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Religious Conservatives Slam 'Gay Agenda,' ACLU
CNSNews.com ^ | March 28 2006 | Randy Hall

Posted on 03/28/2006 9:15:39 AM PST by Reagan Man

(CNSNews.com) - Religious conservatives meeting in Washington, D.C., lashed out at homosexual advocacy groups and organizations catering to the political Left on Monday.

One participant criticized the "gay agenda," which he said calls for not only acceptance, but also "affirmation and celebration of this behavior as normal and even desirable."

The two-day conference, entitled "The War on Christians and the Values Voters in 2006," is sponsored by Vision America, an organization that describes its mission as "restoring Judeo-Christian values in America." Conference participants produced a "Values Voters' Contract with Congress," which includes key elements of the conservative, religious agenda.

Based on the Republican Party's 1994 "Contract with America," the "Values Voters' Contract" lists 10 aims, ranging from legislation to keep the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to laws guaranteeing greater religious freedoms in the workplace, prohibiting human cloning and embryo research, and guaranteeing a "right to life" to all children before birth.

Defending the family is a key goal of the so-called "values voters." The traditional or natural family is one of the targets of the political Left, said Peter LaBarbera, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute. He said he was proud to share the stage with "heroes in the fight for normalcy."

Peter Sprigg, the Family Research Council's vice president for policy, noted that the family "is not merely a social construct subject to infinite redefinition.

"We believe what makes a family is one man and one woman uniting in marriage for a lifetime and bearing children from that union," Sprigg stated. "We are against anything that threatens the traditional family or undermines that idea," including pre-marital sex, pornography, adultery and prostitution.

"And yes, we are also against the practice of homosexuality," he added.

Sprigg said Christians do not hate homosexuals. "On the contrary, we desire the best for them. However, we believe engaging in behavior that is unnatural, immoral and dangerous to the public health and their own health is not the best thing for people with same-sex attractions."

He noted that the FRC and similar organizations also oppose the "gay agenda," which "demands full acceptance of the practice of homosexuality -- morally, socially, legally, religiously, politically and financially.

"Indeed, it calls for not only acceptance, but affirmation and celebration of this behavior as normal and even desirable," Sprigg said.

The Rev. Lou Sheldon, chairman and founder of Traditional Values Coalition, stated that the "gay agenda" would come to a quick end if Americans rose up in numbers against it.

However, "Christians are nice guys, and nice guys finish last," he added.

LaBarbera agreed with Sheldon's analysis. "By simply saying we oppose the sin and not the sinner, we leave the playing field to homosexual activists and their euphemistic talking points, which are 'discrimination,' 'equality' and that poor euphemism, 'sexual orientation,'" he said.

Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, said that while everyone is a sinner, homosexual behavior can have especially dangerous results. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that in 2002, 49 percent of AIDS cases resulted from sexual relations between two males 13 to 24 years of age.

While most speakers said they prefer using the word "homosexual" instead of "gay," Sheldon said he usually sticks with the term's original meaning: "sodomite."

A number of organizations were criticized for supporting the "gay agenda," though one group in particular -- the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) -- was the subject of another panel decrying its "radical secularization" efforts.

Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund, noted that the ACLU has always had a subversive agenda and is the "number one religious censor in America" due to its skillful use of fear, intimidation and misinformation.

One method the ACLU uses to "chip away at the moral and religious foundation of America" is to silence the gospel by removing any references to God in the public square, he said.

However, Mat Staver, founder, president and general counsel of the Liberty Counsel, noted that since Samuel Alito replaced Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court, he's noticed a growing reluctance on the ACLU's part to attempt appeals to the highest court in the land.

"Maybe they realize the Supreme Court isn't their social engineering friend anymore," Staver said.

William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, said he has been battling the ACLU for decades, and is encouraged by the "great work" being done by such groups as the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Counsel.

Donohue said he has discovered why the ACLU files so many lawsuits to try and force communities to take down nativity scenes. "It's because there aren't three wise men and a virgin in the entire ACLU."

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which describes itself as the nation's "largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization," says its goal is to ensure that "all GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

"By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all," the group's website states.

The ACLU's Lesbian & Gay Rights Project brings "impact lawsuits" in state and federal courts throughout the country, according to the group's website.

"Our legal strategies are built on the idea that fighting for civil rights means not just persuading judges but ultimately changing the way people think," the group states.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1aclu; 2youarenotgay; 3becauseyouare; 4nothappy; 5youareconfused; gaystapo; homopromogaystapo; homosexualagenda; pflagisnotlove
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To: sasafras

"
Its obvious from your answers that you find it appalling that it could happen. But homos should be free to practice it. Dont you find it contradictory?"

No. Because I believe that sin and law are two different things.. For example I believe you sinned in some of your responses on this thread but I don't want you arrested.

Jesus said "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's."


101 posted on 03/28/2006 2:28:37 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: Antoninus

"1.) There should be no special approbation of one's sexual fettishes when it comes to contract law. If two sodomites want to form a partnership, they are perfectly able to do so right now. There need be no special acknowledgment in the law of a deviant sexual relationship or of the mental disorders of the individual parties as the rationale behind the contract.

2.) Homosexuals have exactly the same rights as everyone else right now. Any laws specific to homosexuals are by definition special rights.

3.) There is no "American principle" that says that who you are is predicated upon where you put your penis. That is a principle of the hedonist left which emerged from the sexual revolution of the 1960s."

1. Agreed

2. Agreed

3. No specific rights but its covered under general rights.


102 posted on 03/28/2006 2:30:42 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: cspackler

"So how is stopping two people of the same sex from being married any different from stopping a man and his adult daughter from being married? On what grounds would you allow one over the other?"

Because government sanctioned marriage is an endorsement and an incentive. We don't endorse most things just because they are allowed -it two different questions. I'm allowed to over eat, be lazy and not go to church but I don't want the government encouraging those things either.


103 posted on 03/28/2006 2:32:49 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB
Now that I'm back from work and well fed I'll do a better job responding.

"There are NO RIGHTS that everyone else has that homosexuals do not already have."

Yes but some people are trying to prevent the formation of legal households (not marriage but other legal arrangements) based on sexual orientation. That seems to be a violation of equal protection.

What do you mean, "hide who they are"? Are you talking about gay bath houses and gay pride parades here, or are you talking about "out" homosexuals being teachers and joining the military? Write in clear English, please, not slogans that are designed to heighten emotion but have no meaning.

Additionally, your comment "hide who they are" is a talking point of gay rights activists. It means that their sex acts ARE their identity. Sex acts are chosen and voluntary. If you mean their feelings, we all have zillions of feelings. Are people supposed to be grouped in identity brackets because of their "feelings"? Or because of their chosen sex acts? What about bestialophiles not hiding who they are? What about incestophiles not hiding who they are? What about pedophiles not hiding who they are? What about polyamoryphiles not hiding who they are?"


If you don't get the difference under the American system of adults who don't hurt anybody being different from people who abuse animals or children then I don't know how to convince you. it sounds like we have a fundamental difference of opinion over the power of government.

And while you are entitled to your opinion, I am convinced that opinions like that are hurting conservatism - you seek to extend the power of government over our personal lives and there are enough people who call themselves conservatives being very noisy about this so that all conservatives get labeled as seeking to have big government. It is very unfortunate.
104 posted on 03/28/2006 2:41:00 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: little jeremiah

Post #104 was supposed to be addressed to you. Sorry about that.


105 posted on 03/28/2006 2:42:12 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: little jeremiah

BTW, I always get criticism when I talk strategy without emotion - its a flaw of mine that comes up over and over.

If we could stick to keeping marriage as defined as one man and one woman while emphasizing equal rights but no extra rights we would be talking about something that is achievable.

I know people feel emotional about this and I really don't. I'm really only interested in strategy and fairness but I'll try in the future to be sensitive to those feelings.


106 posted on 03/28/2006 2:54:45 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: tutstar

However, "Christians are nice guys, and nice guys finish last," he added.



He obviously hasn't read the end of The Book bump


107 posted on 03/28/2006 3:20:55 PM PST by WKB (Take care not to make intellect our god; Albert Einstein)
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To: napscoordinator

I think you're being unduly pessimistic. We may be as little as one vote away on SCOTUS from being able to recriminalize homosexuality. If Stevens retires, which many think is likely, I think many things become possible. At the very least, it's a fight the feds might withdraw from which would open up opportunity in many a State.


108 posted on 03/28/2006 3:21:26 PM PST by Greg o the Navy (Democrats: traitors working in partnership with our enemies to destroy the United States of America)
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To: gondramB

You have not explained why you think that anyone should get special legal recognition because of their methods of sexual gratification.


109 posted on 03/28/2006 3:28:57 PM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: little jeremiah

"You have not explained why you think that anyone should get special legal recognition because of their methods of sexual gratification."

I don't think that at all. In fact I am specifically against all extra rights or legal recognition sexual orientation or practices.


110 posted on 03/28/2006 3:36:16 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB

You are inconsistent in your statements. One one hand you say "I am specifically against all extra rights or legal recognition sexual orientation or practices" and yet OTOH you say:

"Yes but some people are trying to prevent the formation of legal households (not marriage but other legal arrangements) based on sexual orientation. That seems to be a violation of equal protection."

You are disagreeing with yourself. You can't stand on both sides of this issue. Either a person has special recognition because of his/her sexual practices, or he doesn't. I am very clear - no special or different rights or recognition because of varied sexual practices of self-proclaimed "identity". You are seemingly trying to straddle the fence on this one.

Civil unions, domestic partnerships, and so on are just marriage by a different name, and homosexual activists aren't satisfied with these appeasements. Why not? Because they admit they want to re-arrange society and change the very meaning of family. How do I know this? Years of reading and study. I have a list of quotes from homosexual leaders saying this unashamedly. I'll look for it and put it up on this thread later.

And given the fact that there are who knows how many former homosexuals, and more and more people are finally understanding that homosexuality can be treated in many cases, that people don't have to be "gay", the entire foundation for any special recognition of any immutable "gay identity" is gone.


111 posted on 03/28/2006 3:47:37 PM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: gondramB
You stated: And while you are entitled to your opinion, I am convinced that opinions like that are hurting conservatism - you seek to extend the power of government over our personal lives and there are enough people who call themselves conservatives being very noisy about this so that all conservatives get labeled as seeking to have big government. It is very unfortunate.

When I read the above I find it very hard to think that you really mean this. Are you unaware of the many, many laws that have been implemented to promote "gay rights"? Are you aware that that every effort to promote legal recognition of homosexuality as something which needs protection or rights means MORE AND MORE LAWS?

Law upon law upon law. Government control increases with the increase of special rights for homosexuals. Rights for cross dressers in schools and jobs. Laws prohibiting homeowners from not renting to homosexuals, transvestites and so on. Laws mandating that schools teach "gay is good" sex ed and including "gay is good" cirricula in every aspect of school. Laws mandating that foster and adoptive parents attend "senstivity training". Laws mandating that government employees attend such training (which is nothing but homosexual indoctrination). Laws prohibiting any speech which might "offend" homosexuals.

The claim that conservatives who oppose special rights for homosexuals want big government is a flagrant lie. It's the proponents of "gay rights" who want to use big government (and specifically the judiciary) to shove it down our throats.

112 posted on 03/28/2006 3:56:51 PM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: little jeremiah

"You are inconsistent in your statements. One one hand you say "I am specifically against all extra rights or legal recognition sexual orientation or practices" and yet OTOH you say:

"Yes but some people are trying to prevent the formation of legal households (not marriage but other legal arrangements) based on sexual orientation. That seems to be a violation of equal protection."

You are disagreeing with yourself. You can't stand on both sides of this issue. "

I'm really not disagreeing with myself. Adults have the right to form whatever households they want and to enter into voluntary contracts with each other.

Everbody - its not based on sexual orientation.


113 posted on 03/28/2006 4:00:01 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB
In the sense of this conversation, "special" and "extra" are practically synonymous I don't care for the term "special" any more because of it's over-use. It is almost as grating as "deluxe" to me.... Extra (as in more than I or any other "average" citizen has) rights are never "right".
114 posted on 03/28/2006 4:11:47 PM PST by TheBattman (Islam (and liberalism)- the cult of Satan and a Cancer on Society)
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To: little jeremiah
You said"Are you unaware of the many, many laws that have been implemented to promote "gay rights"? "

I oppose all those example that involve special rights for homosexuals. For example I oppose the recent change here in Atlanta that gave survivor rights to domestic partners but only for gay couples.

For that matter, I oppose special rights based on race or sex.

You mentioned cross dressers. I think the dress code should be the same for all students.

You mentioned "Laws mandating that schools teach "gay is good" sex ed." I would ask why are we teaching sex ed at all in public school? Public school is an involuntary rounding up of children. The mandate to do that is very narrow - for education to help the economy only.

You mentioned "Laws prohibiting any speech which might "offend" homosexuals"." I oppose all hate speech and hate crime legislation - the same laws should apply to everyone.


You said "The claim that conservatives who oppose special rights for homosexuals want big government is a flagrant lie."

That would be wrong, if I had said it. What I meant (and maybe I mis-spoke) was that laws regulating private behavior between consenting adults are big government beyond any power given to the government by the constitution.
115 posted on 03/28/2006 4:13:18 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB

Homosexuals (and everyone else) already have the ability to form any kind of legal contracts they want. Anyone can name anyone as their legal heirs, arrange hospital visitation, pre-arrange power of attorney, co-own anything they want.

You know this already, and I don't trust you. Homosexuals have every single freaking right that I do.


116 posted on 03/28/2006 4:13:36 PM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: TheBattman

"In the sense of this conversation, "special" and "extra" are practically synonymous I don't care for the term "special" any more because of it's over-use. It is almost as grating as "deluxe" to me.... Extra (as in more than I or any other "average" citizen has) rights are never "right""

That makes perfect sense. Similarly, I don't use the term "sexual preference" because of the way it sounds.. it makes it sound too much like what you are in the mood for as opposed a fundamental orientation.


117 posted on 03/28/2006 4:15:37 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: gondramB

You're kidding, right?

Lawrence vs Texas took care of sodomy laws. You're accusing conservatives like me of wanting big government but you can't provide one scrap of evidence supporting your position.

It's those who want legal recognition and protection for those who choose to practice same sex sodomy who want big government.

ANd the reason for sodomy laws was to keep it private. Now it's on streets in parades, in school displays, sex ed, ads, and so on. I don't mean necessarily being performed (although it is more and more), but it is now being promoted more and more especially to kids as normal and natural. After all, it's not against the law any more. In Massachusetts as soon as "gay marriage" became the law of the land due to two judges saying it was, the education department of MASS immediately mandated that the entire public school system now had to adopt standards equating homosexual relationships equal to marriage in every grade.

How's that for government intervention?


118 posted on 03/28/2006 4:20:19 PM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: Reagan Man
..."gay agenda," which "demands full acceptance of the practice of homosexuality -- morally, socially, legally, religiously, politically and financially.

Haven't read all the posts yet, but this is, by far, the best definition I've seen for "gay agenda."

119 posted on 03/28/2006 6:08:40 PM PST by fwdude (If at first you don't succeed .......... form a committee and hire a consultant.)
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To: fwdude
That about sums it up.

Frankly, I liked it better when the homo's stayed in the closet and kept their sexual orientation to themselves.

120 posted on 03/28/2006 6:13:49 PM PST by Reagan Man (Secure our borders;punish employers who hire illegals;stop all welfare to illegals)
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