - marriage, and its inevitable corollary - the family. By inserting the true meaning of marriage into our state constitution you send a clear, concise message to our culture and our children that only the union of one man and one woman rightly qualifies to be called a marriage in its most basic form and purpose. Marriage was intended to create families, not just "loving, devoted" couples.

When you vote "yes" on Prop. 8, you are siding with more than 61 percent of California voters in 2000 and with 1.1 million California citizens in 2008 who signed petitions to put the proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot. You agree along with every culture, every country, every religion, every society and every honest social scientist from the beginning of time that the union of a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation, where children can be nurtured and raised in a stable and secure family environment.

When you vote "yes" on 8, you are not trying to punish or prohibit gay people from living their chosen lifestyle. Prop. 8 does not change or object to rights already established in law for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights and end-of-life care issues.

When you vote "yes" on Proposition 8, you are proclaiming loudly that you don't want your children in California's public schools to be taught that homosexual/same-sex marriage is the same as your marriage to your wife or husband.

In fact, you keep your fundamental right as a parent to be the primary teacher of your family's core values, and not have that right taken away as it has already been done in Massachusetts.
When you vote "yes," on Prop. 8, you will keep the fundamental right of free speech and religious freedom intact for your pastor, rabbi, priest, imam, elder, or faith leader when they act, teach, preach, or speak from religious conscience against the practice of homosexuality. This religious freedom is in jeopardy of being called "hate speech."

When you vote "yes" on Prop. 8, you will agree with me and my colleague, Felice Austin, in "Ask a Christian," when she says, "Proposition 8 will ensure that church and state remain separate in California. It will prevent morality from being legislated on either side. It will not infringe upon already established rights for homosexual/same-sex couples. It will protect the rights of people and organizations that believe in the traditional family from those who would use the muscular arm of the government to punish those that disagree with them."

We the people of California have the right to define what a marriage is. We're voting "yes" on Prop. 8 on Nov. 4.

The Rev. Jim Ortiz is senior pastor of My Friend's House Assembly of God and president of Whittier Area Evangelical Ministerial Alliance.

News coverage of Prop 8 supporter tires slashed.

Watch it here.

Has anybody heard anything about Prop 8 supporters being nasty toward Prop 8 opponents? Why do the opponents seem to be so angry in general?

Yes on 8 T-Shirts

Spread the word without saying a thing! Get your T-shirts here!

Each religious group is doing what it does best!

Prayer to Blessed Junipero Serra for the passage of California Propositions 4 and 8

Blessed Padre Junipero Serra, apostle and patron of the land of California, who founded missions thoughout this state dedicated to the glory of God and the spread of Christianity, we beg your intercession during this election season.

Today, California is awash in a sea of spilled innocent blood, pornography, and perversion. The one and triune God who you labored to bring to California's native peoples is being steadily forgotten, shut out from public discourse, and blasphemed by so many of her residents today.

Through your intercession, we beg that California return to its Christian roots through the passage of Propositions 4 and 8 on November 4, and that hardened hearts be turned once again to our Heavenly Father. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

What same-sex "marriage" has done to Massachusetts

Find this article on-line here. Send it to your friends.

"It's far worse than most people realize."

This is an in-depth article demonstrating how legalized same sex marriage in Massachusetts has affected education, public health, domestic violence, adoption, business, government mandates, and much more!

Educators' dues being used against Prop. 8

Find the original article here.

Many Christian teachers in California are upset with their union for donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to defeat Proposition 8, and then writing a check for another million dollars on top of that.

California Teachers Association, the state affiliate of the National Education Association, has made the donations to kill Prop. 8, a November 4 voter initiative that would overturn the state Supreme Court's decision in May to legalize homosexual "marriage." After stating it only makes recommendations to union members -- "The final choice is always up to you," the union states on its website -- CTA contends passage of the proposition would establish "one set of rules for gay and lesbian couples and another set of rules for everyone else. That's not fair."

Finn Laursen, director of the Christian Educators Association International -- which offers educators an alternative to the liberal efforts of the NEA -- reacts to the news of CTA members' dues being used to undermine traditional marriage. "That's obviously what the union has decided," he says. "That money speaks loudly so they're going to invest in the political arena in one of their agendas."

According to Laursen, many Christian educators are also upset with the national organization. "Our phones have been ringing off the hook -- not only since this news, but even [about] the millions upon millions of dollars that the NEA has been investing in the Obama campaign," he shares.

California teachers can make their dues send a message the California group, he adds. "They can ask that all political contributions that come out of their dues be returned to them," says Laursen.

Then teachers can utilize the funds in any fashion they want, he explains, including donating to causes they can endorse. Laursen says many calls they have received want information about joining Christian Educators Association International.

CTA's State Council of Education, which consists of more than 800 member delegates, determined the union's recommendation on Prop. 8.

Opposition to CA Prop 8: Hate in the Name of Love

The entire article can be found here.

Next to the presidential election, California Proposition 8 is the most important vote in America.

It will determine the definition of marriage for the largest state in America, and it will determine whether judges or society will decide on social-moral issues.

In 2000, 61 percent of the voters in California, one the most liberal states in America, voted to retain the only definition of marriage civilization has ever had -- the union of a man and woman (the number of spouses allowed has changed over time but never the sexes of the spouses). But in May 2008, four out of seven California justices decided that they would use their power to make a new definition: Gender will now be irrelevant to marriage.

As a result of this judicial act, the only way to ensure that we continue to define marriage the way every religious and secular society in recorded history has defined marriage -- as between men and women -- is to amend the California Constitution. It is the only way to prevent the vote of one judge from redefining marriage, as was also done in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Which is why Proposition 8 exists.

But even though California voters decided by a large margin to retain the man-woman definition of marriage, passing Proposition 8 will be a challenge.

First, the attorney general of California, Jerry Brown, unilaterally renamed the proposition as it appears on California ballots. It had been listed as "Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Brown, a liberal Democrat, changed the proposition's wording to: "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment."

The reason for this change is obvious -- to make the proposition appear as a denial of a basic human and civil right.

Marriage has never been regarded as a universal human or civil right. Loving and living with anyone one wants to live with are basic human rights. But marriage is actually a privilege that society bestows on whom it chooses. And even those who believe that any two unmarried people who want to get married should be given a marriage license should regard as wrong an attorney general changing a ballot proposition's language to favor his own social views. What Brown did was attempt to manipulate people who lean toward preserving the definition of the most important social institution in society -- people who have no desire whatsoever to hurt gays -- to now think of themselves as bigots.

According to Sacramento Bee columnist Margaret A. Bengs, "a recent Field Poll analysis found" that the new wording by Brown "had a 'striking' impact on those newly familiar with the measure, with a 23-point swing against it."

Jennifer Morse is on this video!

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbEub3Eh2FI

She is at 4 minutes, 15 seconds.

Where is the love?

Toe-tapping video on the not-so-merry mishaps of Prop 8 signs: http://www.nomcalifornia.org/site/c.htJSJaMQIuE/b.4679961/

CA churches rally for Prop. 8

LA MESA, Calif. (AP) - Dozens of California churches linked by satellite have held a rally in support of a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Proposition 8 will end same-sex "marriages" in California if it passes on November 4.

Rev. Jim Garlow, whose Skyline Church hosted the Sunday night rally, urged Christians to be loving but fearless in upholding the biblical definition of marriage. He said many people who disapprove of same-sex marriage have been frightened into silence. "The number-one ingredient that causes people to compromise is when their desire for respectibility from other persons outweighs their reverent fear of God," said Garlow. "We must fear God more than man -- whatever it costs us."
Garlow and other pastors in the simulcast event urged California Christians to fast and pray and get out the vote in favor of Proposition 8 on Election Day.

Read the article here.

Yes on 8 sign mischief has escalated to a whole new level.

From a reader:

Yesterday my husband and I had the privilege of meeting a family a few streets over from us. We drove past shortly after an unwelcome car had been parked in front of their house (explained by the homeowner, below). We stopped to offer our support. Like many who are displaying "Yes on 8" signs in our neighborhood, the family is Mormon. Another neighbor told us that several high schoolers had been threatened and even beaten up for expressing support for Prop 8.

From their neighbor:

In response to having lawn signs stolen on a regular basis in our area, we decided to display our position on Prop 8 with a large banner.

This afternoon a couple of women pulled up in front of our home and started painting on the windows of their car. I guess they disagreed with us.

As they were painting these messages, my husband came out and asked them if they would like to have a conversation. The "conversation" consisted of them calling us bigots, promoters of hate & prejudice, parents who didn't protect their children and un-Christian (this last comment causing my 11 year old son to cry because he IS a Christian and is so very proud of it!) My husband and children tried to engage in conversation to share our concerns and point of view and were met with increased intensity and anger. Their entire message was that we were closed-minded, motivated by hate and prejudice.

In the end, we left them to their project...knowing that sharing and trying to understand one another's point of view was NOT something they were interested in. Here's what we were left with in front of our home. (See photos below.) By the way...we live across the street from a kindergarten playground...what a nice thing the kids will be able to see at recess and as they walk to and from home.

Now for the good news...since this happened this afternoon we've had all kinds of people drive by taking pictures, talking with us and expressing support. In fact, a wonderful family from our school stopped by to tell us how sorry they were. They are voting No on 8 and long ago we decided that we would be that balancing force for each other in the universe. I was impressed by the way they went out of their way to make sure all was well with us and to let us know that they supported us even though we disgree on this issue.

THIS is the American way... I wish this whole election process would be designed to promote these types of feelings among neighbors instead of the hate and intolerance that seems to be becoming such a prevalent part of our daily lives.

Well, that's what's happening at our house this weekend. Hope all is well with you and...don't forget to VOTE!!!

Prop 8 supporters not folding their tents

Could the tide be turning?

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=290610

Follow-up to the previous post

And this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH5fiHlYdIk&feature=related

First-hand look at the effects of being a Donor's son.

Who am I?

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wclrM4pdEwc

It's depressing that so many children don't know WHO they came from.

Prop 8 Supporters coming out en masse

Good work, Ruth!

An email sent to the Ruth Institute:

Dear Professor Morse,
S. and I want to thank you so much for doing such an excellent job at the debate yesterday! We really appreciate it. The student response to the debate as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive. We had over 400 in attendance! The debate really was a huge success! Students with whom I spoke today in my classes had positive comments about your presentation. At least one student stated in class today that it helped confirm her position! I have not yet heard from the Journalism Department regarding how soon the debate will be posted on our campus website, but I will let know as soon as I do. Again, we really do appreciate your willingness to take time out of your busy schedule to make this debate such a great success!
Best regards,
[name removed]

Prop 8 signs being removed

Here's an email sent to The Ruth Institute:

My sister in law sent an email to CH 8 re signs being taken/defaced, she got a reply immediately and just finished an interview with CH 8 it will air tonight at 5p.m.- They were surprised by how many folks are losing their signs.... both on public and private property- even from within gated yards and yards that had "Do not trespass signs"!