(NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Apr. 12th, 2007 10:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdQuite a bit behind on this; I'm sorry. I've been catching up from Norwescon. Zoology certainly has a lot of names to learn, doesn't it? I'm really bad at that. Anyway, here's a bit of catch-up.
Report in the UK: Some schools are dropping teaching of the Holocaust in order not to offend Holocaust-denying fundamentalist Muslims. This is bullshit. Anyone in the UK got more info on this?
Focus on the Family Canada starts promoting its anti-gay "Love Won Out" "gay conversion" seminars in Canada. As usual, a so-called "pro-family" org can't manage to do things like provide childcare ("Childcare: Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.") but can manage to sponsour a daylong seminar on destroying the lives of GBLT people. Very good;
Focus on the Family Canada article saying that while fewer hospitals in Canada are providing abortions services, the number of abortions per year hasn't dropped much, and "the true number of babies aborted could well be much higher," noting that "chemical abortions" (which they don't define, but could be RU-486 and could, given their theology, include birth control in various forms, particularly the day-after pill) aren't counted;
Focus on the Family applauds Minnesota bill that would replace the Board of Judicial Standards with a randomly-chosen slate of volunteer applicants - gosh, I don't see that volunteer pool being packed and/or politicised, do you?;
Texas governor Rick Perry supports bill against "the religion of secularism in our schools";
Focus on the Family pushes the anti-gay "Day of Truth" event in schools, as a counter to the Day of Silence efforts by GBLT students; Scott Davis of Exodus International, an ex-gay group, condemns the "gay agenda" in schools and its "wrongheaded definition of tolerance" - that is, accepting GBLT students as people; Focus on the Family's subheading (calling the anti-gay protests "a Christian event") is part of their absolute equation of Christianity and anti-gay activity;
Focus on the Family condemns including sexual orientation (that includes heterosexual, btw) in the existing Federal hate-crimes law as "special protection for homosexuals," which is, of course, a lie, as anti-straight crimes of violence would be included. FotF also claims it "punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and beliefs about homosexuality," which apparently includes gaybashing, and calls it a "thought crimes law"; there are enough layers of doublespeak here that one can only assume they've taken the wrong lessons from Orwell;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to thank legislators who voted against embryonic stem cell research, or, as they put it, "voted for life";
A follow-up to the attempt to drag Dr. George Tiller - as they put it, "notorious abortionist George Tiller" - before court by anti-gay activist and former state attorney general Phill Kline; all the charges were thrown out, but that didn't stop Mr. Kline frommaking upbringing up new allegations, and fishing through private medical records of former patients;
FotF coverage of the appeal of South Dakota's "informed consent" law, requiring doctors to tell women that abortion kills a living human being, causes depression, psychological distress, and other anti-abortion rhetoric; they are, of course, for it;
Focus on the Family condemns Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle, WA) bill allowing companies to deduct domestic-parnter health benefit costs the same way that they're currently allowed to deduct married-partner health benefits cost; call it an attack on marriage and "bad for business";
Focus on the Family pleased to report that the Senate lacks votes on the stem-cell research bill to overturn Mr. Bush's promised veto; this article is notable in that they continue their tactic of attempting to equate blood stem cells with embryonic stem cells, in the attempt to make people think that if you've got one, the other has no extra potential. This is a lie;
Focus on the Family story reports that restrictions on abortion rights resulted in fewer abortions in Wisconsin;
Focus on the Family condemns Disney plans to allow same-sex couples to participate in their make-believe wedding events, quoting the Christian Action Network as saying, "it's blatantly targeting families," and talking about how CAN has "worked to expose Disney's Gay Days";
Focus on the Family promotes new South Dakota abortion ban bill, one which would self-suspend pending an overturn of Roe v. Wade; the last one, which had already been struck down by the courts, was overturned by public referendum;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM... well, sorta... for students to wear anti-abortion T-shirts on the 24th of April;
FotF: California bill to authorise marriage for same-sex couples will be vetoed if it is passed;
Concerned Women for America's Matt Barber demands Federal investigation of hate-crimes claims, claiming that anti-gay hate crimes are "fabricated"; as someone who has been gaybashed more than her fair share of times and has the scars and skull damage to prove it, I have a high and hearty FUCK YOU, YOU SHRIEKING DOGFUCKER for Matt Barber and all his CWA fucks;
Idaho passes bill requiring women get ultrasounds of their "preborn baby" before getting an abortion;
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dogemperor posts a long, and very much worth reading, essay on Dominionism - as someone raised as a Dominionist, but who escaped the culture. If you want a good look at the inside from the inside, this is an important essay to read.
----- 1 -----
Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims
By LAURA CLARK - More by this author »Last updated at 11:58am on 2nd April 2007
Daily Mail
2 April 2007
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=445979&in_page_id=1770&ICO=NEWS&ICL=TOPART
Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a Government-backed study has revealed.
It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.
There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.
[More at URL]
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Homosexuality: Finding Truth in the Controversy
A dynamic one-day conference from Focus on the Family
Online as of 12 April 2007
http://www.fotf.ca/lovewonout/index.html
What is the conference about?
Since 1998 the Love Won Out Conference has been traveling to North America’s cities bringing a life changing message of hope to tens of thousands of people. At Love Won Out, you’ll hear from nationally known experts who have firsthand experience with the seldom told side of the homosexual issue. You’ll learn how to minister to a loved one who’s dealing with homosexuality, respond to information in our culture, defend Biblical beliefs and prevent your child from embracing this destructive way of life. Most of all, you’ll experience the power of God’s love. You’ll come face to face with His desire to transform the lives of struggling homosexuals who seek freedom in Jesus Christ.
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Location: Cedar Grove Baptist Church
10330-144 Street Surrey BC
Walk Up Registration: 7 a.m.
Event Time: 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Sessions: 4 general sessions with 8 breakout sessions to choose from.
Cost: $60 early bird until May 2nd;
$70 after May 3rd and at the door
Lunch: Lunch will be on your own for 90 minutes.
Childcare: Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.
Registration: To register, call Focus on the Family Canada at 1.800.661.9800 or click here.
Main Sessions: The Condition of Male Homosexuality
The Condition of Female Homosexuality
Personal Testimonies
How Should We Respond?
Breakout Sessions: Responding to Pro-Gay Theology
Top Ten Questions Loved Ones Ask
Practical Tips for Reaching Out
Someone I Love is Gay – What Should I Do?
Hope for Those Who Struggle
Prevention of Male Homosexuality
Questions and Answers on Lesbianism
Ten Things to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say
----- 3 -----
Fewer hospitals performing abortions
Focus on the Family Canada
April 11, 2007
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/life/stories/2007/070411.html
The number of hospitals in Canada that perform abortions is falling, according to a study by a national pro-abortion group called Canadians for Choice (CFC).
As the Ottawa Citizen reported, the study found that only 15.9 per cent of general hospitals – or about one in six – offered abortion services in 2006, down from 17.8 per cent in 2003. And most of those lay within 150 kilometres of the U.S. border.
As a result, the study claims, women living in the more northerly parts of the country are forced to endure limited options and hardships when seeking abortions.
In Ontario, for example, only 33 out of 94 hospitals performed abortions in 2006 – and of these, only one hospital was located north of the Trans-Canada Highway.
[...]
According to Statistics Canada, in 2003 – the most recent figures available – 103,768 abortions were performed, down from 105,154 in 2002 – a decline of just one per cent.
In fact, the true number of babies aborted could well be much higher. As LifesiteNews.com recently noted, “Accurate statistics are now hard to come by, many surgical abortions are likely not recorded as such and chemical abortions are not tallied in the statistics.”
[More at URL]
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Minnesota Bill Aims to Curb Judicial Tyranny
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004352.cfm
Under a bill introduced by two Republican lawmakers, oversight of Minnesota’s judiciary would be handed over to a board dominated by citizen volunteers.
"Judicial tyranny is eroding the rights of the citizens," Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, told the Star Tribune. "We need to give the power back to the Legislature and the people."
The bill, introduced by Severson and Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, would reconfigure the Board on Judicial Standards with eight citizen applicants chosen at random who would then appoint two legislators.
[...]
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about what you can do to stop unaccountable judges from imposing a liberal agenda on America, read “What can we do about judicial activism?”
[More at URL]
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Texas House Committee Takes Up Religious-Liberties Bill
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004353.cfm
The Texas House State Affairs Committee was expected to take up House Bill 3678 today, which would guarantee young people the freedom to express their beliefs at school.
Students and their families were to hold a press conference today to share their stories. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry expressed his support.
"We don't need to shield our children from religious expression and allow them to only be exposed to the religion of secularism in our schools," Perry told the Houston Chronicle. “Discussion does not lead to indoctrination. Rather, it leads to open-mindedness and personal and educational betterment."
[Ed. Note: What this usually means is guaranteeing the ability to demonstrate against queers at school, or against abortion rights. But it can mean other things, and I don't know in this case. And I'm too far behind on everything to look it up, but it's something to track, particularly if you're in Texas.]
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Schools Try to Silence Day of Truth
Some officials say a Christian event is too controversial.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004355.cfm
Hundreds of high schools have approved a Day of Silence — an annual event that encourages students to remain silent, even when called upon in class, as a protest in support of homosexuality. Some of those same schools refuse to allow the Day of Truth, a Christian alternative scheduled for April 19, because they say it’s too controversial.
Danbury High in Connecticut went so far as to ban promotion of the Day of Truth and prevented conservative students from bringing in an ex-gay speaker. The school backed away from its liberal position after Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) intervened.
“ADF wrote a letter to the school saying that if they’re going to allow other student groups to express their viewpoints, and then exclude the Christian viewpoint, then that’s not educating, that’s advocating,” Bowman told Family News in Focus.
Scott Davis, director of student ministries for Exodus International, said opposition to the Day of Truth is more evidence of the hold the gay agenda has on schools.
“Many of these high schools have really bought into the pro-gay myth and are actively promoting homosexuality,” Davis said. “They also typically buy into a wrongheaded definition of tolerance.”
[More at URL]
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U.S. House Committee to Take Up Hate-Crimes Act
Bill would create special protection for homosexuals.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004356.cfm
A U.S. House subcommittee is set to consider legislation Tuesday that would unleash the “thought police” and pave the way for future religious persecution.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would grant sweeping -- and entirely subjective -- power and authority to the federal government to regulate the thoughts, words and actions of Americans, and would create special protections for gays. It would essentially create a “Federal Department of Thought Enforcement,” according to Matt Barber, policy director for Concerned Women for America.
On the Web site The Conservative Voice, Barber wrote: “This bill elevates the status of homosexuals (‘sexual orientation’) and gender confused cross-dressers (‘gender identity’) to a special and more valuable class of citizen based upon their chosen sexual behaviors and/or wardrobe.”
U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., said, "The law already protects everyone equally. What hate-crime legislation does, it begins to treat people unequally.”
If punishment for crime is too lenient, “we need to ratchet up the laws for everyone,” Forbes said, not just for crimes against homosexuals.
“It's fair to call it a Thought Crimes law,” said Caleb H. Price, social-research analyst for Focus on the Family. “Ultimately, it punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and beliefs about homosexuality.”
A similar measure has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
----- 8 -----
The 34 Brave Lawmakers Who Voted for Life
These men and women were willing to take a risk.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004357.cfm
When the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to lift the president's restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, it failed to reach the number of votes necessary to overturn a promised Bush veto. That’s because 34 Senators resisted a bipartisan tide and said “No” to the destruction of preborn humans.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action, said pro-life senators who stood their ground will be criticized in some circles because of it.
“Some of these senators have watched as the composition of the Senate has shifted away from a majority of members holding a pro-life view on issues like this,” she said. “It's hard to be in the minority; you stand strong and cast controversial votes knowing that you will probably lose.”
That strength of character deserves recognition, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
“It would mean more than we can imagine for these brave senators to receive encouragement for their pro-life stand,” she said. “Everyone wins when we thank those who stand strong to protect innocent life."
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said it is “unfortunate” that 63 of his colleagues voted to “divert resources away from ethical stem-cell research to increase funding for unproven and destructive embryonic stem-cell research.”
Ethical stem-cell sources – such as bone marrow and umbilical-cord blood – are used in treating approximately 70 diseases and conditions.
“Is it OK to destroy life,” he asked, “when you can accomplish the same goal without harming a human embryo?”
TAKE ACTION
Find out how your senator voted on the life-destroying Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 at the U.S. Senate Web site.
If your senator was one of the 34 who voted against the bill, please tell them “Thank you.” If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click the blue Take Action button to be automatically logged in to the Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 9 -----
Kansas Governor Appoints Tiller Attorney to Commission
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004344.cfm
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment of Dan Monnat to the Kansas Sentencing Commission, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Monnat is the attorney who defended notorious abortionist George Tiller against 30 misdemeanor charges related to performing late-term abortions. The charges were brought by former Attorney General Phill Kline.
Monnat will serve alongside Attorney General Paul Morrison. Morrison campaigned on the promise to abandon Kline’s investigation into Tiller’s practice.
Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said the governor is known to be a strong supporter of abortion.
“It’s one of those things that make you go, ‘Hmm,’ ” Culp said.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Appeals Court Hears South Dakota Informed-Consent Case
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004346.cfm
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments today in a case dealing with how much information women receive before having an abortion.
Under the statute, doctors must tell women that abortion terminates a life and that the procedure may have other negative consequences. Planned Parenthood challenged a 2005 South Dakota statute claiming it's a violation of abortionists' right to free speech.
[...]
“This statute simply requires that doctors tell women that abortion terminates the life of a living human being,” she said, "that even during pregnancy, they have a constitutionally protected relationship with the newly conceived human being. And that abortion may cause depression and psychological distress."
[More at URL]
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Gay-Benefits Bill Attacks Marriage
Legislation was drafted by activist group.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004348.cfm
A bill quietly introduced in the U.S. House would allow employers to offer tax-free health benefits to their workers' gay partners. Family advocates call it a stealth attack on marriage.
When a spouse is added to a health-care plan, the employer generally covers part of the cost. That amounts to a tax-free benefit to the employee. The bill by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., would extend that to partners of gay employees. It was drafted by the pro-homosexual Human Rights Campaign.
Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, said it's an incremental step toward redefining marriage.
"There are people in Congress who will use every avenue they can to chip away at the traditional definition of marriage," he told Family News in Focus.
Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth, said the law treats married couples and gay unions differently – not out of so-called homophobia – but because the state has a vested interest in promoting marriage.
"There is only one union, which is the marriage union, which benefits society in so many ways," he said. "We want to create incentives for people to stay in and be married and raise children and order society that way."
The McDermott bill is not only bad for society, according to tax attorney Zachary Gray, it's bad for business.
"If I'm an employer and I pay you with after-tax money, that hurts my bottom line much more deeply," he said. "What's going to happen is employers are going to start saying, 'We're just not going to bother. We're just going to pay you a salary and you can go get your own.'"
----- 12 -----
Senate Lacks Votes to Override Veto on Embryonic Stem-Cell Bill
In a medical first, adult stem cells shown to cure young diabetics.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004349.cfm
The U.S. Senate voted 63-34 today in favor of S. 5, which would allow federal tax dollars to be used as an incentive to destroy human embryos for stem-cell research. President Bush has promised a veto, and 67 votes were needed to override that veto.
“That would be the end of the bill, but not the end of the issue,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee. He said he expects the bill to come up again next year.
Supporters of S. 5, continue to argue that embryonic stem cells hold the most promise for medical breakthroughs and cures.
But in stark contrast to those claims, a study published Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association shows 13 young Brazilians with type 1 diabetes have been able to stop taking insulin shots, thanks to a promising treatment with their own stem cells — not embryonic stem cells.
[More at URL]
[Editor's note: blood stem cells, which they call "adult" stem cells, are stem cells in that they can become more than one type of cell. They can become one of three different kinds of cells. This property is called pluripotency. Embryonic stem cells - taken usually from leftover fertilised eggs from fertility treatments - can become any type of cell. This difference is extremely important, and is intentionally obliterated in Focus on the Family and other theoconservative coverage of the issue.]
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Wisconsin Abortion Rate at Record Low
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004333.cfm
Wisconsin's abortion rate dropped for the third straight year to its lowest number ever and is nearly half the national rate, according to the report by the Department of Health and Family Services.
[...]
While Sue Armacost, legislative director for Wisconsin Right to Life, credited the decline to an increase in the number of pro-life young people, education efforts and laws restricting abortion.
In particular, she pointed to a law that requires abortion-minded women to receive more information about their pregnancy and wait at least 24 hours before the procedure can be done.
[More at URL]
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Disney Offers Commitment Ceremonies for Gays
Spokesman says the company is just trying to be"'inclusive."
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004337.cfm
The Walt Disney Co. that made fairy tales famous is now offering make-believe weddings for same-sex couples, despite the fact that most will go home to states that ban the practice.
Disney execs began talking about allowing "commitment" ceremonies under their wedding packages, after a same-sex couple complained. Donn Walker, a spokesman for Disney Parks and Resorts, said the theme-park giant is just trying to be “inclusive” and make every guest feel “welcome and respected.”
[...]
For years, the Christian Action Network has worked to expose Disney’s Gay Days, which take place in June. Jason Campbell, the group's media director, said the latest development is just the icing on the cake.
[More at URL]
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Proposed North Dakota Abortion Ban Revised for Second Time
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004324.cfm
The North Dakota Senate voted Thursday to change a proposed abortion trigger law to a measure that would instead call for a special Senate vote if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its Roe v. Wade decision, LifeNews reported.
Lawmakers introduced an abortion ban in January, but then changed the measure to a trigger law, which would only go into effect if the Supreme Court reversed Roe.
But Democratic Sen. Tracy Potter introduced a second revision to the Senate version – one that calls only for a special session if the Court acts.
[...]
Republican Sen. Stanley Lyson said the revised legislation makes no impact on the lives of preborn children.
“If we’re not going to pass a bill that means anything, then we might as well kill the bill,” he said.
[More at URL]
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National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day Set for April 24
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004323.cfm
On April 24 students can take a stand for the preborn by participating in the National Pro-Life T-shirt Day.
American Life League, the event's sponsor, said the goal is to call attention to the thousands of babies who are aborted every day in America.
“We cannot just sit by and be silent,” the group states on its Web site. “Wearing a pro-life shirt will open eyes, spark discussion and save lives. It’s effective, easy and something that even the meekest of persons can do to take a stand.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the event's Web site to learn more.
----- 17 -----
California Lawmakers Consider Gay Marriage
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004325.cfm
A bill to change the definition of marriage is scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Sabrina Lockhart, a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, told The Associated Press the governor’s position hasn't changed and a veto is planned. Schwarzenegger has said the bill violates Proposition 22, an initiative approved by California voters in 2000 that protects traditional marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Pro-Family Group Calls for Investigation of Hate-Crimes Claims
At issue: Whether incidents used to support legislation are fabricated.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004326.cfm
Concerned Women for America (CWA) is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate whether often-cited examples of hate crimes are fabricated. The request comes after the death of a gay-identified Michigan man proved to be accidental, but that fact came to light only after his story was cited in the U.S. Congress as an example of why hate-crimes legislation is needed.
In making its case, CWA cited what it calls an "alarming number of sexually motivated hate crimes" that were simply made up. Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at CWA, said his group wants answers.
[More at URL]
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Idaho Law Gives Abortion-Minded Women More Information
Women would be offered chance to view ultrasound images.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004327.cfm
Idaho recently became the ninth state to order doctors to provide abortion-minded women ultrasound images of their preborn child before having the procedure.
The state law, signed by Gov. Butch Otter on March 27, ensures that women have access to as much information about their preborn baby as possible. Experts say providing women with an ultrasound image of their child makes following through with an abortion much less likely.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Why the subject of dominionism is...personal to me.
therapy session for rantbeasts
April 6, 2007
http://dogemperor.livejournal.com/122878.html
This is a little essay I originally did for DailyKos to explain why I tend to be very, very concerned in regards to the political movement referred to as dominionism, "Christian Nationalism", and a thousand other things. As you'll find out by reading, the reason I fight is actually quite personal--I hope that by educating people that we can stop kids--including the "Jesus Camp" kids--from living with the same longterm scars that myself and other walkaways deal with every day...and hopefully also to keep the whole country from living in that hell.
There's a reason I write about dominionism--not just on the political threat, but the real threat inherent in these groups by virtue of many of the hardline "spiritual warfare" dominionists being in essence abusive Bible-based cults.
I know all too well about the danger these groups present--not just for the country, but for the kids themselves. I in fact live with it everyday.
You see...I was once one of those kids like in "Jesus Camp" myself.
[More at URL]
Report in the UK: Some schools are dropping teaching of the Holocaust in order not to offend Holocaust-denying fundamentalist Muslims. This is bullshit. Anyone in the UK got more info on this?
Focus on the Family Canada starts promoting its anti-gay "Love Won Out" "gay conversion" seminars in Canada. As usual, a so-called "pro-family" org can't manage to do things like provide childcare ("Childcare: Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.") but can manage to sponsour a daylong seminar on destroying the lives of GBLT people. Very good;
Focus on the Family Canada article saying that while fewer hospitals in Canada are providing abortions services, the number of abortions per year hasn't dropped much, and "the true number of babies aborted could well be much higher," noting that "chemical abortions" (which they don't define, but could be RU-486 and could, given their theology, include birth control in various forms, particularly the day-after pill) aren't counted;
Focus on the Family applauds Minnesota bill that would replace the Board of Judicial Standards with a randomly-chosen slate of volunteer applicants - gosh, I don't see that volunteer pool being packed and/or politicised, do you?;
Texas governor Rick Perry supports bill against "the religion of secularism in our schools";
Focus on the Family pushes the anti-gay "Day of Truth" event in schools, as a counter to the Day of Silence efforts by GBLT students; Scott Davis of Exodus International, an ex-gay group, condemns the "gay agenda" in schools and its "wrongheaded definition of tolerance" - that is, accepting GBLT students as people; Focus on the Family's subheading (calling the anti-gay protests "a Christian event") is part of their absolute equation of Christianity and anti-gay activity;
Focus on the Family condemns including sexual orientation (that includes heterosexual, btw) in the existing Federal hate-crimes law as "special protection for homosexuals," which is, of course, a lie, as anti-straight crimes of violence would be included. FotF also claims it "punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and beliefs about homosexuality," which apparently includes gaybashing, and calls it a "thought crimes law"; there are enough layers of doublespeak here that one can only assume they've taken the wrong lessons from Orwell;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to thank legislators who voted against embryonic stem cell research, or, as they put it, "voted for life";
A follow-up to the attempt to drag Dr. George Tiller - as they put it, "notorious abortionist George Tiller" - before court by anti-gay activist and former state attorney general Phill Kline; all the charges were thrown out, but that didn't stop Mr. Kline from
FotF coverage of the appeal of South Dakota's "informed consent" law, requiring doctors to tell women that abortion kills a living human being, causes depression, psychological distress, and other anti-abortion rhetoric; they are, of course, for it;
Focus on the Family condemns Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle, WA) bill allowing companies to deduct domestic-parnter health benefit costs the same way that they're currently allowed to deduct married-partner health benefits cost; call it an attack on marriage and "bad for business";
Focus on the Family pleased to report that the Senate lacks votes on the stem-cell research bill to overturn Mr. Bush's promised veto; this article is notable in that they continue their tactic of attempting to equate blood stem cells with embryonic stem cells, in the attempt to make people think that if you've got one, the other has no extra potential. This is a lie;
Focus on the Family story reports that restrictions on abortion rights resulted in fewer abortions in Wisconsin;
Focus on the Family condemns Disney plans to allow same-sex couples to participate in their make-believe wedding events, quoting the Christian Action Network as saying, "it's blatantly targeting families," and talking about how CAN has "worked to expose Disney's Gay Days";
Focus on the Family promotes new South Dakota abortion ban bill, one which would self-suspend pending an overturn of Roe v. Wade; the last one, which had already been struck down by the courts, was overturned by public referendum;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM... well, sorta... for students to wear anti-abortion T-shirts on the 24th of April;
FotF: California bill to authorise marriage for same-sex couples will be vetoed if it is passed;
Concerned Women for America's Matt Barber demands Federal investigation of hate-crimes claims, claiming that anti-gay hate crimes are "fabricated"; as someone who has been gaybashed more than her fair share of times and has the scars and skull damage to prove it, I have a high and hearty FUCK YOU, YOU SHRIEKING DOGFUCKER for Matt Barber and all his CWA fucks;
Idaho passes bill requiring women get ultrasounds of their "preborn baby" before getting an abortion;
dogemperor posts a long, and very much worth reading, essay on Dominionism - as someone raised as a Dominionist, but who escaped the culture. If you want a good look at the inside from the inside, this is an important essay to read.----- 1 -----
Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims
By LAURA CLARK - More by this author »Last updated at 11:58am on 2nd April 2007
Daily Mail
2 April 2007
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=445979&in_page_id=1770&ICO=NEWS&ICL=TOPART
Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a Government-backed study has revealed.
It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.
There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades - where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem - because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.
[More at URL]
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Homosexuality: Finding Truth in the Controversy
A dynamic one-day conference from Focus on the Family
Online as of 12 April 2007
http://www.fotf.ca/lovewonout/index.html
What is the conference about?
Since 1998 the Love Won Out Conference has been traveling to North America’s cities bringing a life changing message of hope to tens of thousands of people. At Love Won Out, you’ll hear from nationally known experts who have firsthand experience with the seldom told side of the homosexual issue. You’ll learn how to minister to a loved one who’s dealing with homosexuality, respond to information in our culture, defend Biblical beliefs and prevent your child from embracing this destructive way of life. Most of all, you’ll experience the power of God’s love. You’ll come face to face with His desire to transform the lives of struggling homosexuals who seek freedom in Jesus Christ.
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Location: Cedar Grove Baptist Church
10330-144 Street Surrey BC
Walk Up Registration: 7 a.m.
Event Time: 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Sessions: 4 general sessions with 8 breakout sessions to choose from.
Cost: $60 early bird until May 2nd;
$70 after May 3rd and at the door
Lunch: Lunch will be on your own for 90 minutes.
Childcare: Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.
Registration: To register, call Focus on the Family Canada at 1.800.661.9800 or click here.
Main Sessions: The Condition of Male Homosexuality
The Condition of Female Homosexuality
Personal Testimonies
How Should We Respond?
Breakout Sessions: Responding to Pro-Gay Theology
Top Ten Questions Loved Ones Ask
Practical Tips for Reaching Out
Someone I Love is Gay – What Should I Do?
Hope for Those Who Struggle
Prevention of Male Homosexuality
Questions and Answers on Lesbianism
Ten Things to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say
----- 3 -----
Fewer hospitals performing abortions
Focus on the Family Canada
April 11, 2007
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/life/stories/2007/070411.html
The number of hospitals in Canada that perform abortions is falling, according to a study by a national pro-abortion group called Canadians for Choice (CFC).
As the Ottawa Citizen reported, the study found that only 15.9 per cent of general hospitals – or about one in six – offered abortion services in 2006, down from 17.8 per cent in 2003. And most of those lay within 150 kilometres of the U.S. border.
As a result, the study claims, women living in the more northerly parts of the country are forced to endure limited options and hardships when seeking abortions.
In Ontario, for example, only 33 out of 94 hospitals performed abortions in 2006 – and of these, only one hospital was located north of the Trans-Canada Highway.
[...]
According to Statistics Canada, in 2003 – the most recent figures available – 103,768 abortions were performed, down from 105,154 in 2002 – a decline of just one per cent.
In fact, the true number of babies aborted could well be much higher. As LifesiteNews.com recently noted, “Accurate statistics are now hard to come by, many surgical abortions are likely not recorded as such and chemical abortions are not tallied in the statistics.”
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Minnesota Bill Aims to Curb Judicial Tyranny
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004352.cfm
Under a bill introduced by two Republican lawmakers, oversight of Minnesota’s judiciary would be handed over to a board dominated by citizen volunteers.
"Judicial tyranny is eroding the rights of the citizens," Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, told the Star Tribune. "We need to give the power back to the Legislature and the people."
The bill, introduced by Severson and Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, would reconfigure the Board on Judicial Standards with eight citizen applicants chosen at random who would then appoint two legislators.
[...]
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about what you can do to stop unaccountable judges from imposing a liberal agenda on America, read “What can we do about judicial activism?”
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Texas House Committee Takes Up Religious-Liberties Bill
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004353.cfm
The Texas House State Affairs Committee was expected to take up House Bill 3678 today, which would guarantee young people the freedom to express their beliefs at school.
Students and their families were to hold a press conference today to share their stories. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry expressed his support.
"We don't need to shield our children from religious expression and allow them to only be exposed to the religion of secularism in our schools," Perry told the Houston Chronicle. “Discussion does not lead to indoctrination. Rather, it leads to open-mindedness and personal and educational betterment."
[Ed. Note: What this usually means is guaranteeing the ability to demonstrate against queers at school, or against abortion rights. But it can mean other things, and I don't know in this case. And I'm too far behind on everything to look it up, but it's something to track, particularly if you're in Texas.]
----- 6 -----
Schools Try to Silence Day of Truth
Some officials say a Christian event is too controversial.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004355.cfm
Hundreds of high schools have approved a Day of Silence — an annual event that encourages students to remain silent, even when called upon in class, as a protest in support of homosexuality. Some of those same schools refuse to allow the Day of Truth, a Christian alternative scheduled for April 19, because they say it’s too controversial.
Danbury High in Connecticut went so far as to ban promotion of the Day of Truth and prevented conservative students from bringing in an ex-gay speaker. The school backed away from its liberal position after Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) intervened.
“ADF wrote a letter to the school saying that if they’re going to allow other student groups to express their viewpoints, and then exclude the Christian viewpoint, then that’s not educating, that’s advocating,” Bowman told Family News in Focus.
Scott Davis, director of student ministries for Exodus International, said opposition to the Day of Truth is more evidence of the hold the gay agenda has on schools.
“Many of these high schools have really bought into the pro-gay myth and are actively promoting homosexuality,” Davis said. “They also typically buy into a wrongheaded definition of tolerance.”
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
U.S. House Committee to Take Up Hate-Crimes Act
Bill would create special protection for homosexuals.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004356.cfm
A U.S. House subcommittee is set to consider legislation Tuesday that would unleash the “thought police” and pave the way for future religious persecution.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would grant sweeping -- and entirely subjective -- power and authority to the federal government to regulate the thoughts, words and actions of Americans, and would create special protections for gays. It would essentially create a “Federal Department of Thought Enforcement,” according to Matt Barber, policy director for Concerned Women for America.
On the Web site The Conservative Voice, Barber wrote: “This bill elevates the status of homosexuals (‘sexual orientation’) and gender confused cross-dressers (‘gender identity’) to a special and more valuable class of citizen based upon their chosen sexual behaviors and/or wardrobe.”
U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., said, "The law already protects everyone equally. What hate-crime legislation does, it begins to treat people unequally.”
If punishment for crime is too lenient, “we need to ratchet up the laws for everyone,” Forbes said, not just for crimes against homosexuals.
“It's fair to call it a Thought Crimes law,” said Caleb H. Price, social-research analyst for Focus on the Family. “Ultimately, it punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and beliefs about homosexuality.”
A similar measure has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
----- 8 -----
The 34 Brave Lawmakers Who Voted for Life
These men and women were willing to take a risk.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004357.cfm
When the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to lift the president's restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, it failed to reach the number of votes necessary to overturn a promised Bush veto. That’s because 34 Senators resisted a bipartisan tide and said “No” to the destruction of preborn humans.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action, said pro-life senators who stood their ground will be criticized in some circles because of it.
“Some of these senators have watched as the composition of the Senate has shifted away from a majority of members holding a pro-life view on issues like this,” she said. “It's hard to be in the minority; you stand strong and cast controversial votes knowing that you will probably lose.”
That strength of character deserves recognition, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
“It would mean more than we can imagine for these brave senators to receive encouragement for their pro-life stand,” she said. “Everyone wins when we thank those who stand strong to protect innocent life."
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said it is “unfortunate” that 63 of his colleagues voted to “divert resources away from ethical stem-cell research to increase funding for unproven and destructive embryonic stem-cell research.”
Ethical stem-cell sources – such as bone marrow and umbilical-cord blood – are used in treating approximately 70 diseases and conditions.
“Is it OK to destroy life,” he asked, “when you can accomplish the same goal without harming a human embryo?”
TAKE ACTION
Find out how your senator voted on the life-destroying Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 at the U.S. Senate Web site.
If your senator was one of the 34 who voted against the bill, please tell them “Thank you.” If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click the blue Take Action button to be automatically logged in to the Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 9 -----
Kansas Governor Appoints Tiller Attorney to Commission
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004344.cfm
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment of Dan Monnat to the Kansas Sentencing Commission, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Monnat is the attorney who defended notorious abortionist George Tiller against 30 misdemeanor charges related to performing late-term abortions. The charges were brought by former Attorney General Phill Kline.
Monnat will serve alongside Attorney General Paul Morrison. Morrison campaigned on the promise to abandon Kline’s investigation into Tiller’s practice.
Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said the governor is known to be a strong supporter of abortion.
“It’s one of those things that make you go, ‘Hmm,’ ” Culp said.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Appeals Court Hears South Dakota Informed-Consent Case
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004346.cfm
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments today in a case dealing with how much information women receive before having an abortion.
Under the statute, doctors must tell women that abortion terminates a life and that the procedure may have other negative consequences. Planned Parenthood challenged a 2005 South Dakota statute claiming it's a violation of abortionists' right to free speech.
[...]
“This statute simply requires that doctors tell women that abortion terminates the life of a living human being,” she said, "that even during pregnancy, they have a constitutionally protected relationship with the newly conceived human being. And that abortion may cause depression and psychological distress."
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
Gay-Benefits Bill Attacks Marriage
Legislation was drafted by activist group.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004348.cfm
A bill quietly introduced in the U.S. House would allow employers to offer tax-free health benefits to their workers' gay partners. Family advocates call it a stealth attack on marriage.
When a spouse is added to a health-care plan, the employer generally covers part of the cost. That amounts to a tax-free benefit to the employee. The bill by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., would extend that to partners of gay employees. It was drafted by the pro-homosexual Human Rights Campaign.
Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, said it's an incremental step toward redefining marriage.
"There are people in Congress who will use every avenue they can to chip away at the traditional definition of marriage," he told Family News in Focus.
Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth, said the law treats married couples and gay unions differently – not out of so-called homophobia – but because the state has a vested interest in promoting marriage.
"There is only one union, which is the marriage union, which benefits society in so many ways," he said. "We want to create incentives for people to stay in and be married and raise children and order society that way."
The McDermott bill is not only bad for society, according to tax attorney Zachary Gray, it's bad for business.
"If I'm an employer and I pay you with after-tax money, that hurts my bottom line much more deeply," he said. "What's going to happen is employers are going to start saying, 'We're just not going to bother. We're just going to pay you a salary and you can go get your own.'"
----- 12 -----
Senate Lacks Votes to Override Veto on Embryonic Stem-Cell Bill
In a medical first, adult stem cells shown to cure young diabetics.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004349.cfm
The U.S. Senate voted 63-34 today in favor of S. 5, which would allow federal tax dollars to be used as an incentive to destroy human embryos for stem-cell research. President Bush has promised a veto, and 67 votes were needed to override that veto.
“That would be the end of the bill, but not the end of the issue,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee. He said he expects the bill to come up again next year.
Supporters of S. 5, continue to argue that embryonic stem cells hold the most promise for medical breakthroughs and cures.
But in stark contrast to those claims, a study published Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association shows 13 young Brazilians with type 1 diabetes have been able to stop taking insulin shots, thanks to a promising treatment with their own stem cells — not embryonic stem cells.
[More at URL]
[Editor's note: blood stem cells, which they call "adult" stem cells, are stem cells in that they can become more than one type of cell. They can become one of three different kinds of cells. This property is called pluripotency. Embryonic stem cells - taken usually from leftover fertilised eggs from fertility treatments - can become any type of cell. This difference is extremely important, and is intentionally obliterated in Focus on the Family and other theoconservative coverage of the issue.]
----- 13 -----
Wisconsin Abortion Rate at Record Low
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004333.cfm
Wisconsin's abortion rate dropped for the third straight year to its lowest number ever and is nearly half the national rate, according to the report by the Department of Health and Family Services.
[...]
While Sue Armacost, legislative director for Wisconsin Right to Life, credited the decline to an increase in the number of pro-life young people, education efforts and laws restricting abortion.
In particular, she pointed to a law that requires abortion-minded women to receive more information about their pregnancy and wait at least 24 hours before the procedure can be done.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Disney Offers Commitment Ceremonies for Gays
Spokesman says the company is just trying to be"'inclusive."
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004337.cfm
The Walt Disney Co. that made fairy tales famous is now offering make-believe weddings for same-sex couples, despite the fact that most will go home to states that ban the practice.
Disney execs began talking about allowing "commitment" ceremonies under their wedding packages, after a same-sex couple complained. Donn Walker, a spokesman for Disney Parks and Resorts, said the theme-park giant is just trying to be “inclusive” and make every guest feel “welcome and respected.”
[...]
For years, the Christian Action Network has worked to expose Disney’s Gay Days, which take place in June. Jason Campbell, the group's media director, said the latest development is just the icing on the cake.
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Proposed North Dakota Abortion Ban Revised for Second Time
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004324.cfm
The North Dakota Senate voted Thursday to change a proposed abortion trigger law to a measure that would instead call for a special Senate vote if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its Roe v. Wade decision, LifeNews reported.
Lawmakers introduced an abortion ban in January, but then changed the measure to a trigger law, which would only go into effect if the Supreme Court reversed Roe.
But Democratic Sen. Tracy Potter introduced a second revision to the Senate version – one that calls only for a special session if the Court acts.
[...]
Republican Sen. Stanley Lyson said the revised legislation makes no impact on the lives of preborn children.
“If we’re not going to pass a bill that means anything, then we might as well kill the bill,” he said.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day Set for April 24
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004323.cfm
On April 24 students can take a stand for the preborn by participating in the National Pro-Life T-shirt Day.
American Life League, the event's sponsor, said the goal is to call attention to the thousands of babies who are aborted every day in America.
“We cannot just sit by and be silent,” the group states on its Web site. “Wearing a pro-life shirt will open eyes, spark discussion and save lives. It’s effective, easy and something that even the meekest of persons can do to take a stand.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the event's Web site to learn more.
----- 17 -----
California Lawmakers Consider Gay Marriage
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004325.cfm
A bill to change the definition of marriage is scheduled to be considered Tuesday by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Sabrina Lockhart, a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, told The Associated Press the governor’s position hasn't changed and a veto is planned. Schwarzenegger has said the bill violates Proposition 22, an initiative approved by California voters in 2000 that protects traditional marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Pro-Family Group Calls for Investigation of Hate-Crimes Claims
At issue: Whether incidents used to support legislation are fabricated.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004326.cfm
Concerned Women for America (CWA) is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate whether often-cited examples of hate crimes are fabricated. The request comes after the death of a gay-identified Michigan man proved to be accidental, but that fact came to light only after his story was cited in the U.S. Congress as an example of why hate-crimes legislation is needed.
In making its case, CWA cited what it calls an "alarming number of sexually motivated hate crimes" that were simply made up. Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at CWA, said his group wants answers.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Idaho Law Gives Abortion-Minded Women More Information
Women would be offered chance to view ultrasound images.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004327.cfm
Idaho recently became the ninth state to order doctors to provide abortion-minded women ultrasound images of their preborn child before having the procedure.
The state law, signed by Gov. Butch Otter on March 27, ensures that women have access to as much information about their preborn baby as possible. Experts say providing women with an ultrasound image of their child makes following through with an abortion much less likely.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Why the subject of dominionism is...personal to me.
therapy session for rantbeasts
April 6, 2007
http://dogemperor.livejournal.com/122878.html
This is a little essay I originally did for DailyKos to explain why I tend to be very, very concerned in regards to the political movement referred to as dominionism, "Christian Nationalism", and a thousand other things. As you'll find out by reading, the reason I fight is actually quite personal--I hope that by educating people that we can stop kids--including the "Jesus Camp" kids--from living with the same longterm scars that myself and other walkaways deal with every day...and hopefully also to keep the whole country from living in that hell.
There's a reason I write about dominionism--not just on the political threat, but the real threat inherent in these groups by virtue of many of the hardline "spiritual warfare" dominionists being in essence abusive Bible-based cults.
I know all too well about the danger these groups present--not just for the country, but for the kids themselves. I in fact live with it everyday.
You see...I was once one of those kids like in "Jesus Camp" myself.
[More at URL]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
spice must flow
Date: 2007-04-13 08:12 am (UTC)Re: spice must flow
Date: 2007-04-13 02:24 pm (UTC)Re: spice must flow
Date: 2007-04-14 12:23 am (UTC)Their idea is that if they use the term "preborn babies" it gets across the idea that human life starts at fertilisation. (These *are* the same folks who promote "snowflake baby adoption"--"adoption" of unused embryos meant for implantation post-in vitro fertilisation--because they feel that disposing of unused in vitro fertilisation embryos is "murder". So far, they've not given comment on the fact that upwards of fifty to ninety percent of fertilised embryos never implant but are washed away in a woman's period, though I expect they'd consider those miscarriages if they ever knew about them.) In other words, it's a classic example of loading the language (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/2/104847/030)--a redefining of terms which is now recognised as a common trait of coercive and abusive groups in general.
Re: spice must flow
Date: 2007-04-14 01:00 am (UTC)media I was monitoring at the time.
Also, at this point, most (if not all) of the dominionist groups call birth control abortifacients. It's a very evil meme. Occasionally, but regularly, you see notes about the need to move beyond abortion to working against birth control, too, of course; that's what James Dobson was going on about when he was backing up the beginning of "judicial tyranny" to 1961, and the Supreme Court decisions that legalised birth control.