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Black ministers join drive against same-sex marriage
http://www.chicagotribune.com ^ | Published May 27, 2004 | Geneive Abdo

Posted on 05/27/2004 7:42:54 PM PDT by miltonim

With a collective cry of "hallelujah," more than two dozen African-American clerics on Wednesday joined a growing national chorus of religious leaders in black churches who oppose same-sex marriage and may withdraw their support for politicians who favor it.

Meeting at the Sweet Holy Spirit Gospel Baptist Church on the South Side, leaders from more than 28 denominations vowed to collect 50,000 signatures in the city's black churches and warned city and state politicians that they should not count on the churches' historical support unless they oppose same-sex unions.

Although black churches' political activity has generally centered on economic concerns rather than such social issues as gay rights and abortion, leaders say that may be changing.

...

African-Americans might now think twice about blindly voting for Democratic candidates, said Bishop Larry Trotter ...

...

"The people we put in office are going to have to represent the church or cease coming to the church for support when it is election time."

...

Rev. Jesse Jackson, speaking at Harvard University to mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Brown vs. Board of Education desegregation case, called the comparison of the two movements "a stretch" because "gays were never called three-fifths human in the Constitution."

...

"One of the misnomers in this fight against same-sex marriage is ... the premise that [gays] are fighting based on the principles of the civil rights movement. All of us agree that prejudice and racism [are] immoral, and most Americans agree that gay lifestyle is immoral."

...

...

Bush has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: africanamericans; blackchurch; blackministers; drive; homosexualagenda; homosexuals; marriage; prisoners; protectmarriage; samesex; samesexmarriage

1 posted on 05/27/2004 7:42:54 PM PDT by miltonim
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To: miltonim
Rev. Jesse Jackson, speaking at Harvard University to mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Brown vs. Board of Education desegregation case, called the comparison of the two movements "a stretch" because "gays were never called three-fifths human in the Constitution."
Note to self: question everything you thought you knew to be true.
2 posted on 05/27/2004 7:48:20 PM PDT by Asclepius (protectionists would outsource our dignity and prosperity in return for illusory job security)
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To: Asclepius

Jesse uses that as a straddle. Don't get fooled. He's a committed communist, and supports gay marriage - he just distances himself rhetorically from it.


3 posted on 05/27/2004 7:56:18 PM PDT by NutCrackerBoy
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To: miltonim
Well, well. Hmm. This is interesting.

This could be one of the issues that swings a few % points Bush's way.

Bush has been adamently against gay marriage; John Kerry has openly supported it.

Bush is steadfast, spreads the word, and make a constitutional amendment against gay marriage an issue in the campaign.

Kerry will have two choices: 1) Flip-flop and be (sort of) against gay marriage or 2) Stays in steadfast support of gay marriage.

With Kerry's proven propensity for flip-flopping, #1 is certainly likely. However, #2 is possible, but (perhaps?) he may run the risk of losing black voters.

I have long held (as many FREEPERs do) that the demoSCUM party have much (MUCH) less in common with the African-American community than do Republicans. Unfortunately, most African-Americans have been brainwashed with the constant pandering from the left. Bush has the potential to have an unbelievable bond with the African-American community, through his strong religious convictions.

And, I don't want to suggest that he use his faith, but part of evaluating a candidate is his/her core beliefs and I think Bush has more in common in that realm.

This could really be a wedge issue.

4 posted on 05/27/2004 7:59:42 PM PDT by mattdono (Big Arnie: "Crush the democrats, drive them before you, and hear the lamentations of the scumbags.")
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To: miltonim

Let me get this straight. They've saddled up with the democrats in spite of abortion and in spite of Clinton's adultery but all of a sudden they support God's law when it comes to homosexual marriage?


5 posted on 05/27/2004 8:03:38 PM PDT by Bonaparte
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To: Bonaparte
. . . but all of a sudden they support God's law when it comes to homosexual marriage?

"Enough is enough," perhaps?

6 posted on 05/27/2004 8:06:43 PM PDT by RansomOttawa
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To: mattdono
Kerry has already been flip flopping on homo "marriage."
7 posted on 05/27/2004 8:06:55 PM PDT by Bonaparte
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To: RansomOttawa
More like abortion and adultery are "enough," but homo marriage is "too much."

I'd be interested in hearing them explain why they can't speak up for the unborn or for the sanctity of marriage when adultery's being committed in front of the nation, but they can speak up for this. They've been MIA on these issues for a long time.

8 posted on 05/27/2004 8:10:48 PM PDT by Bonaparte
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To: mattdono

Some people will not be able to bring themselves to vote for President Bush. Yet, they might stay home on election night.


9 posted on 05/27/2004 8:10:59 PM PDT by miltonim (Fight those who do not believe in Allah. - Koran, Surah IX: 29)
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To: little jeremiah
Ping


What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda


Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)


Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues"

10 posted on 05/27/2004 8:27:35 PM PDT by EdReform (Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
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To: *Homosexual Agenda; EdReform; scripter; GrandMoM; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; ...

Homosexual Agenda Ping and a Big Woo Hoo!!! Heheheh!

Gotta love it when you see a bunch of people WAKING UP IN THE MORNING!

(Jumping up and down, throwing hat into the air!)

Even Ol' Jesse Jackson has to make a stand on this one. He can't sing the liberal tune on this one since he will offend too many black people.

Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.


11 posted on 05/27/2004 8:34:07 PM PDT by little jeremiah ("Gay Marriage" - a Weapon of Mass. Destruction!)
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To: Bonaparte

Because those things can always be swept under the rug. Women speak in reasonably hushed tones about abortion. People committing adultery tend to skulk around. Well the common folk at least. Same sex marriage is tooooooo in your face.

It's an interesting point that this is where the ministers draw the line. OTOH, they've openly admitted that they are for sale.


12 posted on 05/27/2004 8:41:31 PM PDT by Jaded
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To: little jeremiah

It is quite surprising. They have been silent about so much.


13 posted on 05/27/2004 8:41:57 PM PDT by TOUGH STOUGH
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To: TOUGH STOUGH

One thing is that some black people, at least from my personal persective, take religion VERY seriously. Add that to seeing so many black communities practically ruined due to children born out of wedlock - basically communities of destroyed families - that probably some are seeing "gay" marriage as the final blow to families.


14 posted on 05/27/2004 9:08:30 PM PDT by little jeremiah ("Gay Marriage" - a Weapon of Mass. Destruction!)
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To: miltonim

Encouraging!

Wiull they also vote Republican?


15 posted on 05/27/2004 9:35:56 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

Well, it's still doubtful they will be able to bring themselves to vote GOP. But, blacks are beginning to see that the Dim-o-rats have just taken them for granted for decades, just like the Union rank-and-file did in the late 70's and went for Reagan in l980.

What the Bush/Cheney camp really needs to do is flush Kerry out on Gay Marriage AND Reparations for descendants of slavery. RE: Reparations: If Kerry is for it, he alienates millions of Independents AND Dems. If he is against it, many blacks will either stay home or possible vote for the GOP.


16 posted on 05/27/2004 9:42:56 PM PDT by no dems (Does the Bush/Cheney camp monitor the Freep website?)
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To: Jaded

Excellent observation, Jaded. Marriage is NOT a private issue. It is very public, and that is why people are uncomfortable about same-sex marriage.


17 posted on 05/27/2004 10:27:59 PM PDT by Clock King
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To: Jaded
"Same sex marriage is tooooooo in your face."

Especially when they find themselves pressured to solemnize these unions before their congregations and then counsel them through their "marital problems" and assist them in their efforts to adopt. And of course it's only a matter of time before one of them is going to want to be a deacon.

Funny how things come home to roost, isn't it? Having looked the other way on abortion, they can't very well claim to oppose homosexual "marriage" because it's contrary to God's will, now can they? That would put them in a fairly untenable position. No, they can now only say they oppose it because it will upset their personal apple cart.

18 posted on 05/28/2004 12:41:01 AM PDT by Bonaparte
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To: Bonaparte; RansomOttawa; Jaded; miltonim

As to the whole Clinton's adultery thing and why it mattered nothing to blacks, black people have extremely low expectations of white authority figures or authority figures in general. To blacks, being shocked that a powerful man will cheat on his wife is downright simple minded.

The point about gay marriage being in your face is a correct one. Black social life is centered around the church in a very Southern way. Having to sit for some sodomites kissing up on each other in your own church is revolting. And there is no creature on this planet with more loathing for sodomites than a black male.

What is fascinating is the way black politicians unanimously support sodomites in direct contravention of the will of their communities. For instance, Derreck Obama, who is running for senator from Illinois, supports gay marriage. I think this will cost him the election.


19 posted on 06/11/2004 2:30:01 PM PDT by Sam the Sham
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