Argument 5: Homosexuality is a Coice/Immoral

The reasoning of the rightist argument that homosexuals should have unequal protection under the law finds refuge in the notion that homosexuality is somehow a choice – the same way that stealing or lying is a choice. They are each immoral, and we shouldn’t reward immoral behavior. So gays should not be extended the right to marry (or the same protections under the law generally).

What if homosexuality is a choice? Isn’t religion also a choice? As an American, I have inherited the right to define my own humanity. A Christian rightist can define their humanity by choosing not to be gay. But they make that choice for religious reasons. Why should my rights be restricted for making a different choice? Would Christian rightists legislate restricting the rights of Jews, Muslims, or Scientologists? No such legislation would be allowed under the First Amendment.

I contend that the First Amendment binds the government to respect and protect our religious choices. As sexual preference can be a religious choice, the government must under the first amendment respect and protect the sexual preference we choose.

Read the rest at A Time To Be Gay!

Jewish Reconstructionist Come OUT Against Prop 8

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College deplore the passage of Proposition 8 in California and similar discriminatory initiatives recently passed in Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas. We are saddened and deeply disturbed by the denial of fundamental human rights—to marry, to adopt and care for foster children—to thousands of gay and lesbian citizens across the United States. We are particularly dismayed by the passage of initiatives that have reversed previously recognized equality for same-sex unions.

Beginning in 1993, in a series of resolutions, the Reconstructionist movement has affirmed the holiness of commitments made by same-sex couples. Religious recognition of marriages does not confer the legal and civil rights and responsibilities bestowed by the state upon married couples. We recognize the right of every religious denomination to affirm its own definition of, and limitations upon, the sacred ritual of marriage. No member of the clergy should be compelled to sanctify any union that is contrary to his or her understanding of sacred text and tradition. But neither should any gay or lesbian citizen of the United States be denied the legal rights confirmed by civil marriage.

We call upon leaders of other faith communities who share the commitment to civic equality and to the separation of church and state in the realm of marriage to speak out against bans on same-sex marriage and discrimination against GLBT people in the realm of adoption and foster care. We look forward to the day when all states will grant equal access to the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage.

Do Mormons Deserve Equal Protection Under the Law?

I found this article at the Huffingtonpost.com,  We better wake up people!  With Sarah Palin openly supporting a federal ban on Gay Marriage……SOS!

I am more than troubled, however, by the tumult Proposition 8 — the proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment here in California — has wrought. Those speaking in the name of their God and prophets, led principally by out-of-state Mormons and joined by evangelical Christians, have made the removal of my rights a holy war for the new century. (Orthodox Jews so far seem to be staying out of the fray, certainly not leading the effort with money or public protests.)

We take for granted that this nation was founded to allow for equality and acceptance of religious observation and belief, provided the government stays out of religion and religion stays out of government. Jews gained from that “tolerance” as much as anyone. And by the way, so did Mormons, who were chased across the country by Christians who found their latter-day teachings heretical, cultish and worthy of death.

Why are Mormons, some fundamentalist Christians and apparently the Roman Catholic Church arrayed to attack my rights? How do I in any way undermine any of the beliefs or institutions of those religions? I feel laid bare that people I do not know can vote secretly to remove my rights. This is, unfortunately, reminiscent of Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws that led to Kristallnacht, that horrible event 70 years ago next month that resulted in the burning of over 200 synagogues and countless other Jewish-owned establishments. The Nazis stripped rights from Jews piecemeal until finally Jews lost the right to eat and then to live.

Read more by clicking here.

Palin’s Church OUTED on CNN and YouTube

I just watched a special on CNN special investigative report that showed that Sarah Palin, spent two years in a Pentecostal church, Wasilla Assembly of God, and the past 6 years attending Wasilla Bible Church, where it was stated during the Kery - Bush election in 2004 that if you voted for Kerry, you would go to hell. This is also the same church, while during a service, that Sarah Palin was in attendance, a speaker from “Jews for Jesus” stated there would not be rest in Israel until they believed in Jesus. The speaker even commented that catastrophes endured had been a result in the non-acceptance of Jesus.

The report also commented on how Palin favors teaching creationism over evolution, believes her church can convert gays to heterosexuals, is against any gay rights including same-sex partner benefits, and stands against abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest.

Also make sure you check out this post on bentalaska.com.

Check this out.

And this check out this mix of religion and politics.