A Religious Psuh Against Gay Unions

[Daniel]

The NYTimes today (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/24/washington/24catholic.html) carries an article on the renewed push for the banning of gay unions via a constitutional amendment.

What is different about this new petition is the involvement of high ranking Roman Chatholic officials. It was evangelical Protestants that lead this movement in 2004. The petition is being organzied by Robert P. George of Princeton, a Catholic scholar. Bill Frist (TN), Rick Santorum (PA) and Sam Brownback (KS) were also involved.

No one involved expects the measure to pass. It does seem, however, that this renewed push is intended to get out the vote. Another instance where the flames of homophobia are being fanned in an attempt to accrue power.

[keltic63]

The NYTimes today (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/24/washington/24catholic.html) carries an article on the renewed push for the banning of gay unions via a constitutional amendment.

What is different about this new petition is the involvement of high ranking Roman Chatholic officials. It was evangelical Protestants that lead this movement in 2004. The petition is being organzied by Robert P. George of Princeton, a Catholic scholar. Bill Frist (TN), Rick Santorum (PA) and Sam Brownback (KS) were also involved.

No one involved expects the measure to pass. It does seem, however, that this renewed push is intended to get out the vote. Another instance where the flames of homophobia are being fanned in an attempt to accrue power.

even Santorum's supporters here in PA are tired of him; there's a chance he won't win re-election.

[keltic63]

here's some more about our friend, Rick:
Rick says the Bible is for Bashing Others, Not Reading
"I've never read the Bible cover to cover; maybe I should have."
- Rick, quoted in the New York Times Magazine, noting that he "is not a reader of scripture" and instead "reads magazines and journals offering commentary on religion."

"In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That's not to pick on homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be."
- Rick, letting his imagination run wild, in the famous interview (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-04-23-santorum-excerpt_x.htm) that creeped out America.

[Zerbie]

While *some* folks in favor of these amendments support them out of sincere beliefs (usually the voter), the *political* push is a smokescreen. Gays are being used to obscure big money scandals, oil prices, energy crises, global warming, oh, an annoying little - WAR!!!!!, and a rapidly growing economic divide in the US that is obliterating the middle class and throwing ever greater numbers of citizens into poverty. But if they can rouse enough hatred of gays, everyone will vote against their own best economic interests and keep the power structure that is exploiting the country.

This is wonderfully illustrated by Jim Wallis in his essay "A Prophetic Politics." In 2002 he was a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Here's his story: "A Republican strategist dropped in one night to give a speech and attend a private dinner afterward. He radiated success, having just won five gubernatorial and Senate races, and he wanted to tell us all how he'd done it. . . .To get working-class people and many middle-class people, he explained, we use abortion, marriage, and family. . . .By hooking people on those issues. . .we get them to vote against their economic self-interest."

Scary.

Not that I have opinions about that or anything. ;)

As for the Catholics being more involved in these political causes, yeah, I've noticed it over here. The anti-family marriage amendment being pushed out here has been endorsed by, I forget the exact term, whether it was a counsel of bishops, or an arch-diocese. Something, anyway, amounting to a group of Catholic-higher-ups. Symptomatic of a rise in social intolerance from many religions around the globe.

[awediot]

:eek: WOW Zerbie! We are used for all that? Who knew?

(I'm in a particularly snide mood today)

[NathanATX]

(I'm in a particularly snide mood today)

Let's hope this mood lifts soon.

[NonLemming]

But I thought the Catholic higher ups f****d children. Why would their opinion matter?

[Zerbie]

Dear God, is *everyone* in this punchy mood today or what?? Geez!

[NathanATX]

But I thought the Catholic higher ups f****d children. Why would their opinion matter?

I don't agree with using the vulgar language, but I think you have a point. We need to point out that the allies of this discriminatory action are religious leaders who shielded perpetrators of violence against children from punishment.

[tdogg]

, everyone will vote against their own best economic interests and keep the power structure that is exploiting the country.

It amazes me that 'everyone' complains like crazy when the gas prices go up, yet 'they' continue to vote for the very people responsible for this! Like cutting off their nose to spite their face! :mad:

Not in a snide mood - however, in a brain-cell depleted condition!! :eek:

[NonLemming]

I apoligize, Nathan. "Molested". The same thing, though I'm glad you address it as a problem also. I'll try to soften the reality. Again, I do apologize.

[reddstunna77]

Wow this is my first response to this site and I can say I`m glad we have a place to discuss issues that need to be discussed I have been in the dark for awhile now let`s say 28 years and 9 of those years I have been out of the closet. Now just recently I`ve started college and working on an essay on gay rights . I had no idea the magnitude of the equal rights and the struggle we face daily until now. Now more than ever I believe education is the key to freedom and if this is just the beginning of my college education and already I`m learning so much. It is money worth spending. And to read about a pennsylvania legislator Mr Santorum connecting us to pedophlia and beastiality makes me sick. This is what pisses me off on one hand , it doesn`t bother me that your gay but on the other we are grouped into a category of some psychologcal disorder ridden group.o.k. I needed to get that off my chest and I`m looking forward to many more threads. schoolwork calls. later Chad