Today's Cultural Warfare Update (2/2)
Jul. 14th, 2007 12:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdFocus on the Family article on the American Psychological Association committee being formed; they worry that it will actually come out with a harder line against ex-gay bullshit;
FotF urges extension of abstinence-only sexual education funding; [Very silly typo fixed, oops *^_^*;]
Focus on the Family's book promotion is for "Restoring Sexual Identity," an "ex-lesbian" book. One of Focus on the Family's core efforts is to separate the idea of sexual orientation from the person, to pretend that it's not integral but is instead an affliction that can be cured, that is separate from the person. This is core to all of Focus's "ex-gay" efforts, really;
FotF: "ACLU Challenges Arizona Tuition Tax-Credit Program";
FotF praises NFL coach Dungy (Indianapolis Colts) for being a fundamentalist; they've previously praised his anti-gay commentary;
Focus on the Family story, "University Sued for Refusing to Recognize Christian Group," points out another theoconservative meme; if they aren't allowed to discriminate against people (in this case, women and non-Christians), then they are being oppressed. In this case, the University of Florida is refusing to recognise a student group because it bans women and discriminates on the basis of religion, both explicitly, and as part of its charter. Focus on the Family calls this anti-Christian discrimination, a "disgrace," and is supporting the lawsuit (Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund lawsuit) against U. Florida;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to "restore decency" on broadcast TV; it's a pair of amendments by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS);
FotF story condemning "Homosexual Conference" on GBLT rights overseas quotes Peter LaBarbera supporting Jamaica's outright criminalisation of GBLT people. (Peter LaBarbera is a former Concerned Women for America wonk who is now with the anti-gay group "Americans for Truth.") FotF seems fine with this. Also, part of the condemnation includes blasting the conference for exporting "immoral American standards" to the rest of the world. I look forward to seeing Focus on the Family Canada, Focus on the Family Mexico, and Focus on the Family Latin and South America branches' commentary on this story;
FotF promotes their Washington Briefing theocon confab;
Focus on the Family unhappy that most Americans don't consider children the most important key to a successful marriage, and unhappy most Americans think marriage keys include "personal happiness and commitment";
Focus on the Family story on the Massachusetts man who failed the state bar exam in part because he refused to answer a question about same-sex marriage law in the state because he decided it was a violation of his religious beliefs. Focus on the Family is sympathetic. Note again the meme: anything that doesn't conform to their religious beliefs, be that antidiscrimination or standing law, must conform to them or be declared anti-Christian religious discrimination;
Focus on the Family commends Missouri banning Planned Parenthood from presenting information about sexual health in state public schools;
FotF: Kansas forms committee to review state abortion law; it's another attempt to Get Tiller, more or less;
Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery condemns Sen. Obama (Democratic presidential candidate) speech on Christian compassion.
----- 30 -----
Psychologists to Review Policy on Homosexuality
Focus on the Family, others urge APA to consider faith of patients.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005032.cfm
Beginning next week, a task force set up by the American Psychological Association (APA) will begin reviewing the organization's 10-year-old policy on homosexuality, which opposes counseling that treats same-sex attraction as a mental illness, but does not forbid various therapies that address unwanted same-sex attraction.
Focus on the Family has joined more than 250 pro-family organizations and individuals in urging the APA to recognize the religious beliefs of clients and to allow those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive therapy. The letter is signed by the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, the American Association of Christian Counselors, the National Board of Christian Clinical Therapists and more than 22 higher-education institutions.
[...]
Warren Throckmorton, a psychology professor at Grove City College near Pittsburgh, was denied a seat on the task force.
"We work with clients to pursue their chosen values," he told The Associated Press. "If they are core, unwavering commitments to their religious belief, therapists should not try to persuade them differently under the guise of science."
[...]
But Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis for Focus on the Family Action, said she believes the APA "is on a path to religious discrimination."
"Based on the charge to the task force," she said, "one possible outcome is that the APA will declare any therapy that does not affirm homosexuality as unethical — regardless of the client's goal. This would be a slap in the face to millions of Americans who hold religious and moral views on homosexuality."
[More at URL]
----- 31 -----
Abstinence Funding Granted Three-Month Extension
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005028.cfm
The U.S. House today passed legislation that extends funding for Title V abstinence education for three months – until the end of the fiscal year.
The Senate passed the bill last month. It now goes to the president.
Section 510 of Title V of the Social Security Act – established in 1996 – allows money for abstinence-only education to be distributed to states that apply for it. Bush submitted a budget reauthorization proposal in 2002, but Congress failed to act. Title V funding has continued under a series of temporary reauthorizations and was set to expire on June 30. The three-month extension buys lawmakers little time to save the program.
Linda Klepacki, analyst for sexual health at Focus on the Family Action, said people must continue to contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support abstinence-until-marriage education funding beyond the three-month extension.
[More at URL]
----- 32 -----
Restoring Sexual Identity
Hope for Women Who Struggle with Same-Sex Attraction
Anne Paulk
Focus on the Family
Paperback
http://resources.family.org/product/id/101676.do?code=OL07XFARC3
Are you or someone you know struggling with same-sex attraction? Is lesbianism an inherited predisposition? Find answers to this and other critical questions. Women, their families and friends wrestling with this issue will find practical advice for healing and change.
----- 33 -----
ACLU Challenges Arizona Tuition Tax-Credit Program
Supporters say it's all private money.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005030.cfm
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is trying to get a court to declare Arizona's tuition-credit program unconstitutional because it allows tuition scholarships to be used at religious schools.
This is the fifth attempt by the ACLU and its allies to get School Choice Arizona declared unconstitutional. The program, which helps parents get their kids out of failing schools and creates competition in education, is funded by private donors who get a tax credit for supporting education.
[More at URL]
----- 34 -----
Coach Dungy Keeps 'First Things First'
Super Bowl winner visits Focus on the Family as new book hits the shelves.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005027.cfm
Beginning Wednesday, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson sits down with Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl-champion Indianapolis Colts.
"He's a champion in many areas, as I think we'll see," Dr. Dobson says at the beginning of Day 1 of the three-day broadcast. "We are elated … to have one of the finest men in America in our studio. We are so excited about him being with us, not just because he is successful as a coach, but because of the character of the man. He is deeply committed to Jesus Christ, and he maintains a consistent witness in everything that he does."
[More at URL]
----- 35 -----
University Sued for Refusing to Recognize Christian Group
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005022.cfm
The Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court today against University of Florida officials on behalf of a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX). University officials refuse to recognize BYX as a registered student group because the group limits its membership to Christian men.
“Christian student groups cannot be singled out for discrimination. The right to associate with people of like mind and interest applies to all student groups on a public university campus,” Timothy J. Tracey, litigation counsel for CLS’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom, said in a statement.
[...]
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said: "The national pattern of intentional discrimination against Christian groups by state universities is a First Amendment disgrace."
----- 36 -----
Brownback Attempts to Restore Decency
Two amendments would help reverse a negative court ruling.
by Ashley Horne, federal issues analyst
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005026.cfm
Legislation that would restore regulation of sex, profanity and violence on broadcast TV is scheduled for a vote Thursday in a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
One of the two amendments offered by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., would render moot a recent U.S. circuit court decision that struck down government efforts to regulate indecent content during the "safe harbor" hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Last month, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC exceeded its authority by finding so-called "fleeting expletives" to be indecent. If left to stand, the 2nd Circuit's decision would allow networks to air the "f-word" and "s-word" at any time of day.
The second amendment would give the Federal Communications Commission the authority to prohibit excessive violence from 6-10 p.m. on prime-time TV.
TAKE ACTION
If your senator is listed below, urge him or her to support Sen. Brownback’s two decency amendments when the Senate Financial Services Subcommittee marks up the Financial Services Appropriations Bill on Thursday. If you are a CitizenLink subscriber, click on the link in the e-mail. Otherwise, click on this link.
Democratic subcommittee members:
Sen. Richard Durbin (Chairman, Ill.)
Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.)
Republican subcommittee members:
Sen. Sam Brownback (Ranking member, Kan.)
Sen. Christopher Bond (Mo.)
Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.)
Sen. Wayne Allard (Colo.)
[More at URL]
----- 37 -----
Washington Briefing: Engaging the Next Generation
Pro-family leaders will equip values voters to speak out.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005009.cfm
The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit, to be held Oct. 19-21, is designed to help values voters have a voice in issues of importance to the family.
Sponsored by FRC Action and co-sponsored by Focus on the Family Action, American Values and the Alliance Defense Fund, the second annual summit will allow conferees the chance to attend a host of events, including speeches, breakout sessions and private luncheons.
Tony Perkins, president of FRC Action, talked with CitizenLink about the October conference.
[More at URL]
----- 38 -----
Fewer Americans View Children as Important to Happy Marriages
Most say a two-parent home is best for raising children.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005015.cfm
Children were ranked next to last in a list of nine qualities for a happy marriage, in a survey from the Pew Research Center Americans.
Even sharing household chores ranked as more important. Only 41 percent of those polled said children are important to a successful marriage, which is down 24 percent since 1990.
Cary Funk, a Pew Research spokesman, said more than six in 10 said marriage was for personal happiness and fulfillment.
"So, we’re thinking about marriage in terms of the satisfaction of the couple and less as the purpose being to have children,” he told Family News in Focus. "People are thinking differently about marriage – especially about the role of children in marriage – than they did 15 or 20 years ago.”
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director, issue analysis at Focus on the Family Action, said the survey is an alarming indicator that our culture is too inwardly focused.
[More at URL]
----- 39 -----
Man Claims Bar Exam Question About Homosexual Rights is Unconstitutional
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005011.cfm
A Massachusetts man has filed a lawsuit claiming a question about same-sex "marriage" on the state's bar exam violated his rights, Fox News reported.
Stephen Dunne took the bar exam in May; his score was less than two points shy of the requirement to pass. Dunne said that's because he left one question unanswered concerning the rights of two married lesbians, their children and their property. He said he believed it legitimized same-sex "marriage" – which is contrary to his moral and religious beliefs.
It's a "disguised mechanism to screen applicants according to their political ideology (and) has the discriminatory impact of persecuting and oppressing sincere religious practices and beliefs," Dunne said in his lawsuit.
The bar exam, he said, is not the place for questions about same-sex marriage.
"There's a different forum for that contemporary issue to be discussed, and it's inappropriate to be on a professional licensing examination," Dunne said. "You don't see questions about partial-birth abortion or abortion on there."
[Editor's note: same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, and as such, part of Massachusetts law.]
----- 40 -----
Missouri Bans Planned Parenthood from Classrooms
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005013.cfm
Legislation signed today by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt means abortion providers will not be allowed to present information about sexual health in the state's public schools, The Associated Press reported.
The law also requires abortion clinics to become ambulatory surgical centers and makes the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Services Program permanent.
"All life is precious and needs to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect," Blunt said. "I will continue working with the Missouri General Assembly to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of all human life."
[More at URL]
----- 41 -----
Sunflower State to Review Abortion Laws, Make Recommendations
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005012.cfm
In the wake of legal controversy surrounding notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller, Kansas lawmakers have formed a committee that will review abortion laws and make recommendations for next year's session, The Associated Press reported.
Six members of the Kansas House and three members of the Senate will participate in the review.
Rep. Melvin Neufeld, speaker of the House, said it was the investigation into Tiller, initiated by former Attorney General Phill Kline and continued, to some extent, by Attorney General Paul Morrison that exposed a significant disagreement in the interpretation of the law.
[More at URL]
----- 42 -----
Obama: Clueless on Christian compassion
Posted: July 5, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Tom Minnery
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56512
At a recent church conference, Sen. Barack Obama gave a speech designed to stir the hearts of all of us who yearn for more authentic religion in the public square.
He was earnest, compassionate – and thoroughly misleading about the proper roles of religion and government. As the presidential campaign progresses, we will hear more such talk, and so what he had to say must be dissected carefully.
First of all, the speech was powerful in its call for moral influence on government. Had parts of it been delivered by my boss, Dr. James Dobson, Barry Lynn would have fired up his sound-bite machine and the media would have been apoplectic for days. But Sen. Obama is a political liberal, and so there was no controversy.
[More at URL]
FotF urges extension of abstinence-only sexual education funding; [Very silly typo fixed, oops *^_^*;]
Focus on the Family's book promotion is for "Restoring Sexual Identity," an "ex-lesbian" book. One of Focus on the Family's core efforts is to separate the idea of sexual orientation from the person, to pretend that it's not integral but is instead an affliction that can be cured, that is separate from the person. This is core to all of Focus's "ex-gay" efforts, really;
FotF: "ACLU Challenges Arizona Tuition Tax-Credit Program";
FotF praises NFL coach Dungy (Indianapolis Colts) for being a fundamentalist; they've previously praised his anti-gay commentary;
Focus on the Family story, "University Sued for Refusing to Recognize Christian Group," points out another theoconservative meme; if they aren't allowed to discriminate against people (in this case, women and non-Christians), then they are being oppressed. In this case, the University of Florida is refusing to recognise a student group because it bans women and discriminates on the basis of religion, both explicitly, and as part of its charter. Focus on the Family calls this anti-Christian discrimination, a "disgrace," and is supporting the lawsuit (Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund lawsuit) against U. Florida;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to "restore decency" on broadcast TV; it's a pair of amendments by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS);
FotF story condemning "Homosexual Conference" on GBLT rights overseas quotes Peter LaBarbera supporting Jamaica's outright criminalisation of GBLT people. (Peter LaBarbera is a former Concerned Women for America wonk who is now with the anti-gay group "Americans for Truth.") FotF seems fine with this. Also, part of the condemnation includes blasting the conference for exporting "immoral American standards" to the rest of the world. I look forward to seeing Focus on the Family Canada, Focus on the Family Mexico, and Focus on the Family Latin and South America branches' commentary on this story;
FotF promotes their Washington Briefing theocon confab;
Focus on the Family unhappy that most Americans don't consider children the most important key to a successful marriage, and unhappy most Americans think marriage keys include "personal happiness and commitment";
Focus on the Family story on the Massachusetts man who failed the state bar exam in part because he refused to answer a question about same-sex marriage law in the state because he decided it was a violation of his religious beliefs. Focus on the Family is sympathetic. Note again the meme: anything that doesn't conform to their religious beliefs, be that antidiscrimination or standing law, must conform to them or be declared anti-Christian religious discrimination;
Focus on the Family commends Missouri banning Planned Parenthood from presenting information about sexual health in state public schools;
FotF: Kansas forms committee to review state abortion law; it's another attempt to Get Tiller, more or less;
Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery condemns Sen. Obama (Democratic presidential candidate) speech on Christian compassion.
----- 30 -----
Psychologists to Review Policy on Homosexuality
Focus on the Family, others urge APA to consider faith of patients.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005032.cfm
Beginning next week, a task force set up by the American Psychological Association (APA) will begin reviewing the organization's 10-year-old policy on homosexuality, which opposes counseling that treats same-sex attraction as a mental illness, but does not forbid various therapies that address unwanted same-sex attraction.
Focus on the Family has joined more than 250 pro-family organizations and individuals in urging the APA to recognize the religious beliefs of clients and to allow those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive therapy. The letter is signed by the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, the American Association of Christian Counselors, the National Board of Christian Clinical Therapists and more than 22 higher-education institutions.
[...]
Warren Throckmorton, a psychology professor at Grove City College near Pittsburgh, was denied a seat on the task force.
"We work with clients to pursue their chosen values," he told The Associated Press. "If they are core, unwavering commitments to their religious belief, therapists should not try to persuade them differently under the guise of science."
[...]
But Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis for Focus on the Family Action, said she believes the APA "is on a path to religious discrimination."
"Based on the charge to the task force," she said, "one possible outcome is that the APA will declare any therapy that does not affirm homosexuality as unethical — regardless of the client's goal. This would be a slap in the face to millions of Americans who hold religious and moral views on homosexuality."
[More at URL]
----- 31 -----
Abstinence Funding Granted Three-Month Extension
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005028.cfm
The U.S. House today passed legislation that extends funding for Title V abstinence education for three months – until the end of the fiscal year.
The Senate passed the bill last month. It now goes to the president.
Section 510 of Title V of the Social Security Act – established in 1996 – allows money for abstinence-only education to be distributed to states that apply for it. Bush submitted a budget reauthorization proposal in 2002, but Congress failed to act. Title V funding has continued under a series of temporary reauthorizations and was set to expire on June 30. The three-month extension buys lawmakers little time to save the program.
Linda Klepacki, analyst for sexual health at Focus on the Family Action, said people must continue to contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support abstinence-until-marriage education funding beyond the three-month extension.
[More at URL]
----- 32 -----
Restoring Sexual Identity
Hope for Women Who Struggle with Same-Sex Attraction
Anne Paulk
Focus on the Family
Paperback
http://resources.family.org/product/id/101676.do?code=OL07XFARC3
Are you or someone you know struggling with same-sex attraction? Is lesbianism an inherited predisposition? Find answers to this and other critical questions. Women, their families and friends wrestling with this issue will find practical advice for healing and change.
----- 33 -----
ACLU Challenges Arizona Tuition Tax-Credit Program
Supporters say it's all private money.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
7-11-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005030.cfm
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is trying to get a court to declare Arizona's tuition-credit program unconstitutional because it allows tuition scholarships to be used at religious schools.
This is the fifth attempt by the ACLU and its allies to get School Choice Arizona declared unconstitutional. The program, which helps parents get their kids out of failing schools and creates competition in education, is funded by private donors who get a tax credit for supporting education.
[More at URL]
----- 34 -----
Coach Dungy Keeps 'First Things First'
Super Bowl winner visits Focus on the Family as new book hits the shelves.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005027.cfm
Beginning Wednesday, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson sits down with Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl-champion Indianapolis Colts.
"He's a champion in many areas, as I think we'll see," Dr. Dobson says at the beginning of Day 1 of the three-day broadcast. "We are elated … to have one of the finest men in America in our studio. We are so excited about him being with us, not just because he is successful as a coach, but because of the character of the man. He is deeply committed to Jesus Christ, and he maintains a consistent witness in everything that he does."
[More at URL]
----- 35 -----
University Sued for Refusing to Recognize Christian Group
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005022.cfm
The Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court today against University of Florida officials on behalf of a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX). University officials refuse to recognize BYX as a registered student group because the group limits its membership to Christian men.
“Christian student groups cannot be singled out for discrimination. The right to associate with people of like mind and interest applies to all student groups on a public university campus,” Timothy J. Tracey, litigation counsel for CLS’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom, said in a statement.
[...]
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said: "The national pattern of intentional discrimination against Christian groups by state universities is a First Amendment disgrace."
----- 36 -----
Brownback Attempts to Restore Decency
Two amendments would help reverse a negative court ruling.
by Ashley Horne, federal issues analyst
Focus on the Family
7-10-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005026.cfm
Legislation that would restore regulation of sex, profanity and violence on broadcast TV is scheduled for a vote Thursday in a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
One of the two amendments offered by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., would render moot a recent U.S. circuit court decision that struck down government efforts to regulate indecent content during the "safe harbor" hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Last month, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC exceeded its authority by finding so-called "fleeting expletives" to be indecent. If left to stand, the 2nd Circuit's decision would allow networks to air the "f-word" and "s-word" at any time of day.
The second amendment would give the Federal Communications Commission the authority to prohibit excessive violence from 6-10 p.m. on prime-time TV.
TAKE ACTION
If your senator is listed below, urge him or her to support Sen. Brownback’s two decency amendments when the Senate Financial Services Subcommittee marks up the Financial Services Appropriations Bill on Thursday. If you are a CitizenLink subscriber, click on the link in the e-mail. Otherwise, click on this link.
Democratic subcommittee members:
Sen. Richard Durbin (Chairman, Ill.)
Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.)
Republican subcommittee members:
Sen. Sam Brownback (Ranking member, Kan.)
Sen. Christopher Bond (Mo.)
Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.)
Sen. Wayne Allard (Colo.)
[More at URL]
----- 37 -----
Washington Briefing: Engaging the Next Generation
Pro-family leaders will equip values voters to speak out.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000005009.cfm
The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit, to be held Oct. 19-21, is designed to help values voters have a voice in issues of importance to the family.
Sponsored by FRC Action and co-sponsored by Focus on the Family Action, American Values and the Alliance Defense Fund, the second annual summit will allow conferees the chance to attend a host of events, including speeches, breakout sessions and private luncheons.
Tony Perkins, president of FRC Action, talked with CitizenLink about the October conference.
[More at URL]
----- 38 -----
Fewer Americans View Children as Important to Happy Marriages
Most say a two-parent home is best for raising children.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000005015.cfm
Children were ranked next to last in a list of nine qualities for a happy marriage, in a survey from the Pew Research Center Americans.
Even sharing household chores ranked as more important. Only 41 percent of those polled said children are important to a successful marriage, which is down 24 percent since 1990.
Cary Funk, a Pew Research spokesman, said more than six in 10 said marriage was for personal happiness and fulfillment.
"So, we’re thinking about marriage in terms of the satisfaction of the couple and less as the purpose being to have children,” he told Family News in Focus. "People are thinking differently about marriage – especially about the role of children in marriage – than they did 15 or 20 years ago.”
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director, issue analysis at Focus on the Family Action, said the survey is an alarming indicator that our culture is too inwardly focused.
[More at URL]
----- 39 -----
Man Claims Bar Exam Question About Homosexual Rights is Unconstitutional
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005011.cfm
A Massachusetts man has filed a lawsuit claiming a question about same-sex "marriage" on the state's bar exam violated his rights, Fox News reported.
Stephen Dunne took the bar exam in May; his score was less than two points shy of the requirement to pass. Dunne said that's because he left one question unanswered concerning the rights of two married lesbians, their children and their property. He said he believed it legitimized same-sex "marriage" – which is contrary to his moral and religious beliefs.
It's a "disguised mechanism to screen applicants according to their political ideology (and) has the discriminatory impact of persecuting and oppressing sincere religious practices and beliefs," Dunne said in his lawsuit.
The bar exam, he said, is not the place for questions about same-sex marriage.
"There's a different forum for that contemporary issue to be discussed, and it's inappropriate to be on a professional licensing examination," Dunne said. "You don't see questions about partial-birth abortion or abortion on there."
[Editor's note: same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, and as such, part of Massachusetts law.]
----- 40 -----
Missouri Bans Planned Parenthood from Classrooms
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005013.cfm
Legislation signed today by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt means abortion providers will not be allowed to present information about sexual health in the state's public schools, The Associated Press reported.
The law also requires abortion clinics to become ambulatory surgical centers and makes the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Services Program permanent.
"All life is precious and needs to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect," Blunt said. "I will continue working with the Missouri General Assembly to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of all human life."
[More at URL]
----- 41 -----
Sunflower State to Review Abortion Laws, Make Recommendations
Focus on the Family
7-9-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005012.cfm
In the wake of legal controversy surrounding notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller, Kansas lawmakers have formed a committee that will review abortion laws and make recommendations for next year's session, The Associated Press reported.
Six members of the Kansas House and three members of the Senate will participate in the review.
Rep. Melvin Neufeld, speaker of the House, said it was the investigation into Tiller, initiated by former Attorney General Phill Kline and continued, to some extent, by Attorney General Paul Morrison that exposed a significant disagreement in the interpretation of the law.
[More at URL]
----- 42 -----
Obama: Clueless on Christian compassion
Posted: July 5, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Tom Minnery
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56512
At a recent church conference, Sen. Barack Obama gave a speech designed to stir the hearts of all of us who yearn for more authentic religion in the public square.
He was earnest, compassionate – and thoroughly misleading about the proper roles of religion and government. As the presidential campaign progresses, we will hear more such talk, and so what he had to say must be dissected carefully.
First of all, the speech was powerful in its call for moral influence on government. Had parts of it been delivered by my boss, Dr. James Dobson, Barry Lynn would have fired up his sound-bite machine and the media would have been apoplectic for days. But Sen. Obama is a political liberal, and so there was no controversy.
[More at URL]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 07:12 pm (UTC)Best. Typo. EVAR. :-D
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 07:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 08:13 pm (UTC)NAACP hosts debate with Democrats and they all show. Then they host for the Republicans, and get ONE:
http://info.detnews.com/pix/photogalleries/newsgallery/12072007_prescandidates/index12.htm
I hope this comes back to bite them hard. I would have thought Ron Paul would have been there. :-(
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 09:07 pm (UTC)I am, unfortunately, not surprised.
But yeah, only one. Man. I guess 2004 wasn't a fluke and 2000 was, and they've decided, "eh, screw the black vote" for yet another election cycle.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 10:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-15 09:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 09:47 pm (UTC)http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2007/07/mccain-unraveled-by-gay-sweaters.php
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 10:16 pm (UTC)mmm. republican family values.
Date: 2007-07-15 04:51 pm (UTC)http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-allen1307jul13,0,5667267.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout
and
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-mallen1207jul12,0,3596593.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout
State Rep. Bob Allen was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a park after offering to perform a sex act on an undercover officer in exchange for $20, police said.