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Maine4Marriage Challenges Claim That Religious Liberty Protected in SSM Proposal

July 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Maine4Marriage, one of the smaller political action committees opposing the November gay-marriage ballot question, has challenged Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine to explain the ballot question's implications for religious freedom.

"We do not know why your organization decided not to include more protection for religious freedom in your proposed law as other states have done," wrote Miriam Conners, a Topsham woman listed as principle officer of Maine4Marriage. "But if this law is adopted, that decision will result in unnecessary and divisive litigation and conflict in our state over religious freedom."

... In a letter to Smith, Conners cited experts quoted in the book "Banned in Boston: The Coming Conflict Between Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty." Among the experts quoted are Anthony Picarello, president and general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Chai Feldbaum, a former Georgetown Law School professor and member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Maine, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

The Geography of Snobbishness

July 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and one of the formulators of the thoroughly-debunked "gay marriage is good for the economy" meme is out with a new article for the Atlantic comically called "The Geography of Tolerance".

Oh please. This strikes me as yet another elitist attempt to badger the "unevolved" masses into being more like their liberal neighbors by selecting indicators and measurements that Florida has decided represent good and laudable values and attitudes. For instance, Florida's metrics for how "tolerant" an area of the country includes factors such as "The Gay Index" (the concentration of gays and lesbians).

Florida expounds:

"Openness to gays and lesbians similarly reflects an ecosystem that is open to new people and new ideas. It’s amazing how consistently people have misconstrued what my colleagues and I have had to say about the connection between gays and economic growth. They miss the point. A strong and vibrant gay community is a solid leading indicator of a place that is open to many different kinds of people. Ronald Inglehart, who has studied the relationship between culture and economic growth for some four decades, has noted that the lack of societal acceptance of gays is the most significant remaining bastion of intolerance and discrimination around the world..."

...Really? "The most significant remaining bastion of intolerance and discrimination around the world" isn't say, apartheid, but "lack of societal acceptance of gays"? Pardon me for not trusting Florida's "geography of tolerance" if absurd claims like this constitute his starting point.

As for Florida's complaint that people have "misconstrued" what he has argued about gays and economic growth, actually I would argue that people have haven't misconstrued Florida -- they've refuted him. Steven Malanga, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute argued in the Wall Street Journal that Florida's "creative class" thesis was nothing more than "economic snake oil".

This Atlantic article by Florida is an abridged and revised excerpt from his new book, "The Rise of the Creative Class, Revisited" which is out this month, which means we can expert more charts and graphs of this kind in the future.

But snake oil in a new bottle is still just the same old snake oil.

By Thomas Peters | Posted in Culture, Economics, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (19)

Video: What Kind of Issues Would Children Face if Marriage is Redefined?

July 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Kalley Yanta of the Minnesota Marriage Minute explains:
"Experience shows that whenever same-sex marriage becomes the law, children will be exposed to it at an early age -- as early as kindergarten. When same-sex marriage was imposed by the courts in Massachusetts, for example, second graders were taught in school that boys could marry other boys. Parents objected to this instruction but the schools and the court ruled they had no legal right to opt children out of this instruction."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Debating Marriage, Education, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (25)

Prof. Robert George On The Likely Consequences for Liberty of "Marriage Equality"

July 19, 2012 at 11:30 am

NOM's founding Chairman Prof. Robert George in the Public Discourse:

It was only yesterday, was it not, that we were being assured that the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex partnerships would have no impact on persons and institutions that hold to the traditional view of marriage as a conjugal union? Such persons and institutions would simply be untouched by the change. It won’t affect your marriage or your life, we were told, if the law recognizes Henry and Herman or Sally and Sheila as “married.”

Those offering these assurances were also claiming that the redefinition of marriage would have no impact on the public understanding of marriage as a monogamous and sexually exclusive partnership. No one, they insisted, wanted to alter those traditional marital norms. On the contrary, the redefinition of marriage would promote and spread those norms more broadly.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (31)

President of Chick-Fil-A Proud to Stand for Biblical and Family Values

July 19, 2012 at 11:00 am

The Baptist Press profiles a corporate hero for marriage:

Dan Cathy oversees one of the country's most successful businesses. As president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A, Cathy leads a business with 1,608 restaurants that had sales of more than $4 billion dollars last year. They sell chicken and train employees to focus on values rooted in the Bible.

... The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners.

It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.

"That morphed into a marriage program in conjunction with national marriage ministries," Cathy added.

Some have opposed the company's support of the traditional family. "Well, guilty as charged," said Cathy when asked about the company's position.

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.

"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

"We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Religious Liberty | Comments (34)

Pastor Bob Emrich: Gay Marriage Doesn't Fit Because Marriage is Society's Bond With Children

July 19, 2012 at 10:00 am

Bob Emrich is the Pastor of Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church and serves on the executive committee of Protect Marriage Maine and is the chairman of the Christian Civic League. He writes in the Bangor Daily News:

"...The debate is not whether same-sex couples should be able to live as they wish or love whom they choose. But marriage is about far more than what adults want for themselves. It’s about what children need.

Marriage provides in large part a mechanism to provide for the next generation. It is society’s bond with children. It says to children that we as a community have recognized a structure, the institution of marriage, that is uniquely focused on connecting children to the people responsible for bringing them into the world — their parents. Indeed, marriage is our only institution that is focused on children in this way.

... The shortcomings of the institution of marriage (divorce, co-habitation, adultery, etc.) are no reason to abandon it. Rather, we should be strengthening marriage by devoting resources — in churches, in schools and in nonprofit agencies and departments of government — to creating a thriving marriage culture in our state and nation.

The Bangor Daily News joins with backers of same-sex to attempt to make marriage a political issue. It isn’t. Marriage wasn’t created by government; it was merely recognized by government. There is nothing political about marriage in the least. And in making it a political issue, the paper and gay marriage advocates (really, they are one and the same), seek to set up a straw-man confrontation with anyone who opposes redefining marriage."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Culture, Maine, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (12)

Minnesota Black Pastor Who Supported SSM Forced to Close Doors

July 19, 2012 at 9:00 am

The Pioneer Press:

Grace Community United Church of Christ will close its doors this weekend, but the pastor who says his decision to publicly support gay-marriage rights unwittingly thrust it on a path toward financial ruin plans to find a new home for his small congregation.

He has faith that his flock will follow.

The Rev. Oliver White, 69, had hoped fundraising would keep the predominantly African-American church on St. Paul's East Side open after a Seattle investor demanded full payment on a high-interest loan.

But after a well-publicized Internet campaign raised only about $56,000 of the $200,000 the church needs to pay off its debt, White has decided to call it quits. He will close Grace Community United and look for a new home elsewhere for what remains of his once-bountiful congregation.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (9)

Republican Seeking to Unseat Pro-SSM Sherrod Brown Promises Ohio Tea Party He Will "Protect the Sanctity of Marriage"

July 19, 2012 at 8:00 am

Someone to have on our radar!

Lonnie Timmons III/The Plain Dealer

Instead of tuning into Tuesday night’s All Star game, about 300 people gathered at the Sharonville Convention Center for a tea party rally in support of Josh Mandel, Ohio Treasurer and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

The mostly middle-aged white crowd included a handful of local politicians and political activists. Utah Sen. Mike Lee also spoke in support for the conservative ideals and to promote Mandel.

... Mandel also said he is fighting Sen. Brown on the issue of expanding same-sex marriages and will “protect the sanctity of marriage.”

“This is a fight that I will never, ever back down,” he said.

Mandel concluded by echoing calls from Lee for support and volunteer efforts from the crowd.

“We will talk until we are blue in the face and argue until we are hoarse,” Lee said. “But we will make this change happen.” -- Cincinatti.com's Politics Extra

By NOM Staff | Posted in Iowa, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

AFA: JCPenney Stock Crashes With News of Gay Marriage Support

July 19, 2012 at 7:00 am

The American Family Association:

Simply put, people are not shopping at J.C. Penney. AFA and OneMillionMoms are showing success in the effort to educate people to Penney's aggressive national campaign to promote "gay" marriage.The company is going downhill fast. Since February, the company stock has lost more than half its value, and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its credit rating on J.C. Penney Co. further into "junk" status.

First-year CEO Ron Johnson's decisions have led to disastrous results for the company. Rather than build on the faith-based traditions of founder James Cash Penney, Johnson has abandoned family values and taken the company into a financial tailspin by embracing social activism.

Families are the backbone of Penney's existence. As long as it pushes homosexual marriage, families will go elsewhere.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Economics, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (21)

U. of Texas Clarifies: Prof. Regnerus Not Being Investigated

July 18, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Rod Dreher was contacted by the media office at the University of Texas with this update:

Last week’s blog posting by Rod Dreher contained information that was not accurate and that was drawn from a media report which has since been clarified by the publication.

There is no formal investigation into Dr. Regnerus’ work. Rather, there is an inquiry — any and all allegations of scientific misconduct against a faculty member automatically trigger such an inquiry, which is a preliminary fact finding exercise led by the Vice President for Research’s office. This is standard operating procedure. The purpose of the inquiry is to determine whether the allegations have merit and warrant a full investigation. Nearly 30 complaints of scientific misconduct have automatically triggered an inquiry over the past 15 years — very few have led to investigations. An inquiry implies no wrongdoing. It merely confirms that we received a complaint and take all complaints seriously.

Mr. Dreher asks “How is it that a blogger can write a letter to the president of the university lodging a very serious, potentially career-destroying professional complaint against a professor, and the university can turn around and effectively put the professor on trial?”

The answer, quite simply is “he can’t.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Free Speech, Research/Study, Science | Comments (24)

Jon Voight Defends Brad Pitt's Mom After She Receives Death Threats

July 18, 2012 at 2:30 pm

Fox11:

AP Photo/Peter Kramer

"...Mrs. Pitt has at least one high-profile supporter on her daughter-in-law's side of the family: Jolie's dad Jon Voight!

“Good for her,” Voight told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column, adding that he agrees with the points-of-view expressed by Jane.

A rep for Brad Pitt, an avid supporter of President Obama, did not respond for further comment. Jane Pitt declined further comment when we attempted to reach her.

Brad’s brother Doug also defended his mother earlier this week during an appearance on the "Today Show."

“I think moms and dads and kids agree to disagree all over the world. So why would our family be any different? There can be healthy discussion when people disagree with you,” he said. “The bad thing is when it turns to venom and negativity, and we don’t have that in our family. It’s open discussion. We can learn from each other and, if anything, it solidifies your point. Or maybe you learn something.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Culture, Marriage, President Obama, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (8)

Minnesota Senator Announces Hearing on Marriage Amendment Title Wording

July 18, 2012 at 1:00 pm

The Faribault Daily News (emphasis ours):

State Senator Mike Parry (R — Waseca) announced Monday he will convene a meeting of the State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee on Friday.

“In light of recent developments, the committee expects Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and State Attorney General Lori Swanson to explain their involvement surrounding the constitutional amendment questions on the November ballot,” said Senator Parry in a release.

Voters will weigh in on two proposed amendments this November, one which would add the definition of marriage as a union of a man and woman to the constitution, and another that would change the constitution to require voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be held in room 123 of the State Capitol.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Events, Marriage, Minnesota, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Minnesota Lawmakers Prepare Bill to Counter Sec. of State Amendment Title Change

July 18, 2012 at 12:00 pm

CBS Minnesota:

Gov. Mark Dayton is considering a special legislative session for state aid to flood-weary northeastern Minnesota. But some lawmakers are talking about adding another item to the agenda, that could revive two of the most controversial issues of the last decade.

It’s a call to arms for irritated Republican lawmakers. They’re preparing legislation to stop Secretary of State Mark Ritchie from changing the wording for the gay marriage and voter ID amendments on the ballot this fall.

Republicans say the new wording on the constitutional amendments is a deliberate attempt to turn voters against them. And they are preparing to pass a new law to stop it from happening.

“If the governor wants to call a special session, then game on,” said Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge. “If the Secretary of State wants to play political games, then let’s engage.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Anne Sorock on the Age of Bullying Marketing

July 18, 2012 at 11:00 am

Anne Sorock of the Legal Insurrection blog pierces past the rhetoric:

"We’ve become accustomed to leftist agenda-ists using campaigns of intimidation and bullying to push their way into the public school system, museums, our churches and synagogues, and of course into the old guard media. Are consumer packaged goods the final frontier?

... Is it inclusive to introduce a highly politicized debate into a cookie’s branding, thereby opening up the opportunity to alienate a huge–if not majority–portion of your consumers? No, it is selective inclusion, a negation in terms, or as I call it, “Bully Marketing.”

As in the case of the McDonald’s happy meal toy in San Francisco, a small, relentless group of leftist activists intimidate large companies into embracing the carefully calculated leftist narrative of inclusiveness and tolerance, which really just means, promote their politics."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (19)

Ryan Anderson Reviews Maggie Gallagher's New Book Debating SSM

July 18, 2012 at 10:00 am

Ryan Anderson, editor of the Public Discourse and William E. Simon Fellow at the Heritage Foundation reviews NOM co-founder Maggie Gallegher's new book where she debates Prof. John Corvino:

The debate over whether to recognize same-sex relationships as marriages is among the most sensitive, difficult, and important in American public life. Sensitive, because it addresses real people’s happiness, and provokes strong emotions. Difficult, because it occurs between reasonable people of good will with different visions of the common good, in a culture already long confused about marriage and sexuality. Important, because the family is society’s foundation.

... The authors seek to “achieve disagreement”: to understand precisely where and why they differ, a rare feat “in the face of a sometimes ugly division.” And in 100 pages each of positive arguments, and 20 pages each of replies, they do just that. The total effect is to give readers a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments, without the usual spike in blood pressure.