NOM BLOG

Methodists Vote 60%-40% in Favor of Retaining Traditional Teaching on Same-Sex Relationships

The Associated Press:

After an emotional debate, Methodists at a national legislative meeting Thursday upheld the denomination’s policy that same-sex relationships are “incompatible with Christian teaching.’”

Delegates at the General Conference voted by about 60 percent to 40 percent against softening the language on homosexuality in their Book of Discipline, which contains church laws and doctrine. The meeting is held once every four years, which means the policy won’t come up for a conference vote again until 2016.

... With just under 8 million U.S. members, the United Methodist Church is the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the country, with a significant and growing membership of more than 4 million overseas.

Joel Osteen on Protecting Marriage and Respecting Gay People

Last Sunday Joel Osteen was interviewed by Mike Wallace on FOX News:

WALLACE: Is being gay a sin?

J. OSTEEN: I believe the Scripture says that being gay is a sin. But, you know, every time I say that, Chris, I get people say, well, you are a gay hater and you're a gay basher. I'm not. I don't -- I don't dislike anybody. Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world.

But my faith is based on what I believe the Scripture says and that's the way I read the Scripture.

WALLACE: So, do you think gays should have any of the rights of heterosexual couples, civil unions, marriage?

J. OSTEEN: I think we should discriminate against anybody. So, I think -- yes, I don't think there is an issue where somebody couldn't go visit a gay loved one in the hospital. I don't think that's right. They love each other.

So, I think there should be some. I'm not for gay marriage, but I'm not for discriminating against people.

UK Minister: Gay Marriage Cost Tories at Local Election

Once again, undermining marriage carries with it consequences for politicians who give in to elite sentiment, ignoring the people!

The UK Christian Institute:

A Conservative government minister has said that his party’s poor performance at the local elections is partly down to its bid to redefine marriage.

Gerald Howarth, a defence minister, made the comments after his party lost hundreds of seats, including some in the Prime Minister’s own constituency.

Mr Howarth told the BBC: “There are issues, for example, like the proposal for gay marriage.

... With results still coming in, the Conservatives have lost control of 11 councils and nearly 300 seats.

Among those areas taken by Labour were Witney Central, Witney East and Chipping Norton – which are all in David Cameron’s South Oxfordshire constituency.

Earlier this week a poll found voters in Witney are being alienated by Mr Cameron’s support for redefining marriage.

Two thirds of his constituents want to keep marriage as it is – between one man and one woman – the survey showed.

Gay Couple "Devastated" After Allegedly Botched IVF Results in Babies of Different Races

The Blaze:

A gay couple in London is reportedly “devastated” after an alleged in vitro fertilization mix-up left them with two children from different racial backgrounds, NewsCore reported.

The couple said the allegedly botched treatment only came to light recently after their second child was born; they had wanted to use the same sperm donor again so their children would be genetically related.

“The damage to the [younger] child in the future, to both the siblings and the family unit could be quite catastrophic,” said Caron Heyes, the couple’s lawyer.

Redefining Marriage Could Cost Tories Up to 30 Seats in UK Parliament; Over 1.1 Million Votes

Gay marriage is a "conservative" position? Conservative voters in the UK evidently don't think so:

The Conservative Party could lose up to 30 Parliamentary seats and over 1.1 million votes if it bulldozes ahead with plans to redefine marriage, a new poll shows.

The poll, conducted by ComRes, shows that the party’s support for gay marriage is alienating former Tory voters.

For every disaffected Tory supporter attracted back to the party, it loses almost three because of its stance on the issue.

An analysis of the polling figures shows that the Tories stand to lose anywhere between eight and 30 Parliamentary seats, and could lose more than 1.1 million votes in a general election. -- UK Christian Institute

Video: Kalley Yanta Argues for Monogamy in Marriage [Contra Dan Savage]

Kalley Yanta for the Minnesota Marriage Minute explains why gay and lesbian relationships are not the same as marriage relationships, and Dan Savage enters into the discussion:

"...studies of gay relationships show they are fundamentally different than the marriage relationship. Marriage is characterized by a lifelong commitment of both love and fidelity. Indeed, fidelity is universally expected in marriage, however fidelity and monogamy are fundamentally lacking in many gay relationships.

... Dan Savage, a prominent gay sex counselor, is an outspoken advocate of open relationships, not only among the gay community but among married heterosexual couples as well. He says 'monogamy is ridiculous and people aren't any good at it, we're not wired for it, we didn't evolve to be, it's unnatural, and it places a tremendous strain on our marriages and our long-term commitments to expect them to be effortlessly monogamous.' This attitude by the nation's leading media and gay advocacy voices shows how redefining marriage will impact all of society."

If you have not yet joined the thousands of us who have signed a petition to President Obama about Dan Savage please do so now!

New Civitas Poll: NC Marriage Amendment Ahead by 16 Points!

Most notably, the poll shows the Marriage Protection Amendment winning among Democrats as well:

Marriage Amendment proponents appear to be ahead in North Carolina, according to polling done by the Civitas Institute on April 30 to May 2.

Support for the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would give the current definition of marriage additional legal protection remains strong as One-Stop Absentee Voting enters its final days. Applying survey results to current voter turnout trends and anticipated election day voting would project the amendment winning by no less than a 16 percentage-point margin.

A survey of partisan primary voters shows the amendment winning among Democrats by a slim 48-to-44 percent margin and among Republicans by a 78-to-15 percent margin. The largest supporters of the amendment among Democratic voters are black voters (38 percent of the sample), who support the amendment by a 2-to-1 margin -- 63 to 30 percent. Self-identified conservative Democrats (23 percent of the sample) support the amendment by an 82-to-13 percent margin. -- ABC WWAY 3

Maryland Marriage Alliance More Than Half Way to Signature Goal!

The Washington Times:

Opponents of Maryland’s same-sex marriage law said Wednesday they have collected more than half the signatures necessary to force a November referendum.

The Maryland Marriage Alliance says it has collected more than 30,000 signatures from voters hoping to overturn the law, which was passed in February by the General Assembly and signed by Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Petitioners have until June 30 to collect 55,736 valid voter signatures, which must be validated by the state Board of Elections. They must submit one-third of those signatures — or 18,579 of them — by May 31.

...No state has ever upheld gay marriage in a referendum, but more than 30 states have rejected it.

Sen. Grisanti's First Campaign Ad Careful to Avoid Mentioning His Vote on SSM

The campaign to re-elect Sen. Grisanti, financed almost entirely by the money he raised from out-of-state pro-SSM interests, mentions everything except his vote to redefine marriage and betray his constituents. New York's Capital Tonight points out the hypocrisy:

Sen. Mark Grisanti is putting his large campaign war chest to good work, releasing a 30-second TV ad today that gives the Buffalo Republican credit for the tax code overhaul, last year’s ethics law and the long sought UB2020 legislation.

Conspicuously absent from the ad: Grisanti’s yes vote for same-sex marriage.

Grisanti was one of four Republican yes votes for same-sex marriage, a move that cost him support from the Erie County Conservative Party. Grisanti, who won a narrow victory against Sen. Antoine Thompson that ultimately help the GOP gain control of he chamber, represents a Democratic-heavy district.

Like the other GOP lawmakers who voted for the law (Sens. Roy McDonald, Stephen Saland and Jim Alesi) Grisanti is flush with cash from LGBT advocates and other gay marriage supporters who backed the bill.

Video: North Carolina Citizens Debate Marriage Protection Amendment on Local TV

Local WXII12 hosted an hour long conversation between four citizens who support the amendment, and four opposed. Here's what was aired on TV:

Goldman Sachs CEO Says Supporting Gay Marriage Is "Not Without a Price"

The Financial Times:

Lloyd Blankfein told a group of Wall Street gay activists that Goldman Sachs had lost at least one client because of its stance in favour of gay marriage.

“It’s not without a price,” the Goldman chief executive told an audience on Wednesday. “There was some adverse reaction by someone ... They didn’t want to continue a relationship that they had with us in money management ... I won’t say the name but if you heard the name it wouldn’t surprise you.”

... He was recruited in February to be a public spokesman for same-sex marriage by the Human Rights Campaign, putting him at the forefront of a politically charged issue.

Audio: NOM Chairman John Eastman on Steve Deace Show Discussing the IRS Leak

NOM Chairman of the Board John Eastman discusses the IRS leak of NOM's private tax information:

"There are only a couple explanations [for how NOM's tax documents came to be online]: either somebody illegally hacked into the IRS computer systems, which is troubling, or an IRS official leaked it, which is a felony, or somebody impersonated an official from the National Organization for Marriage, which is also a felony.... punishable by up to five years in federal prison for disclosing it, for publishing it for even looking at other people's tax returns knowing you did not have lawful access to it."

Dan Savage, Pick On Someone Your Own Size! NOM Marriage News

NOM National Newsletter

Dear Marriage Supporter,

By now you've probably heard about the incredibly squalid performance of President Obama's anti-bullying advisor, Dan Savage.

If not, go watch this video here:

 

Invited to address the issue of bullying before a captive audience of other people's children, Dan Savage chose instead to belittle these high-schoolers' faith, to repeatedly curse at the Bible, and, when a group of rather brave students quietly walked out, to curse directly at them.

He has refused to apologize for any of it, except for directly cursing at the teens who left.

As a father of seven, watching it makes my blood boil.

Let me lay down a public challenge to Dan Savage right here and now: You want to savage the Bible? Christian morality? Traditional marriage? Pope Benedict? I'm here, you name the time and the place and let's see what a big man you are in a debate with someone who can talk back. It's easy to make high-school girls cry by picking on them. Let's pick on someone our own size!

Here's Dan Savage following up on that performance with an incredibly filthy and obscene attack on the Pope from the Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at Elmhurst College in Illinois. Warning: It's sexually-explicit and disgusting language. Please do not play it where children can hear.

 

I'm here, any time, any place you name, Dan Savage. You will find out out how venal and ridiculous your views of these things are if you dare to accept a challenge.

But our greater challenge is to Pres. Obama and the White House, which is continuing to host and promote Dan Savage's anti-bullying campaign It Gets Better.

Pres. Obama needs to disassociate our nation's White House from a man who behaves in this fashion.

Savage himself told the Seattle Times there was nothing unusual about his speech. It's at the heart of how he defines "anti-bullying":

"Savage said the speech is one he has repeatedly given in promoting 'It Gets Better,' his hugely successful project to help gay, lesbian and transgender youths cope with bullying. The project has at least 40,000 videos—testimonials meant to offer encouragement—including one by President Obama, and an accompanying book that debuted on The New York Times best-seller list."

Dan Savage actually told the Seattle Times, "It wasn't like I sneaked up on a Bible study class and commandeered the podium. ...I'm like the Devil. You have to invite me in."

So far Dan Savage has been invited in and warmly welcomed to the White House, on the White House website, as well as MTV. It's unseemly to say the least.

Thanks to the thousands of you who have already responded to our call to Pres. Obama: Drop Dan Savage!

And I really need you to send the petition request to all your friends and relatives. Let them see the man Pres. Obama is standing by, at this point.

Let them see what real unabashed and unashamed hatred looks and sounds like.

If you haven’t yet signed our petition, go here and please do so.

For all our children's sake, and for the sake of civilized discourse in this beloved and God-blessed land.

On Tuesday, we will wake up and find out whether the people of North Carolina have voted for the Marriage Amendment.

Those who oppose the amendment have chosen to raise millions to spread blatant falsehoods to North Carolina voters.

The campaign to dehumanize supporters of our marriage tradition has been stepped up as well, with reports that as many of half of all pro-marriage signs have been vandalized.

Yes, a pro-marriage amendment teenager stole a neighbor's sign and videotaped himself shooting it and posted in on YouTube. This teen was properly visited by the police to make sure he meant no harm to any person and they also properly cited him for destruction of property. Let me reiterate NOM's persistent call to mutual respect and civility in the midst of these important moral questions that we believe ought to be decided by the people as a whole.

No gay person, or gay-marriage advocate, should be afraid in our great democracy to stand up, speak, organize, or donate for the things they believe in. Violence, threats of violence, and name-calling have no place in our democracy.

Will Joe Solmonese or Evan Wolfson or any other major gay-rights leaders stand up and say the same? Will they tell their people: Respect the rights of "anti-gay marriage" citizens, even as we fight for what we think is right?

I hope so. I'm waiting to see.

I was there in California during the Prop 8 campaign when so many people faced harassment and threats just for standing up for marriage. So when the NC campaign released a report that an elderly woman was physically attacked for having signs that said "Yes on the marriage amendment," I was shocked but not surprised.

This story has not received media attention. But we posted the police report on the NOM blog.

According to the police report, this elderly lady went to a home looking for her sister. She told police that a man who lived there told her they needed to "talk about this marriage amendment." She said she didn't want to speak about it, but as she tried to back out, this man stuck his head in the window and would not let her leave. Her glasses got knocked off somehow. When she tried to retrieve them, he started banging the car door against her four or five times, cussing at her very angrily because she supported the marriage amendment. The police officer noted what looked like bruises on her back and that she was very upset and crying.

She told police she had "never experienced anything like this."

I'm so sorry this happened to her. But of course she is not alone. You and I know that apparently even in North Carolina it now takes courage to stand up for marriage.

The students at TFP Student Action have just released their own video about what it's like to be a young man holding signs on the street saying positive things: "One man, one woman = marriage."

The hatred generated against these young people is profoundly antithetical to the basic principles of fair play and democracy. But too many gay-marriage leaders are determined to create an equation in which opposition to gay marriage = hatred. They have convinced themselves of this, among many other untruths, and they are convincing others to act on it.

They think it's a strategy for victory, clearly. But it amounts to an attempt to write out of civilized society at least half or more of the American people. And it's going to fail.

Meanwhile a dramatic story is unfolding in North Carolina, where voters will go to the polls on May 8 to decide the future of marriage in that state.

As pro-gay-marriage advocates began to blanket the state with ads claiming that the marriage amendment will strip single women of domestic-violence protection, I began to get a little worried.

But the NC campaign fought back with the truth.

"I am concerned about the false and misleading claims that are being made by opponents of the Marriage Protection Amendment," said Rockingham County District Attorney Phil Berger, Jr., Vice President of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. "Citizens should have no concern that the marriage amendment will impact domestic violence prosecution, because it will not."

And so were so many others who have fought for marriage in North Carolina.

So after showing some initial slippage, the polling now shows gay-marriage advocates heading for a massive defeat at the polls.

The latest SurveyUSA today poll shows the Marriage Amendment ahead by 20 points!

The most amazing thing about the support for marriage is its breadth. SurveyUSA reports that the measure passes 57 percent to 37 percent, "with majority support among men and women, black and white, rich and poor, and in all parts of the state. Opposition is most strong among Democrats and independents, but rises to a majority only among the relatively small number of voters who identify themselves as liberals."

Read that again closely. Majorities of blacks and whites, rich and poor, men and women, and Republicans and Democrats oppose gay marriage.

This is not surprising to you and me; we know the truth, which is rooted in Truth itself.

Don't stop fighting now, in North Carolina—or anywhere else! Victory is within our reach!

Thanks to all of you who have written to express your support and concern about the massive illegal attacks on NOM, most recently through the release of federally-protected IRS tax returns.

We believe that both the IRS and other legal authorities are responding appropriately with a serious investigation and we want to respect the legal process as it moves forward.

Please pray for the safety of all the voters in North Carolina, both those who favor and those who oppose marriage.

But please remember especially in your prayers this week the one elderly lady who says she was viciously attacked for standing up for God's vision of marriage, and for all the teens in Dan Savage's audience.

With charity towards all, with malice towards none, we will fight for the right, as God gives us the power to see what's right.

God bless you and may God bless America.

Video: Dan Savage, On a Roll, Ridicules the Pope

At least this time it is not at a high school event (warning: extremely graphic language:)

Billy Hallowell comments over at The Blaze.

Video: New NC TV Ad Refutes Domestic Violence Allegations and Falsehoods

Vote FOR Marriage NC:

Vote FOR Marriage NC releases a new television advertisement highlighting District Attorneys, legal professionals, judges, and prosecutors that stand behind the fact that the Marriage Protection Amendment will not interfere with domestic violence laws. The ad references a press conference held on Tuesday by Rockingham County’s District Attorney, Phil Berger, jr., that firmly refuted the false allegations being made by those against preserving marriage as the union between one man and one woman:

“The truth of the matter is, the Marriage Protection Amendment does one thing and one thing only: It protects marriage as the union between one man and one woman,” said Tami Fitzgerald, Chairwoman of Vote FOR Marriage NC. Fitzgerald continued, “The allegations made by those opposing the Marriage Amendment are far-fetched and invalid. They are grasping at straws and deceiving North Carolina voters in a desperate attempt to make this vote about anything but protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

The advertisement ends with a poignant plea by District Attorney Phil Berger, jr., who says “When you go to the polls, make your decision on fact and not fear.”