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Rick Perry's Marriage Misstep
Townhall.com ^ | April 25, 2015 | Michael Brown

Posted on 04/25/2015 5:55:01 AM PDT by Kaslin

It is now the “gotcha” question being asked to every Republican presidential candidate: Would you attend a same-sex ‘wedding’ ceremony?”

Rick Santorum said no, since it would be a violation of his faith.

Marco Rubio said yes, even though he disagrees with it as a Catholic, just as he disagrees with divorce and remarriage, but he would attend rather than hurt someone he loves.

Scott Walker said he had previously attended a same-sex “wedding” reception but stated that marriage was the union of a man and a woman.

Ted Cruz wouldn’t answer, but apparently not because of ambiguity on his position, since he has called for pastors to preach about the meaning of marriage this Sunday. Instead, he refused to let the media determine his talking points.

Rick Perry, when asked the question by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt said he “probably would” attend, but, similar to Ted Cruz, refused to get off his talking points, stating that the real issues we needed to focus on were the economy and national defense.

Of course, as valid as this question is, it can be a no-win question, one that caricatures the candidate in the eyes of potential voters (as either a hater or a compromiser) and one that can hardly be put forward as a main question in determining whether a candidate is ready to be president of the United States.

And so I can appreciate what Senator Cruz and Governor Perry did when asked the question, refusing to be backed into a corner, be it by conservative or liberal media, and also emphasizing what they felt was most important. After all, isn’t that what politicians consistently do?

I’m also not minimizing the importance of strengthening our economy and having a robust national defense, especially in light of the many challenges that exist around the globe today.

It’s the end of Governor Perry’s answer that concerns me, and I say this with respect for him as a committed, God-honoring Christian. His exact words were: “I mean, to me there’s two big issues out here in front of us. It’s the economy and it’s national defense, and if you’re not really talking about those two on a regular basis and coming up with solutions on how to get this country back working, how to get this debt under control, and how to put America back into a position of being respected by our allies and being an influence in the world, then you’re spending some time that, frankly, doesn’t need to be spent on some issues that are secondary or tertiary to the future of this country.”

Again, I understand the point Governor Perry was making, but does he really believe that the very definition of marriage is only “secondary or tertiary to the future of this country”?

Does he believe that the larger issues that flow out of the potential redefinition of marriage, which include the meaning and structure of the American family, the home environment in which hundreds of thousands of children will be raised, and the real threat posed to our freedoms of speech, religion, and conscience by homosexual activism, are merely “secondary or tertiary to the future of this country”?

Perhaps preserving (really, rebuilding) the institution of marriage is of paramount importance to the future of our country?

As a fellow-believer in Jesus and a fellow-moral conservative, I appeal to you, Governor Perry, not to capitulate to what is politically correct in our culture today (certainly, that is not how you governed Texas, is it?) and not to sidestep fundamental issues of critical importance to our national wellbeing.

By all means, talk about the economy and national defense, and don’t major on the minor issue of whether you’d attend a same-sex “wedding” ceremony.

But please don’t downplay the importance of the issue of redefining marriage.

There are few things more important to the nation than standing for marriage and family as God intended them to be.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: perry
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To: Reno89519

Perry may surprise us. He had the guts to put the NG on the border.


21 posted on 04/25/2015 7:10:51 AM PDT by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: Patton@Bastogne

Perhaps what they should all say is: “The only valid interest the government should have in marriage, is the procreation and proper raising of children.”.


22 posted on 04/25/2015 7:21:35 AM PDT by babygene
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To: Kaslin

I would have answered: Well if my daughter wanted to marry her brother or sister, I would definitely not attend the “wedding”


23 posted on 04/25/2015 7:28:21 AM PDT by bubman
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To: Patton@Bastogne

Can we expect the lamestreams to ask if they would sell nuclear technology to Iran or China?


24 posted on 04/25/2015 7:39:31 AM PDT by Organic Panic
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To: Lumper20

It goes along with the doctrine of separation, something a lot of folks don’t understand, and too many Christians no longer practice.


25 posted on 04/25/2015 7:42:56 AM PDT by knarf
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To: Jim Noble
"The "very definition of marriage" was changed between 1969-1973 to a peculiar institution which is not Godly, not biblical, and which has never existed anywhere on the earth before now."

An excellent point and thought process I am attempting to incorporate into my school board language regarding the GSA (gay/straight allince) club ...

Just as we consider illegals interlopers that have no desire to assimulate and worse, desire to force THEIR culture on US, so too the gay community are interlopers, relatively new to the culture (relatively, I said), and in no way want to assimulate to an established, well operating culture ... but rather upset and re-arrange it for their own use

As I remember history ... God rained down fire and brimstone to rectify that situation

26 posted on 04/25/2015 7:49:21 AM PDT by knarf
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To: knarf

“However, even amongst those who do practice this, I am finding another exception being added. The exception is that this does not apply to family members.”

Thanks for posting this. I believe the Bible, even though it is sometimes hard to reconcile what one must do to follow. I’ve got family members who are supporting their children and siblings in wrongdoing in the belief that they are supposed to. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you have to become a partaker in their wrongdoing. Even aside from religious beliefs; it helps no one except to enable the wrongdoer to continue his destructive behavior. Satan know exactly how to multiply his take, and his methods are hard to resist.


27 posted on 04/25/2015 7:57:06 AM PDT by Aleya2Fairlie (.)
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To: Kaslin; All

We can ALL say, well I “woulda, shoulda, coulda answered that” gotcha question one way or the other, but, without standing where he was and him wanting to be as diplomatic as possible AND there not being a right answer, I give him a pass on this.

I work for a very popular Texas jewelry company. We have gays and lesbians come in looking for wedding rings. I could make a scene and refuse to help them, but I bite my tongue and sell them the rings. I am shuddering inside, but a public business or venue isn’t the place to state my VERY strong opposition to this sinful lifestyle.

So...are the critics of a good man like Perry going to condemn me, too? Well, so be it. I am a supporter of Cruz, but Perry was a damn GOOD governor, and he answered the best way he could on the fly and without having much of a chance of there being a right answer.

My opinion.......


28 posted on 04/25/2015 8:09:11 AM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)
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To: Lumper20
.


Names, dates, locations, primary persons of interest ?

If indeed these events happened, what were the specific "public remarks" made by Ted Cruz at those events.



If your allegations are factual, they are "indeed" valuable discussion topics for Conservatives.

You are encouraged to take a week or so to compile the (above) details, and not only post them at Free Republic ...

but actually start a "topic thread", whose title might be ...

Ted Cruz 2016 -- Secret LGBT Agenda Endorsement & Donations -- ACME Space Hotel meeting (2008-XX-XX)



.
29 posted on 04/25/2015 8:17:00 AM PDT by Patton@Bastogne
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To: LUV W

and a good one at that


30 posted on 04/25/2015 8:17:55 AM PDT by knarf
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To: Reno89519
.


Why in the world is anyone wasting time Perry and Santorum?! They have about as much chance of getting the 2016 nomination as I do, which is nil.


The liberal news media is actually "promoting" Perry, Santorum, Huckabee when they're "attacked" in this context on the gay (sodomite) marriage issue.

How ?

The news media knows that just getting these "no-where" GOP candidates in the news actually benefits their political campaigns ...

kinda like Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" for Hillary in 2008 ...



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31 posted on 04/25/2015 8:21:47 AM PDT by Patton@Bastogne
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To: Lumper20
Do you associate with adulterers or other Christian sinners?

Do you confess YOUR own sins before men?...or just the sins of other people?

32 posted on 04/25/2015 8:29:43 AM PDT by lonestar (It takes a village of idiots to elect a village idiot.)
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To: Patton@Bastogne

Oh, let’s make a huge legal case and have an in depth discussion? The INFO about the two queer types is readily available on this site plus a quick search will reveal the allegation that he took 250K from those who promote gay marriage in 2008.


33 posted on 04/25/2015 8:43:30 AM PDT by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: lonestar

No to the first and to the second I am not catholic. My wife is.


34 posted on 04/25/2015 8:45:48 AM PDT by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: Kaslin
His exact words were: “I mean, to me there’s two big issues out here in front of us. It’s the economy and it’s national defense, and if you’re not really talking about those two on a regular basis and coming up with solutions on how to get this country back working ...

This is what Howard Baker was saying in 1980.

35 posted on 04/25/2015 8:50:30 AM PDT by Theodore R. (Liberals keep winning; so the American people must now be all-liberal all the time.)
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To: Patton@Bastogne

Here is a Texas site that mentions specific contributions to Cruz. Perhaps those from Texas can correct the errors if they are?

http://www.texasmonthly.com/burka-blog/ted-cruzs-gay-marriage-money


36 posted on 04/25/2015 8:58:53 AM PDT by Lumper20 ( clown in Chief has own Gov employees Gestapo)
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To: Kaslin
Again, I understand the point Governor Perry was making, but does he really believe that the very definition of marriage is only “secondary or tertiary to the future of this country”?

Here's a way to look at it: The issue is "secondary or tertiary" in the sense that marriage redefinition is a fad, that of course marriage is the union of a man and a woman. It's as obvious as the color of the sky, legislation notwithstanding. Why, therefore, debate something the truth of which is so very obvious to all?

That may be Perry's position. I don't agree with it as social policy determines the character of the people in charge of setting it (ergo, those who elect our magistrates), and without exemplary character in the hearts of a people there can be no exceptional society. But I think I understand it.

37 posted on 04/25/2015 10:23:12 AM PDT by Lexinom
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To: Mercat

Exactly! These are not legitimate questions, they are traps designed to create a firestorm of negative publicity. Candidates should refuse to answer them and ask the interviewer what his purpose is in asking it? If only our politicians were as wise as Jesus when He was asked about whether one should pay taxes. Turn the question around on the person asking. Let him stew over something.

If I were a asked about homosexual issues, I would say I am a Christian and invite the interviewer to read the Bible. If he asked if I thought homosexuals (or others) are going to hell, I would tell them that’s not my department. Only God knows a person’s heart.


38 posted on 04/25/2015 10:25:49 AM PDT by Pining_4_TX (All those who were appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48)
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To: lonestar
Here's the thing, though. Joshua's spies stayed with a prostitute in Jericho, Rahab... Yes, God really is sovereign and really can work through sinners like us, through non-Christians, through thespianic moguls in New York. He is God, after all.

My prayer is that He means for our repentance as a nation in the spirit of 2 Chr. 7:14. We are all guilty, not just "them". We all need to be praying without ceasing for ourselves and those around us....

39 posted on 04/25/2015 10:28:40 AM PDT by Lexinom
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To: Lumper20

Perry may surprise us. He had the guts to put the NG on the border.


To do nothing. They cannot detain illegal aliens.

Perry is a cheap labor importer, fully owned by The Cheap Labor Express.


40 posted on 04/25/2015 11:00:51 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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