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Monthly Archives: March 2012

2,500 Catholic Parishes in UK Hear Pro-Marriage Message From Bishops

March 13, 2012 – 11:00 am

The Catholic bishops in England and Wales stepped up their educational and advocacy efforts on behalf of marriage by asking for a letter defending marriage to be read in 2,500 Catholic parishes last Sunday.

You can read the letter here and see excerpts of it here.

Here is the AP coverage of their efforts:

The Catholic Church in England intensified its campaign against government plans to legalize same-sex marriage Sunday, urging the faithful to protect the "true meaning" of matrimony for future generations.

In a letter read in 2,500 parish churches across the country during Sunday Mass, the church's senior archbishops argued that the proposed change would reduce the significance of marriage.

"The law helps to shape and form social and cultural values. A change in the law would gradually and inevitably transform society's understanding of the purpose of marriage," Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Peter Smith said in the letter.

"There would be no recognition of the complementarity of male and female or that marriage is intended for the procreation and education of children," they wrote.

The archbishops ended the letter by calling on Catholics to fulfill their duty to make sure "the true meaning of marriage is not lost for future generations."

Britain's government plans to allow everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, to have the option of a civil marriage. Prime Minister David Cameron has openly backed the plans, and the equalities minister will launch a consultation later this month on how to change the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

And here is video coverage, via Reuters:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments (5)

UK Government: Christians Have No Right to Wear Cross at Work

March 13, 2012 – 10:00 am

The Daily Telegraph:

In a highly significant move, ministers will fight a case at the European Court of Human Rights in which two British women will seek to establish their right to display the cross.

It is the first time that the Government has been forced to state whether it backs the right of Christians to wear the symbol at work.

A document seen by The Sunday Telegraph discloses that ministers will argue that because it is not a “requirement” of the Christian faith, employers can ban the wearing of the cross and sack workers who insist on doing so.

... The Government’s refusal to say that Christians have a right to display the symbol of their faith at work emerged after its plans to legalise same-sex marriages were attacked by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain.

... Exactly half of Conservative voters oppose same-sex marriage in principle and only 35 per cent back it.

There is no public appetite to change the law urgently, with more than three quarters of people polled saying it was wrong to fast-track the plan before 2015 and only 14 per cent saying it was right.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Free Speech, Law, Religious Liberty, United Kingdom | Comments (8)

LA Times Op-Ed: Free Speech Under Fire?

March 13, 2012 – 9:00 am

Jonathan Turley is a professor of public interest law at George Washington University, writing in the Los Angeles Times:

... To put it simply, Western nations appear to have fallen out of love with free speech and are criminalizing more and more kinds of speech through the passage of laws banning hate speech, blasphemy and discriminatory language. Ironically, these laws are defended as fighting for tolerance and pluralism.

After the lethal riots over Dutch cartoons in 2005 satirizing Muhammad, various Western countries have joined Middle Eastern countries in charging people with insulting religion. And prosecutions are now moving beyond anti-religious speech to anti-homosexual or even anti-historical statements. In Canada last year, comedian Guy Earle was found to have violated the human rights of a lesbian couple by making insulting comments at a nightclub. In Britain, Dale Mcalpine was charged in 2010 with causing "harassment, alarm or distress" after a gay community police officer overheard him stating that he viewed homosexuality as a sin. The charges were later dropped.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Europe, Free Speech, Law, United Kingdom | Comments (7)

Potential Challenger Says Roy McDonald Was Dishonest With Voters With Surprise Vote for SSM

March 13, 2012 – 8:00 am

The Albany Times Union:

...McDonald, R-Saratoga, may face a primary challenge from Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, R-Schaghticoke. He has criticized McDonald's vote in December to renew most of an expiring income tax surcharge and said he was dishonest with voters with his surprise vote for same-sex marriage — McDonald voted against the measure in 2009 and said he opposed it during his campaign.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Highlight: Pope Benedict's "Reasoned Defense of Christian Marriage"

March 12, 2012 – 1:30 pm

Here is what Pope Benedict told the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota (which has a marriage protection amendment on the ballot this November, as we know) during their recent visit:

... In this talk I would like to discuss another serious issue which you raised with me during my Pastoral Visit to America, namely, the contemporary crisis of marriage and the family, and, more generally, of the Christian vision of human sexuality. It is in fact increasingly evident that a weakened appreciation of the indissolubility of the marriage covenant, and the widespread rejection of a responsible, mature sexual ethic grounded in the practice of chastity, have led to grave societal problems bearing an immense human and economic cost.

Yet, as Blessed John Paul II observed, the future of humanity passes by way of the family. Indeed, “the good that the Church and society as a whole expect from marriage and from the family founded on marriage is so great as to call for full pastoral commitment to this particular area. Marriage and the family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself”.

In this regard, particular mention must be made of the powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage. The Church’s conscientious effort to resist this pressure calls for a reasoned defense of marriage as a natural institution consisting of a specific communion of persons, essentially rooted in the complementarity of the sexes and oriented to procreation. Sexual differences cannot be dismissed as irrelevant to the definition of marriage. Defending the institution of marriage as a social reality is ultimately a question of justice, since it entails safeguarding the good of the entire human community and the rights of parents and children alike... -- L'Osservatore Romano

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (58)

AP: Pope Denounces "Powerful Political and Cultural Currents Seeking to Alter the Legal Definition of Marriage"

March 12, 2012 – 1:00 pm

The Associated Press:

Pope Benedict XVI waded deep into U.S. campaign politics Friday, urging visiting U.S. bishops to beef up their teaching about the evils of premarital sex and cohabitation, and denouncing what he called the “powerful” gay marriage lobby in America.

... bishops have been at the forefront of the campaign against same-sex marriage, with at least five U.S. states scheduling ballot measures on the issue in coming months. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the head of the U.S. conference of bishops and archbishop of New York, unsuccessfully lobbied against the legalization of gay marriage in his state.... Benedict has long championed traditional marriage between man and woman, as well as opposition to premarital sex and fidelity within marriage. But his strong comments to visiting U.S. bishops took on particular significance given the culture wars that have erupted in the U.S. this campaign season.

The 84-year-old pope acknowledged his comments might sound anachronistic or “countercultural,” particularly to the young. But he told bishops to not back down in the face of “powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage.”

“Sexual differences cannot be dismissed as irrelevant to the definition of marriage,” he said.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (5)

Senate Republicans "Burned" Cardinal Dolan to Pass Gay Marriage in New York

March 12, 2012 – 12:00 pm

Dean Skelos (and/or other Republican leaders, since the Cardinal did not name Skelos) apparently promised the leader of the Catholic Church in America that gay marriage wouldn't pass--right before they put it up for a vote and passed it with the help of four turncoat Republicans. This is consistent with what we've seen over and over again: political leaders have no problem lying to bishops in order to keep the Catholic Church from gearing up for a fight.

Surprise surprise, politicians about to betray marriage have no problem lying to boot:

Cardinal Dolan has revealed for the first time that New York’s gay marriage vote caught the Catholic Church flat-footed — insisting it was “burned” by Senate Republicans who claimed the legislation didn’t have a prayer.

“We got burned last year when we were told the redefinition of marriage didn’t have much of a chance — and of course it did,” Dolan told the Daily News as he prepared for Monday’s annual Albany lobbying trip.

“Our Senate leaders, we highly appreciated them being with us all along,” he explained. “When they kind of assured us it didn’t have much of a chance — not that we let up, but we probably would have been much more vigorous and even more physically present if we knew there was a chance.” -- New York Daily News

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (13)

Brian Brown on 5 States Voting on Marriage: "We View it as a Massive Opportunity for a National Referendum"

March 12, 2012 – 11:00 am

Marching orders from our President Brian Brown, in the Associated Press:

Foes and supporters of same-sex marriage are gearing up for five costly and bruising statewide showdowns in the coming months on an issue that evenly divides Americans.

It's an election year subplot sure to stir up heated emotions — even beyond the confines of North Carolina, Minnesota, Maryland, Maine and Washington state. National advocacy groups will be deeply engaged, and advertising is likely to surface from each side that outrages the other.

"It's crunch time," said Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage, the paramount fundraiser for opponents of gay marriage. "We view it as a massive opportunity for a national referendum."

Brown predicts same-sex marriage will be rebuffed in all five states, while gay-marriage supporters hope they can score at least a few victories and break a long losing streak. Since 1998, 31 states have had ballot measures related to same-sex marriage, and in every state the opponents ended up prevailing.

... "It's going to be a big challenge, but I think we're up to it," said NOM's Brown. "All we need is enough to get our message out."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Video: UK Popstar Says State Should Arrest Clergy Who Speak Against Gay Marriage

March 12, 2012 – 10:00 am

The Christian Institute:

Openly gay popstar Will Young believes vicars who describe gay marriage as ‘abhorrent’ should be prosecuted for hate crimes.

He made the comments live on national television as BBC1’s Question Time debated Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s remarks about same-sex marriage.

Daily Mail columnist Janice Atkinson, who was also on the show, warned that clergy could be “called into a police station” for sharing their beliefs on traditional marriage in strong terms to which Mr Young replied “yes, rightfully so”.

...Mrs Atkinson added that Britain would be “walking into a police state if we go down that route”.

Earlier in the programme the popstar claimed that if Cardinal O’Brien had made similar remarks regarding race or religion “he’d be in court now”.

Government minister Eric Pickles said, “for merely expressing the view that it is wrong in the view of his religion, to turn that into a hate crime would be the worst kind of repression”.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Free Speech, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments (9)

GLAAD: Cameron's Views on Marriage are "Harmful And Have No Place in Modern America"

March 12, 2012 – 9:00 am

Kirk Cameron is fighting back against the hatred directed at him because of his views on marriage and morality:

Kirk Cameron is fighting back against the “hate speech” he feels he’s endured since calling homosexuality “unnatural,” “detrimental,” and “ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization” during a Friday appearance on “Piers Morgan Tonight” to promote his new film, “Monumental.”

In an email statement released exclusively to ABCNews.com today, Cameron said that when Morgan asked him to share his views on homosexuality, “I spoke as honestly as I could, but some people believe my responses were not loving toward those in the gay community. That is not true. I can assuredly say that it’s my life’s mission to love all people.”

“I should be able to express moral views on social issues,” he said, “especially those that have been the underpinning of Western civilization for 2,000 years — without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told from those who preach ‘tolerance’ that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I’m in the public square.”

He concluded, “I believe we need to learn how to debate these things with greater love and respect,” and added, “I’ve been encouraged by the support of many friends (including gay friends, incidentally).”

... “Obviously, Cameron has the right to recite his anti-gay talking points,” [GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick] added, “just like fair-minded Americans have the right to tell him that his views are harmful and have no place in modern America.” -- ABC News

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Media, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (39)

Gay Activists Promoting "30 Ways to Make a Baby" Children's Book

March 12, 2012 – 8:00 am

LifeSiteNews:

A sexpert who believes that sexuality is defined simply by pleasure and penned a graphic ‘how-to’ article for men on masturbation is about to publish a children’s book about how babies are made.

The homosexual rights community is getting behind the book for its positive portrayal of the dozens of alternative methods that can be used to create a new human life (about 30 according to the author). The author intends that his “book for kids about sex,” aimed at pre-schoolers through to 8-years-olds, will also be accompanied by a teacher’s resource to assist its implementation in a school setting.

Written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth, What Makes a Baby is what the author calls “my response to the fact that books about where babies come from leave many of us out.” The book is designed to include “all kinds of families - regardless of how many people were involved, what the orientation, gender identity, or other make up of the family is, or how it came to be that way.”

... Silverberg disparages traditional stories that tell what he calls a “nice story (mommy + daddy + intercourse = you!)” adding, “more and more of us are acknowledging the help we get to bring children into our lives. That help might be a doctor, fertility clinic, adoption or foster agency; it might be a turkey baster and a friend; it might be a sperm donor or a surrogate.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Education, Ethics, Parenting, Science | Comments (16)

CNA: Maine Diocese Will Oppose 'Gay Marriage' Ballot Question

March 11, 2012 – 11:00 am

Catholic News Agency:

While some media outlets have presented Bishop Richard Malone of Portland’s new pastoral letter on marriage as a sign the Catholic Church in Maine will not back a ballot measure to recognize “gay marriage” in the state, the diocese maintains that is not the case.

“There will be a ballot question committee, it will be established. We will work closely with that ballot question committee to promote the cause of defending marriage in November,” Brian Souchet, director of the Diocese of Portland’s Office for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, told CNA March 7.

“We still have a bully pulpit and the media’s still coming to us and we’re preaching the same message that we preached in 2009,” he added.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Maine, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

FRC's Prof. Pat Fagan on The Difference Family Structure Makes

March 10, 2012 – 11:00 am

Prof. Pat Fagan of the Family Research Council on his personal blog:

What is Marriage? Many arguments are proffered as to why traditional marriage (between a man and a woman) needs to be defended. In the end, all arguments come down to the question, what is marriage and does marriage matter? Do intact marriages have any different positive benefits for those involved whether it is the individuals in the relationship or the children? The Marriage and Religion Research Institute seeks to answer these questions by using the social sciences to show that there is clearly a difference between intact marriages and non-intact marriages.

There is overwhelming evidence supporting the numerous benefits that an intact married family provides. [Continue reading]

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Marriage, Parenting, Research/Study | Comments (8)

Melanie McDonagh's Spirited Defense of Marriage

March 10, 2012 – 9:00 am

Melanie McDonagh, a journalist who lives in London, offers a provocative and creative defense of marriage in the UK Spectator:

...In other words, objection to gay marriage isn’t about religion at all and the letter that the bishops are sending to Catholic churches does, to do them credit, make that clear.

It’s all to do with the nature of marriage. And that is, a natural institution providing the optimal situation for raising children. It’s vulgarly biological, marriage — a state for bringing up children in. And that’s how it’s been for almost all of human history. Even in ancient Greece, which practically invented homosexuality — alright, it was especially about the Socratic master-pupil relationship — reserved marriage for men and women, for the conceiving and bearing of children. And it’s that fundamental character of marriage which makes it essentially heterosexual. It’s to do with the complementarity of the sexes. Men and women fulfill different roles when it comes to the rearing of their offspring, and even in an atypical family like my own, in which I’m the sole breadwinner, those complementary roles make sense. Children relate differently to mothers and fathers; they pick up cues about how the sexes work, even children who go on to become gay. And departing from that biological foundation for marriage is a radically new departure.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments (3)

23-Year-Old Tells Minnesota RINOs: Protecting Marriage Won't Alienate Young Voters

March 9, 2012 – 3:00 pm

Janet Rother writes to the Minnesota Post-Bulletin:

In their Feb. 25 column in the Post-Bulletin, Republican State Reps. Tim Kelly and John Kriesel state that the Minnesota Marriage Amendment is not Republican and that it will further alienate young voters.

As a 23 year-old conservative, I beg to differ.

... Government is involved in marriage to support the best environment for the raising of children. In addition, these children can only be conceived through the relationship of one man and one woman, the most stable form of this being a marriage. Natural law tells us that this complementary union of man and woman is the only way for life to be formed. And history and reason show us that children are raised best when nurtured by both a mother and a father.

By voting 'yes' on the Marriage Amendment, Minnesotans can assure that the citizens of the state hold the power to uphold marriage in its true form. If the amendment fails to pass, our state may fall with Iowa, Massachusetts and California, where activist judges “redefined” the oldest institution in our culture.

Reps. Kelly and Kriesel, that doesn’t sound very Republican to me.