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Heritage: State Makes Church Choose Between Conscience and Service

June 7, 2011 at 7:00 am

Charles Donovan at the Heritage Foundation writes in the Kansas City Star:

Our nation's simmering conscience wars have claimed another victim: the Catholic Diocese of Rockford, Ill. Once again, the conflict centered on the legal redefinition of marriage and family. But at a deeper level, what's at stake is the future of moral and religious liberty.

... The news from Illinois points up the fact that even civil unions legislation can threaten religious conscience, particularly if legislators refuse, as they did in Springfield, to approve meaningful conscience exemptions.

... The argument that laws like those of Massachusetts and Illinois are really about non-discrimination and tolerance rings hollow. In both jurisdictions, Catholic Charities was willing to refer unmarried couples, including homosexuals, to other agencies that had no moral objection to placements outside the traditional family.

"Diversity" in such matters implies a variety of agencies and policies, not state-imposed uniformity. Would our nation have more diverse grocers if the state mandated that every establishment offer the same product line? Tolerance on matters of religious and moral conviction is meaningless if individuals and institutions are shorn of their liberty to act in keeping with their core values.

Since this article was published Catholic adoption agencies in Joliet and Peoria, IL have also announced their intention to opt out.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Adoption, Religious Liberty | Comments (5)

NY Judge Finds Congress Can Intervene in Challenge to DOMA

June 6, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Via New York Lawyer (subscription required):

A federal magistrate judge has permitted Congress to intervene in a case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. Southern District Magistrate Judge James C. Francis issued a 12-page order and memorandum yesterday saying Congress has a right to intervene in Windsor v. United States, 10 Civ. 8435, now that the U.S. Justice Department has said it will no longer argue that the act is constitutional.
NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in DOMA, Law, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (7)

Iowa Sen Majority Leader Gronstal Says Everything is Negotiable, While Refusing To Allow Iowans a Marriage Vote

June 6, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Nathan Tucker at the Iowa Republican:

On last Friday’s episode of Iowa Press, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D) made the remarkable claim that he is willing to negotiate everything with Governor Branstad and the Republican majority in the House. His statements were remarkable for not only being patently absurd, but for not being challenged by a single journalist on the show’s panel.

“Here’s what I’ve tried to avoid,” Gronstal told the panel. “Everybody, you know, the House says $5.999 [billion] is non-negotiable, the Governor says two-year budget is non-negotiable. I’ve never once said any of these pieces are non-negotiable. I don’t want to play that game. I think Iowans elected us to come in, listen to the concerns of Iowans and go out and listen to them.”

... Gronstal continued his protestations of innocence by claiming:  “I’m the guy that keeps saying I’m not drawing the lines in the sand.  I’m not saying that there’s nothing negotiable, that’s the other side saying that, that’s the message I got out of the House Republicans, it’s the message I get out of the Governor, these things that are non-negotiable.  I’m ready, willing and able to sit down at any time with people and look for common ground and we’re going to continue to do that until we find it.”

... For instance, a vote on a marriage amendment is dead upon arrival in a Gronstal-led senate. On the January 28th episode of Iowa Press, Gronstal said that he would never allow a vote, even if that means he loses his seat in the next election. Sure enough, a marriage amendment never saw the light of day in the Senate.

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

Video: Michele Bachmann Thanks Minnesotans--and Americans--For Passing Marriage Amendments

June 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm

Michelle Bachmann in her speech at last weekend's Faith and Freedom conference in Washington, DC.

"Now is the time" she says to get involved with efforts to protect marriage:

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

European Judges Order Ministers to State if They Believe Their Rights Have Been Infringed by UK Courts

June 6, 2011 at 2:41 pm

In the UK Telegraph:

European judges have ordered ministers to make a formal statement on whether it believes Christians' rights have been infringed by previous decisions in the British courts, which have repeatedly dismissed their right to dress and act according to their beliefs.

The move by the European Court in Strasbourg is because Christians who believe they have suffered discrimination for their beliefs are taking a landmark legal fight the court.

... Once ministers have responded the court will decide whether to have full hearings on them.

The four new cases, which come from a range of Christian denominations, could lead to a final legal answer on how religious beliefs must be balanced against equality laws designed to prohibit discrimination against minority religions and other groups such as homosexuals.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Europe, Religious Liberty, United Kingdom | Comments (4)

Pope Tells Croatia: "Dear families, be courageous!"

June 6, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Pope Benedict was in Croatia this weekend and challenged the people there to be courageous in the face of culture forces that attempt to undermine marriage:

Alongside what the Church says, the testimony and commitment of the Christian family – your concrete testimony – is very important, especially when you affirm the inviolability of human life from conception until natural death, the singular and irreplaceable value of the family founded upon matrimony and the need for legislation which supports families in the task of giving birth to children and educating them.

Dear families, be courageous! Do not give in to that secularized mentality which proposes living together as a preparation, or even a substitute for marriage! Show by the witness of your lives that it is possible, like Christ, to love without reserve, and do not be afraid to make a commitment to another person! Dear families, rejoice in fatherhood and motherhood!

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Europe, Marriage | Comments (3)

Sen. Rev. Diaz Thanks Archbishop Dolan, Rick Barnes

June 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Rick Barnes, head of the New York Catholic Conference, recently stepped forward to criticize the intolerance and just plain meanness displayed towards Sen. Rev. Diaz.

On June 4, Sen. Rev Diaz published an open letter thanking Richard Barnes and Archbishop Dolan:

Dear Mr. Barnes:

This letter is to thank you for your column, “A Note on Intolerance” that appeared in news articles and on Facebook. As you know, intimidation, threats and ugliness continue to confront me as a religious leader and as a State Senator as I continue to protect marriage laws in New York.

As you also know, my prayerful and peaceful efforts have highlighted the hatred and anti-religious bigotry by many who campaign to redefine New York’s marriage laws to include homosexual marriage. Sad to say, these efforts continue to stoke the flames of hate-purveyors.

I am encouraged that my efforts and the efforts of the New York State Catholic Conference have also awakened the sprit of countless families and individuals who respect traditional marriage.

Whenever the issue of homosexual marriage has been placed before the public for a vote – even in California – it has always been rejected. The only times these laws have changed were through the efforts of legislators or judges.

Please convey to Archbishop Timothy Dolan my tremendous respect for him. His recent column reminded us all that: “History, Natural Law, the Bible (if you’re so inclined), the religions of the world, human experience, and just plain gumption tell us this is so. The definition of marriage is hardwired into our human reason.”

How true.

In the growing spirit of interfaith unity, I deeply appreciate your expression of respect and look forward to meeting with you in Albany.

See the letter on Sen. Rev. Diaz's Facebook page.

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

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse on "The Essential Public Purpose of Marriage" in Minnesota

June 6, 2011 at 11:55 am
Dr. Morse's testimony before the Minnesota House on behalf of the Minnesota Marriage Amendement. A sample:
... children still need to be attached to mothers and fathers.

We sometimes hear claims that studies show that same sex couples make fine parents. The most recently reported study was in the June 7, 2010 issue of the journal Pediatrics. This study was based upon the self-reported results of an unrepresentative sample of lesbian mothers of 78 teenagers, hardly a sufficient data set for drawing sweeping conclusions. Yet the headlines went around the world, “Lesbians make the best parents.”  And a 2010 survey of 80 studies admitted that there is very little evidence about male couples as parents. We simply do not have enough data to draw such strong conclusions as, “lesbians make the best parents.”

On the other side of the equation, we have mountains of data showing that children do need both their mothers and their fathers, and that fathers make distinct contributions to the well-being of children. Mothers and fathers are not interchangeable. But redefining marriage will require us to say that they are. In fact, courts are saying silly things like, “the traditional notion that children need a mother and a father to be raised into healthy, well-adjusted adults is based more on stereotype than anything else.” This statement by the Iowa Supreme Court in Varnum v Brien is simply false as a general statement. [Continue reading...]

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Minnesota, Parenting, Research/Study | Comments (12)

ElectionWatch 2012: Kathryn Lopez on Rick Santorum's Announcement

June 6, 2011 at 11:11 am

Today on Good Morning America former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum officially announced his Presidential bid. Kathryn Lopez comments at National Review Online:

...[Santorum] believes, as do so many who have shown up at Tea Party rallies in the last two years, that America is in existential jeopardy if we don’t make some swift and hard choices, rooted in who we are and who we want to be. He would bother because he has experience working in Washington, working with people of a variety of views, moving legislation forward that provides humane solutions to problems sometimes created by well-intentioned government programs. He would bother because he loves people and policy, and sees the connections between the two. He would bother because he feels called to do it, not from a messianic complex, but in service.

On marriage, by the way, he has said: “If we do not, as a party and as a people, stand behind the institution of marriage and understand its essential role as the glue that holds the family together — the family, the building block of society, the first economy, the first school, the first place where children’s character is formed — we are going to destine our children and destine the future of this country for a lower standard of living and a less free and prosperous country.”

Here is video of Rick's announcement on GMA:

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012 | Comments (1)

Catholic Adoption Agencies in Joliet, Peoria Say Litigation Risk Too Great, Reluctantly Opt Out

June 6, 2011 at 10:30 am

In the Chicago Tribune:

Catholic Charities of Peoria and Joliet have informed the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services that they will no longer license families who applied to become foster care or adoptive parents because the state's civil unions law went into effect Tuesday.

"It is the religious practice of Catholic Charities not to place children with unmarried cohabiting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex," wrote Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of Joliet, in a letter to DCFS sent this week.

... There are 760 foster homes licensed by Catholic Charities in the Peoria Diocese and 203 foster homes licensed by Catholic Charities in the Joliet Diocese.

... Several attempts have been made in Springfield to pass an amendment that would exempt religious child welfare agencies, but none has made it to the floor for a vote.

In addition to Catholic Charities in five regions, Lutheran Child and Family Services and the Evangelical Child and Family Agency have policies that exclude prospective parents who are not married.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Adoption, Religious Liberty | Comments (15)

ElectionWatch 2012: Michele Bachmann Isn't Afraid of Marriage

June 6, 2011 at 10:10 am

In the South Carolina Times:

Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann has told social conservatives not to let up as the 2012 election draws closer.

The likely presidential candidate spread a message of perseverance to the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington. She highlighted her early role in pursuing a Minnesota ballot initiative banning gay marriage, which voters will decide next year. “Never despise small beginnings,” Bachmann told the crowd.

This weekend in Washington, DC at the Faith & Freedom Conference she also spoke up for marriage. Her comments about marriage can be viewed here on C-SPAN and begin at the 1:23 minute mark. They last about 3 minutes.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off on ElectionWatch 2012: Michele Bachmann Isn't Afraid of Marriage

NY Catholic Conference: When it Comes to Sen. Rev. Diaz, Where is the Tolerance?

June 6, 2011 at 10:00 am

From Richard E. Barnes, Executive Director of the NYS Catholic Conference, on their Facebook page:

In 2009, just after the New York State Senate voted to reject a same-sex marriage bill, the Catholic Conference was subjected to a barrage of calls, from vulgar to threatening, simply because I was quoted in the New York Times praising those Senators who had stood firm against the bill. From “you’re a f***ing cretin” (sticks and stones, etc.), to “[same epitaph] the Virgin Mary…[same epitaph] your Jesus…got it?” (yeah, I got it), to “we know where you are” (we turned that one over to the State Police). We heard it all – all of the tolerance and dignity the callers could muster, I guess. I knew they were upset, but really?

But that was small potatoes compared to the hate speech Rev. Diaz is getting. Death threats, real ones. The vilest filth directed at him that you can imagine. It is now reported, in a popular political blog that all policy-makers read in Albany, that the “F*** Ruben Diaz Festival” will be held soon in Brooklyn, where winners of the “F*** Ruben Diaz: Gay Erotica Featuring NYC’s Number One Bigot” writing contest will entertain themselves reading their dirty stories to each other, mocking this minister of the Gospel. And this is all known to the press and in the halls of the Capitol. So where is the outrage in the media? Where is the cry for tolerance and justice for Rev. Diaz against these hate purveyors? The answer, sadly, is that there is no outcry. Are they saving it for after something truly awful happens to this good man? Until the hate that is being incited boils over into violent behavior?

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

State Sen Greg Ball: "NY SSM Dead Without Religious Liberty Protections"

June 6, 2011 at 9:50 am

In Rhode Island, gay marriage advocates are protesting the inclusion of religious liberty protections in a civil union bill. In New York, State Sen. Greg Ball says the absence of such protection (including for small businesses) will definitely kill a same-sex marriage bill.

We seek to protect marriage as the union of husband and wife, irregardless. But why are gay marriage advocates so determined to prevent religious liberty protections that they would rather see a bill die than provide them?

A state senator who holds a key swing vote on the bill to legalize gay marriage says he does not believe the measure will pass without specific exemptions for religious institutions.

Sen. Greg Ball (R-Putnam) said he delivered that message directly this past week to Gov.Cuomo and his aides.

Most contentious is Ball's argument that individuals and businesses - not just religious organizations - who oppose gay marriage should also be exempted from the state's discrimination laws.

"If you're going to pass a marriage bill, real religious exemptions and carveouts to protect the Catholic Church and other religious groups need to be included," Ball told the Daily News.

"Short of that, I don't think you'll see a marriage bill pass." --NY Daily News

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Federal Judge Rules Gay Softball League Has Right to Limit Heterosexuals, Bisexuals

June 6, 2011 at 9:00 am

Interestingly, the National Center for Lesbians Rights, which is representing the three bisexual guys, vigorously disagrees.

The judge is right, the Gay Softball League is right: the right to associate includes the right to define your membership.

Christian and other traditional faith groups ought to have the same right in California and everywhere, under our Constitution.

Maggie Gallagher
By Maggie Gallagher | Posted in Same Sex Marriage | Comments (11)

Fox News: Kindergarteners Also Received Multiple Gender Training in Oakland

June 6, 2011 at 8:30 am

More information on what is being taught in Oakland - and who is being taught:

Students in all grades at Oakland's Redwood Heights Elementary School got an introductory lesson on the topic on Monday. Fox News was allowed to sit in on the lessons, which included teachings to kindergartners and fourth-graders.

... Joel Baum, director of education and training for Gender Spectrum, taught the classes. In the kindergarten class he asked the 5- and 6-year-olds to identify if a toy was a "girl toy" or a "boy toy" or both. He also asked which students liked the color pink, prompting many to raise their hands, to which he responded that that boys can like pink, too. -- FoxNews

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Children, Education | Comments (16)
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