Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Feb. 24th, 2006 11:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdEverybody in Washington State should pay attention to the last item; the anti-gay Faith and Freedom Network will be distributing their anti-GBLT-rights initiative signature pages starting March 3rd at a series of prayer rallies to be held several places across the state. IS THERE A DECLINE-TO-SIGN MOVEMENT? I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON ONE, AND THAT'S VERY BAD. If you know something, please let me know. Thanks.
Lawsuit attempting to block anti-marriage constitutional amendment in Tennessee blocked by court;
Focus on the Family applauds $550K indecency fine;
FotF coverage of SoulForce's bus tour to colleges with explicit anti-GBLT codes; they take the opportunity to link to a bunch of their anti-gay literature;
FotF: Let's finish packing the courts while the packing is good;
Focus on the Family story on last week's Supreme Court ruling saying that a ban on a Brazilian religious group's religious tea was unconstitutional; what's interesting to me about this is not the ruling (which I support, and FotF does too - rare, that), but is that this is a complete reversal from an earlier Scalia opinion where he wrote that the government could ban any religious practice as long as that wasn't the stated and specific intent. IOW, you had to come right out and say, in the law, that the point of the law was to ban a religious practice in order for it to be unconstitutional. This is a major philosophical reversal for him, which is interesting, and presumably comes after a lot of lecturing by and association with fundamentalist groups;
Focus on the Family's ACTION ITEM to support the anti-marriage amendment to the Federal Constitution;
Mississippi Senate will vote on a "human cloning ban" that will cripple biotech research in that state on the 28th; this is the Family Research Council ACTION ITEM supporting it;
FRC ACTION ITEM against sex education in Illinois compares the ACLU to NAMBLA, throws in some anti-gay slams;
American Family Association lobby letter to West Virginia legislators condemning both marriage rights and civil unions;
AFA attacks both evolutionary theory and pro-science/pro-evolutionary-theory religious leaders;
AFA: "Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to Indoctrinate Students, Parent Says";
Traditional Values Coalition attacks Kentucky anti-bullying educational effort as "pro-homosexual training";
TVC attacks evangelical leaders concerned with global warming;
The US fundamentalist political group Focus on the Family's Canadian subsidiary opens its "Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC)";
Faith and Freedom Network to distribute anti-GBLT-rights initiative petitions at a series of "prayer rallies" previously announced, to be held in March; they also give an address and email for writing in for copies.
----- 1 -----
Judge Dismisses Challenge to Tennessee Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A Tennessee judge today dismissed the American Civil
Liberties Union's (ACLU) case against the state's proposed
constitutional amendment protecting marriage.
The ACLU claimed the General Assembly did not publish the
text of the amendment soon enough for it to be included on
the November 2006 ballot.
Byron Babione, senior legal counsel for the Alliance
Defense Fund, argued the case on behalf of Tennessee
lawmakers. He said it came down to whether the law or
special-interest groups would define marriage.
“The ACLU’s lawsuit was nothing more than a veiled attempt
to use a technicality to stop the will of the people," he
said. "The court’s ruling today upheld the right of the
people to be heard.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To read the full text of the court
order in the case, ACLU of Tennessee v. Darnell, click on
this link.
http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ACLUvDarnelldecision.pdf
----- 2 -----
FCC Affirms Broadcast Indecency Fines
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Federal Communications Communication (FCC) will
apparently stick by its decision to fine CBS $550,000 for
singer Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction"
during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
"We're very pleased with this development," said Daniel
Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on
the Family Action. "The FCC didn't issue a single citation
in all of 2005, so we've been kind of wondering what's up.
Now it looks like they intended to move all along -- and
are moving."
The nation's broadcasting watchdog also reportedly plans
to announce actions soon against Fox, NBC and CBS TV
stations and affiliates for violating decency standards.
"It appears that they're going to be issuing a whole new
round of citations," he added. "They're going to be fining
a number of stations, although the news reports say that
not all of the citations will include fines."
Weiss said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin may be trying to
establish an indecency standard for the networks.
"The FCC has been very sporadic and, frankly, inconsistent
in its enforcement, so broadcasters have claimed they
don't know where the indecency line is," he said. "Martin
could be establishing that line for them, with the
intention of adding fines if there are further
violations."
According to published reports, one of the decisions
involves Nicole Richie's use of two expletives during an
appearance on the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, carried by
Fox.
Weiss, by the way, said the fine against CBS was the
maximum that can be imposed on a broadcaster for violation
of indecency standards. The network, however, made that
money back in just seven seconds during the 2005 Super
Bowl. Each 30-second ad brought the network $2.4 million
last year.
----- 3 -----
Gay Activists Tour and Protest Nation's Colleges
SUMMARY: "Equality Ride" will challenge morality codes.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 23, 2006
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm
A tour bus filled with students recruited by gay-activist
group Soulforce will visit 19 Christian colleges and
military academies across America beginning March 5. The
purpose of the "Equality Ride" is to challenge policies
they say discriminate against homosexuals.
The policies vary, but generally the opposition is focused
on codes of ethics that require students to refrain from
sexual sin, including homosexuality.
[...]
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To see a calendar of when the
Equality Ride is slated to visit each campus, click on
this link:
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm#jump
If you are a college student or have one in your family,
the following resources will help in preparing to address
the issues surrounding homosexuality.
"Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth," by psychiatrist
Jeffrey Satinover, examines recent research reported in
medical journals and the popular press. He finds many of
these studies flawed and cites evidence that homosexuality
is indeed changeable. He explains how psychology, biology,
choice and habit all interweave to produce deeply imbedded
patterns of sexual behavior.
Long URL elided
"Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research in the
Church's Moral Debate," by Stanton L. Jones and M.A.
Yarhouse, provides common-sense, reasoned analysis and
biblical wisdom for Christians who seek a clear-eyed
understanding of this inflammatory issue.
Long URL elided
"Straight Answers: Exposing the Myths and Facts About
Homosexuality,"
by Mike Haley, asks "Are homosexuals born gay? Does the
Bible really condemn homosexuality?" Discover the answers
the gay community doesn't want you to find out. This
booklet exposes eight of the most common myths.
Long URL elided
"101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality," by
Mike Haley, explains how to address the issues surrounding
same-sex attraction and its implications for society. The
thought-provoking book is written by a man who's been
there.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Conservatives: 'Let's Confirm Stalled Judicial Nominees'
SUMMARY: Pro-family Judiciary Committee members say it's time to fill appeals-court vacancies.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039658.cfm
With two U.S. Supreme Court confirmations behind them,
conservative Republicans on the Senate Judiciary
Committee, such as Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, John
Cornyn of Texas and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, are hoping
the attention will now turn toward breaking the logjam of
the president's embargoed judicial nominees.
Dr. Coburn, a practicing physician who told CitizenLink he
takes pride in being "one of the few non-lawyer members"
of the Judiciary Committee, said it's time to act. There
are far too many candidates whose nominations have been
stymied for far too long.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Supreme Court Tells Government to Stay Out of Religion
SUMMARY: This week's "tea" ruling sets a high bar for government interference.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039653.cfm
The U.S. Supreme Court's first opinion on a
religious-liberty case under new Chief Justice John
Roberts earlier this week saw the justices move decisively
-- and unanimously -- to keep the government from
interfering in a church's religious practice. Legal
analysts said the decision has broad implications for all
faiths.
The decision allowed a Brazilian sect to continue using
hallucinogenic tea as part of its worship -- which may
have been off-putting for many Christians -- but Jared
Leland of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said by
implication, it means the government is on a very short
leash when it comes to denying anyone's religious
practices.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Marriage Protection Amendment Action Center
Focus on the Family
CitizenLink
February 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0031537.cfm
The Senate will vote soon on the marriage Protection Amendment, and time grows short for you to take action — especially if your senators aren't firmly committed to supporting the proposed constitutional amendment.
If the future of marriage and the family is important to you, please commit to contacting your elected officials right away.
Below, you'll find several resources Focus on the Family has compiled to help you understand the importance of the Federal Marriage Amendment at this critical moment; and to contact your senators to help convince them of its importance, as well.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Mississippi Senate to vote on human cloning ban on Tuesday, February, 28
February 24, 2006 - Friday
Mississippi (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B06
The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare committee will vote on HB 1202 (human cloning ban) on Tuesday, February, 28. This bill is a true cloning ban. The Mississippi House passed this bill by an overwhelming margin and so it is now in the hands of this committee.
And we need your help to get this bill passed out of committee. So call and encourage the chairman of the committee, Senator Alan Nunnelee, the vice-chairman, Terry C. Burton, and rest of committee (see list below), to pass this bill out of committee, without amendment. Tuesday, February 28 is deadline for bills to pass the 2nd chamber committee this session!
The following members are on the committee and need to hear from you: Hob Bryan, Eugene S. Clarke, Bob M. Dearing, Hillman Terome Frazier, John Horhn, Robert G. Huggins, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Gary Jackson, Tom King, Travis L. Little, Nolan Mettetal, T. O. Moffatt, J. Ed Morgan, Willie Simmons, Billy Thames, Joseph C. Thomas, Bennie L. Turner. Go to: http://www.ls.state.ms.us/ss_membs.htm to see the full list of committee members and their districts.
Lt. Governor Amy Tuck is a strong ally in this fight and so we appreciate her leadership in the state of Mississippi.
If we get this bill to the Senate floor we should get strong passage.
Thank you for your concern and for contacting your state senator.
----- 8 -----
ACLU Sex-Ed Bill in Illinois needs to be stopped
February 23, 2006 - Thursday
Illinois (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B05
On Tuesday, February 28, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, ACLU-Illinois and other left-wing groups are planning a massive Lobby Day in Springfield for what they are calling "age appropriate," "comprehensive" sex-ed in schools.
Would you trust Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU, both of which has defended the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) to decide what are "age appropriate" teachings on sex for your children? Concerned parents must not allow this blank check to condom-based education in Illinois to pass. Illinois students and teens deserve better!
While much of the "information" being distributed to legislators supporting funding for condom-based sex-ed stresses that abstinence will be a main focus in the curricula implemented at the local level, if SB2267 passes, it would surely result in an expansion on non-abstinence-focused curricula. Neither Planned Parenthood nor the Illinois Caucus has a track record of supporting abstinence. These groups also continue to fight against funding for abstinence education programs across the state of Illinois.
Pro-homosexual sex-ed
SB2267 will also pave the way for pro-homosexual sex-ed lessons to be taught to impressionable teens, through a "sexual orientation" provision contained in the bill. This would pave the way for students being taught how to "safely" practice highly dangerous sexual practices.
A vote in the Illinois Senate could come any day so please call today! Call the Springfield switchboard at 217-782-2000 and demand that Illinois teens not be sold short by giving state funding to these programs. Please make this call today, before the Left's pro-Condom Training Sex Ed Lobby Day on Tuesday, February 28.
In addition, if you can go to Springfield Tuesday to lobby against this dangerous legislation, please do so to counter these special interest groups. Contact IFI at 630-790-8370 or by e-mail at: info@illinoisfamily.org and they will provide you with information to pass out to legislators to educate them about the dangers of this extreme sex-ed legislation.
Thank you for your concern and your help with this crucial issue for our children.
----- 9 -----
American Family Association
Center for Law and Policy
Open Letter to the Legislators of the Great State of West Virginia
Online as of February 24, 2006
http://www.afa.net/clp/wvlegislators.asp
As many of you know, the West Virginia legislature is currently considering placement of a marriage protection amendment on the ballot for the upcoming elections. The AFA Center for Law & Policy (CLP) played a key role in drafting the amendment, and the West Virginia Family Foundation has been the primary organization behind the initiative.
Some legislators have expressed reluctance to support the amendment, arguing that it is not necessary. In response, the CLP was asked to explain why the amendment was needed. Here is the letter sent to all West Virginia legislators by the CLP:
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
The Right Frame of Mind
Rebuking the 'Clergy Letter Project'
By Rev. Mark H. Creech
February 24, 2006
American Family Association
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006mc.asp
(AgapePress) - Recently, AgapePress reported that over 10,000 members of the clergy from mainline churches had signed a letter stating they rejected a literal interpretation of the creation story. (See related story) The "Clergy Letter Project," the brainchild of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh administrator Michael Zimmerman, advocates that "the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist." The purpose of the letter is to urge school board members to reject such teachings as Scientific Creationism and Intelligent Design and "preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge."
It is most unfortunate so many Christian leaders have concluded that evolution is scientific, whereas creationism and intelligent design are simply religious -- when, in fact, evolution is incapable of being scientifically proven.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to Indoctrinate Students, Parent Says
By Jim Brown and Jenni Parker
American Family Association / Agape Press
February 24, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006b.asp
(AgapePress) - A lesbian teacher who helped lead a controversial pro-homosexual seminar at the North Carolina Governor's School last year is being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct with a student.
Social studies teacher Susan Wiseman was suspended from East Forsyth High School without pay recently after allegations arose of her having had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. A local district judge recently revoked a gag order that had prevented Forsyth County officials from notifying parents of the identity of the suspected sex offender.
Wiseman, a youth coordinator for the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Winston-Salem, has been under investigation both by police and the school system for the incidents that allegedly took place some time between February and May of last year. However, according to a Winston-Salem Journal report, the teenage victim in the case has, along with family members, chosen not to press charges. Therefore, District Attorney Tom Keith announced yesterday that no criminal charges will be brought against Wiseman.
With a victim unwilling to cooperate with prosecution and in the absence of corroborating evidence, Keith stated that his office had "closed the matter." However, the matter is not closed as far as officials with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are concerned. Wiseman remains on suspension without pay, and Superintendent Don Martin says D.A. Keith 's decision will not affect the school system.
[...]
Burrows believes Wiseman and other instructors at the North Carolina Governor's School are committed to promoting homosexuality to children. For him, recent events have simply reinforced his suspicions about the lesbian teacher having a pro-homosexual agenda and being willing to use her position as an educator to carry it out.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
Kentucky Children Forced To Take Pro-Homosexual Training
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2619
February 23, 2006 – Children in Ashland, Kentucky have no religious or free-speech rights to opt out of pro-homosexual anti-harassment training, according to Federal Judge David Bunning. According to Bunning, “there is simply no basis for an opt-out” because the anti-harassment program is “rationally related to a legitimate educational goal, namely to maintain a safe environment.”
The school district was forced by the settlement of an ACLU lawsuit in 2004 to institute anti-harassment training after the school had a conflict with a student homosexual organization.
The ACLU has defended the right of the school to keep the anti-harassment program in place. Students wishing to opt out were defended by the Alliance Defense Fund.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
Evangelical Environmental Group Funded By Globalist, Pro-Abortion And Pro-Homosexual Foundations
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2624
February 23, 2006 – TVC has just published a new report on global warming and the funding background of a group called the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN).
The group is headed by Rev. Jim Ball and is described in media accounts as a “centrist” organization of evangelical leaders. The group, however, is being funded by an assortment of foundations that also provide significant funds for one-world, pro-abortion, and pro-homosexual activist groups.
One wonders why an evangelical group would accept money from such foundations or why these foundations would be willing to fund the activities of a Christian organization—unless the foundation grant givers believe the EEN will help them achieve their own globalist objectives.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Marriage and family institute opens
Focus on the Family (Canada office)
Today's Family News
February 22, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/misc/022206.html
Focus on the Family Canada’s long-awaited Ottawa-based policy and research arm, the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) is now open for business following a very successful official opening last Thursday.
[...]
“A number of people came up to me and said, ‘We don’t agree [with you] on everything because of faith issues, but we agree on the family issues.’ That commonality provides us with strength . . . that we can rally around the important institutions of marriage and family,” Quist told Today’s Family News.
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Call to Prayer & Action in Your Community
Faith and Freedom Network
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
With the passage of HB 2661, granting special rights to homosexuals and with the anticipated WA Supreme Court decision to overturn Biblical marriage, we all have cause for concern.
Faith & Freedom and Sound The Alarm invite you to join with others of like-mind in your community for an interdenominational prayer rally. These meetings will present a clear call to prayer and a specific call to action. Forms for signature gathering will be available at these meetings.
You may also request these signature forms by email; forms@faithandfreedom.us or by writing
Faith & Freedom
Attention: Signature Forms
16300 112th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011.
[More at URL]
Lawsuit attempting to block anti-marriage constitutional amendment in Tennessee blocked by court;
Focus on the Family applauds $550K indecency fine;
FotF coverage of SoulForce's bus tour to colleges with explicit anti-GBLT codes; they take the opportunity to link to a bunch of their anti-gay literature;
FotF: Let's finish packing the courts while the packing is good;
Focus on the Family story on last week's Supreme Court ruling saying that a ban on a Brazilian religious group's religious tea was unconstitutional; what's interesting to me about this is not the ruling (which I support, and FotF does too - rare, that), but is that this is a complete reversal from an earlier Scalia opinion where he wrote that the government could ban any religious practice as long as that wasn't the stated and specific intent. IOW, you had to come right out and say, in the law, that the point of the law was to ban a religious practice in order for it to be unconstitutional. This is a major philosophical reversal for him, which is interesting, and presumably comes after a lot of lecturing by and association with fundamentalist groups;
Focus on the Family's ACTION ITEM to support the anti-marriage amendment to the Federal Constitution;
Mississippi Senate will vote on a "human cloning ban" that will cripple biotech research in that state on the 28th; this is the Family Research Council ACTION ITEM supporting it;
FRC ACTION ITEM against sex education in Illinois compares the ACLU to NAMBLA, throws in some anti-gay slams;
American Family Association lobby letter to West Virginia legislators condemning both marriage rights and civil unions;
AFA attacks both evolutionary theory and pro-science/pro-evolutionary-theory religious leaders;
AFA: "Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to Indoctrinate Students, Parent Says";
Traditional Values Coalition attacks Kentucky anti-bullying educational effort as "pro-homosexual training";
TVC attacks evangelical leaders concerned with global warming;
The US fundamentalist political group Focus on the Family's Canadian subsidiary opens its "Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC)";
Faith and Freedom Network to distribute anti-GBLT-rights initiative petitions at a series of "prayer rallies" previously announced, to be held in March; they also give an address and email for writing in for copies.
----- 1 -----
Judge Dismisses Challenge to Tennessee Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A Tennessee judge today dismissed the American Civil
Liberties Union's (ACLU) case against the state's proposed
constitutional amendment protecting marriage.
The ACLU claimed the General Assembly did not publish the
text of the amendment soon enough for it to be included on
the November 2006 ballot.
Byron Babione, senior legal counsel for the Alliance
Defense Fund, argued the case on behalf of Tennessee
lawmakers. He said it came down to whether the law or
special-interest groups would define marriage.
“The ACLU’s lawsuit was nothing more than a veiled attempt
to use a technicality to stop the will of the people," he
said. "The court’s ruling today upheld the right of the
people to be heard.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To read the full text of the court
order in the case, ACLU of Tennessee v. Darnell, click on
this link.
http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ACLUvDarnelldecision.pdf
----- 2 -----
FCC Affirms Broadcast Indecency Fines
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Federal Communications Communication (FCC) will
apparently stick by its decision to fine CBS $550,000 for
singer Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction"
during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
"We're very pleased with this development," said Daniel
Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on
the Family Action. "The FCC didn't issue a single citation
in all of 2005, so we've been kind of wondering what's up.
Now it looks like they intended to move all along -- and
are moving."
The nation's broadcasting watchdog also reportedly plans
to announce actions soon against Fox, NBC and CBS TV
stations and affiliates for violating decency standards.
"It appears that they're going to be issuing a whole new
round of citations," he added. "They're going to be fining
a number of stations, although the news reports say that
not all of the citations will include fines."
Weiss said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin may be trying to
establish an indecency standard for the networks.
"The FCC has been very sporadic and, frankly, inconsistent
in its enforcement, so broadcasters have claimed they
don't know where the indecency line is," he said. "Martin
could be establishing that line for them, with the
intention of adding fines if there are further
violations."
According to published reports, one of the decisions
involves Nicole Richie's use of two expletives during an
appearance on the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, carried by
Fox.
Weiss, by the way, said the fine against CBS was the
maximum that can be imposed on a broadcaster for violation
of indecency standards. The network, however, made that
money back in just seven seconds during the 2005 Super
Bowl. Each 30-second ad brought the network $2.4 million
last year.
----- 3 -----
Gay Activists Tour and Protest Nation's Colleges
SUMMARY: "Equality Ride" will challenge morality codes.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 23, 2006
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm
A tour bus filled with students recruited by gay-activist
group Soulforce will visit 19 Christian colleges and
military academies across America beginning March 5. The
purpose of the "Equality Ride" is to challenge policies
they say discriminate against homosexuals.
The policies vary, but generally the opposition is focused
on codes of ethics that require students to refrain from
sexual sin, including homosexuality.
[...]
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To see a calendar of when the
Equality Ride is slated to visit each campus, click on
this link:
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039646.cfm#jump
If you are a college student or have one in your family,
the following resources will help in preparing to address
the issues surrounding homosexuality.
"Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth," by psychiatrist
Jeffrey Satinover, examines recent research reported in
medical journals and the popular press. He finds many of
these studies flawed and cites evidence that homosexuality
is indeed changeable. He explains how psychology, biology,
choice and habit all interweave to produce deeply imbedded
patterns of sexual behavior.
Long URL elided
"Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research in the
Church's Moral Debate," by Stanton L. Jones and M.A.
Yarhouse, provides common-sense, reasoned analysis and
biblical wisdom for Christians who seek a clear-eyed
understanding of this inflammatory issue.
Long URL elided
"Straight Answers: Exposing the Myths and Facts About
Homosexuality,"
by Mike Haley, asks "Are homosexuals born gay? Does the
Bible really condemn homosexuality?" Discover the answers
the gay community doesn't want you to find out. This
booklet exposes eight of the most common myths.
Long URL elided
"101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality," by
Mike Haley, explains how to address the issues surrounding
same-sex attraction and its implications for society. The
thought-provoking book is written by a man who's been
there.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Conservatives: 'Let's Confirm Stalled Judicial Nominees'
SUMMARY: Pro-family Judiciary Committee members say it's time to fill appeals-court vacancies.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039658.cfm
With two U.S. Supreme Court confirmations behind them,
conservative Republicans on the Senate Judiciary
Committee, such as Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, John
Cornyn of Texas and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, are hoping
the attention will now turn toward breaking the logjam of
the president's embargoed judicial nominees.
Dr. Coburn, a practicing physician who told CitizenLink he
takes pride in being "one of the few non-lawyer members"
of the Judiciary Committee, said it's time to act. There
are far too many candidates whose nominations have been
stymied for far too long.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Supreme Court Tells Government to Stay Out of Religion
SUMMARY: This week's "tea" ruling sets a high bar for government interference.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 22, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039653.cfm
The U.S. Supreme Court's first opinion on a
religious-liberty case under new Chief Justice John
Roberts earlier this week saw the justices move decisively
-- and unanimously -- to keep the government from
interfering in a church's religious practice. Legal
analysts said the decision has broad implications for all
faiths.
The decision allowed a Brazilian sect to continue using
hallucinogenic tea as part of its worship -- which may
have been off-putting for many Christians -- but Jared
Leland of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said by
implication, it means the government is on a very short
leash when it comes to denying anyone's religious
practices.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Marriage Protection Amendment Action Center
Focus on the Family
CitizenLink
February 8, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0031537.cfm
The Senate will vote soon on the marriage Protection Amendment, and time grows short for you to take action — especially if your senators aren't firmly committed to supporting the proposed constitutional amendment.
If the future of marriage and the family is important to you, please commit to contacting your elected officials right away.
Below, you'll find several resources Focus on the Family has compiled to help you understand the importance of the Federal Marriage Amendment at this critical moment; and to contact your senators to help convince them of its importance, as well.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Mississippi Senate to vote on human cloning ban on Tuesday, February, 28
February 24, 2006 - Friday
Mississippi (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B06
The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare committee will vote on HB 1202 (human cloning ban) on Tuesday, February, 28. This bill is a true cloning ban. The Mississippi House passed this bill by an overwhelming margin and so it is now in the hands of this committee.
And we need your help to get this bill passed out of committee. So call and encourage the chairman of the committee, Senator Alan Nunnelee, the vice-chairman, Terry C. Burton, and rest of committee (see list below), to pass this bill out of committee, without amendment. Tuesday, February 28 is deadline for bills to pass the 2nd chamber committee this session!
The following members are on the committee and need to hear from you: Hob Bryan, Eugene S. Clarke, Bob M. Dearing, Hillman Terome Frazier, John Horhn, Robert G. Huggins, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Gary Jackson, Tom King, Travis L. Little, Nolan Mettetal, T. O. Moffatt, J. Ed Morgan, Willie Simmons, Billy Thames, Joseph C. Thomas, Bennie L. Turner. Go to: http://www.ls.state.ms.us/ss_membs.htm to see the full list of committee members and their districts.
Lt. Governor Amy Tuck is a strong ally in this fight and so we appreciate her leadership in the state of Mississippi.
If we get this bill to the Senate floor we should get strong passage.
Thank you for your concern and for contacting your state senator.
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ACLU Sex-Ed Bill in Illinois needs to be stopped
February 23, 2006 - Thursday
Illinois (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06B05
On Tuesday, February 28, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, ACLU-Illinois and other left-wing groups are planning a massive Lobby Day in Springfield for what they are calling "age appropriate," "comprehensive" sex-ed in schools.
Would you trust Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU, both of which has defended the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) to decide what are "age appropriate" teachings on sex for your children? Concerned parents must not allow this blank check to condom-based education in Illinois to pass. Illinois students and teens deserve better!
While much of the "information" being distributed to legislators supporting funding for condom-based sex-ed stresses that abstinence will be a main focus in the curricula implemented at the local level, if SB2267 passes, it would surely result in an expansion on non-abstinence-focused curricula. Neither Planned Parenthood nor the Illinois Caucus has a track record of supporting abstinence. These groups also continue to fight against funding for abstinence education programs across the state of Illinois.
Pro-homosexual sex-ed
SB2267 will also pave the way for pro-homosexual sex-ed lessons to be taught to impressionable teens, through a "sexual orientation" provision contained in the bill. This would pave the way for students being taught how to "safely" practice highly dangerous sexual practices.
A vote in the Illinois Senate could come any day so please call today! Call the Springfield switchboard at 217-782-2000 and demand that Illinois teens not be sold short by giving state funding to these programs. Please make this call today, before the Left's pro-Condom Training Sex Ed Lobby Day on Tuesday, February 28.
In addition, if you can go to Springfield Tuesday to lobby against this dangerous legislation, please do so to counter these special interest groups. Contact IFI at 630-790-8370 or by e-mail at: info@illinoisfamily.org and they will provide you with information to pass out to legislators to educate them about the dangers of this extreme sex-ed legislation.
Thank you for your concern and your help with this crucial issue for our children.
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American Family Association
Center for Law and Policy
Open Letter to the Legislators of the Great State of West Virginia
Online as of February 24, 2006
http://www.afa.net/clp/wvlegislators.asp
As many of you know, the West Virginia legislature is currently considering placement of a marriage protection amendment on the ballot for the upcoming elections. The AFA Center for Law & Policy (CLP) played a key role in drafting the amendment, and the West Virginia Family Foundation has been the primary organization behind the initiative.
Some legislators have expressed reluctance to support the amendment, arguing that it is not necessary. In response, the CLP was asked to explain why the amendment was needed. Here is the letter sent to all West Virginia legislators by the CLP:
[More at URL]
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The Right Frame of Mind
Rebuking the 'Clergy Letter Project'
By Rev. Mark H. Creech
February 24, 2006
American Family Association
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006mc.asp
(AgapePress) - Recently, AgapePress reported that over 10,000 members of the clergy from mainline churches had signed a letter stating they rejected a literal interpretation of the creation story. (See related story) The "Clergy Letter Project," the brainchild of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh administrator Michael Zimmerman, advocates that "the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist." The purpose of the letter is to urge school board members to reject such teachings as Scientific Creationism and Intelligent Design and "preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge."
It is most unfortunate so many Christian leaders have concluded that evolution is scientific, whereas creationism and intelligent design are simply religious -- when, in fact, evolution is incapable of being scientifically proven.
[More at URL]
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Lesbian Teacher, Suspected Sex Offender, Uses Post to Indoctrinate Students, Parent Says
By Jim Brown and Jenni Parker
American Family Association / Agape Press
February 24, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/afa/242006b.asp
(AgapePress) - A lesbian teacher who helped lead a controversial pro-homosexual seminar at the North Carolina Governor's School last year is being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct with a student.
Social studies teacher Susan Wiseman was suspended from East Forsyth High School without pay recently after allegations arose of her having had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. A local district judge recently revoked a gag order that had prevented Forsyth County officials from notifying parents of the identity of the suspected sex offender.
Wiseman, a youth coordinator for the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Winston-Salem, has been under investigation both by police and the school system for the incidents that allegedly took place some time between February and May of last year. However, according to a Winston-Salem Journal report, the teenage victim in the case has, along with family members, chosen not to press charges. Therefore, District Attorney Tom Keith announced yesterday that no criminal charges will be brought against Wiseman.
With a victim unwilling to cooperate with prosecution and in the absence of corroborating evidence, Keith stated that his office had "closed the matter." However, the matter is not closed as far as officials with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are concerned. Wiseman remains on suspension without pay, and Superintendent Don Martin says D.A. Keith 's decision will not affect the school system.
[...]
Burrows believes Wiseman and other instructors at the North Carolina Governor's School are committed to promoting homosexuality to children. For him, recent events have simply reinforced his suspicions about the lesbian teacher having a pro-homosexual agenda and being willing to use her position as an educator to carry it out.
[More at URL]
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Kentucky Children Forced To Take Pro-Homosexual Training
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2619
February 23, 2006 – Children in Ashland, Kentucky have no religious or free-speech rights to opt out of pro-homosexual anti-harassment training, according to Federal Judge David Bunning. According to Bunning, “there is simply no basis for an opt-out” because the anti-harassment program is “rationally related to a legitimate educational goal, namely to maintain a safe environment.”
The school district was forced by the settlement of an ACLU lawsuit in 2004 to institute anti-harassment training after the school had a conflict with a student homosexual organization.
The ACLU has defended the right of the school to keep the anti-harassment program in place. Students wishing to opt out were defended by the Alliance Defense Fund.
[More at URL]
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Evangelical Environmental Group Funded By Globalist, Pro-Abortion And Pro-Homosexual Foundations
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2624
February 23, 2006 – TVC has just published a new report on global warming and the funding background of a group called the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN).
The group is headed by Rev. Jim Ball and is described in media accounts as a “centrist” organization of evangelical leaders. The group, however, is being funded by an assortment of foundations that also provide significant funds for one-world, pro-abortion, and pro-homosexual activist groups.
One wonders why an evangelical group would accept money from such foundations or why these foundations would be willing to fund the activities of a Christian organization—unless the foundation grant givers believe the EEN will help them achieve their own globalist objectives.
[More at URL]
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Marriage and family institute opens
Focus on the Family (Canada office)
Today's Family News
February 22, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/misc/022206.html
Focus on the Family Canada’s long-awaited Ottawa-based policy and research arm, the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) is now open for business following a very successful official opening last Thursday.
[...]
“A number of people came up to me and said, ‘We don’t agree [with you] on everything because of faith issues, but we agree on the family issues.’ That commonality provides us with strength . . . that we can rally around the important institutions of marriage and family,” Quist told Today’s Family News.
[More at URL]
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Call to Prayer & Action in Your Community
Faith and Freedom Network
February 23, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
With the passage of HB 2661, granting special rights to homosexuals and with the anticipated WA Supreme Court decision to overturn Biblical marriage, we all have cause for concern.
Faith & Freedom and Sound The Alarm invite you to join with others of like-mind in your community for an interdenominational prayer rally. These meetings will present a clear call to prayer and a specific call to action. Forms for signature gathering will be available at these meetings.
You may also request these signature forms by email; forms@faithandfreedom.us or by writing
Faith & Freedom
Attention: Signature Forms
16300 112th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011.
[More at URL]
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Date: 2006-02-25 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-25 04:42 pm (UTC)