Posted on 02/22/2003 6:47:36 AM PST by JohnHuang2
The challenge for parents who don't home school, including my wife and I, is to teach both why we believe in tolerance and why a homosexual life should be avoided.
Sodomy was considered a heinous crime under common law. 5 Blackstone's writings are widely recognized as the best embodiment of English common law. His Commentaries were the standard legal textbook in the early days of our nation, and that work was frequently cited by early American courts. In this work, Blackstone discussed the "infamous crime against nature" and referenced the royal edicts prescribing its punishment 6. Blackstone described the offense itself as one of "deeper malignity" than rape, a heinous act "the very mention of which is a disgrace to human nature," and "a crime not fit to be named." 4 W. Blackstone, Commentaries *215. The common law of England, including its prohibition of sodomy, provided the basis for the original state sodomy laws.
In early America, the Bible served as the source for many criminal laws. Early colonial statutes often quoted the Biblical passages of Leviticus 18: 22 (" Thou shalt not lie with mankind as he lieth with womankind; it is an abomination.") and 20: 13 when establishing prohibitions against sodomy. 7 States not using the Leviticus language referred to prohibited conduct as the "crime against nature." The phrase "crime against nature," which appears in Blackstone's Commentaries and numerous state statutes, harkens back to the Apostle Paul's condemnation in Romans 1: 26-27 of those who "change the natural use into that which is against nature," 8 as other amici have noted. Historians Brief at 5. However, their brief incorrectly concludes that Paul did not consider the phrase to apply to same-sex behavior. Id.
Contrary to the assertion in the Historians Brief at 5, Paul's lack of reference to Sodom does not negate his condemnation of what we now term sodomy. 9 The Leviticus prohibition against sodomy made no reference to the destruction of the city of Sodom, but the command was clear nevertheless. Those who drafted early state and colonial laws drew on this Biblical background as the best means to express what was otherwise deemed unspeakable. 10 The Historians Brief at 4, argues that states are "strikingly inconsistent in their definition of the acts encompassed by the term [sodomy]." The Historians Brief at 5. It then proceeds to discuss the variety of definitions for "unnatural acts" presented in "Latin theology, canon law, and confessional practice." Although the scope of prohibited "unnatural acts" may have varied from generation to generation, until very recent times, same-sex sodomy has been included in virtually every state's list of prohibited sexual acts. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, is one of the Founders who saw no inconsistency between the principles of individual liberty and the state prohibition of sodomy. In a letter to Edmund Pendleton dated August 26, 1776, Jefferson discussed his opinions on proper penalties for criminal activity. At the time of the Revolution, most states punished sodomy by death. 11 According to Jefferson, however,
Punishments I know are necessary, & I would provide them, strict & inflexible, but proportioned to the crime. Death might be inflicted for murder & perhaps for treason if you would take out of the description of treason all crimes which are not such in their nature. Rape, buggery &c— punish by castration. 12
Although Jefferson recommended a different punishment, he still believed that sodomy was a criminal offense.
As commander of the Continental Army in 1778, George Washington dishonorably discharged Lieutenant Enslin for attempting to commit sodomy with another soldier, John Monhort. In his military order, Washington stated his deep disdain for the crime of sodomy:
His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with abhorrence and detestation of such infamous crimes orders Lieut. Enslin to be drummed out of camp tomorrow morning by all the drummers and fifers in the Army never to return. 13
James Wilson, both a signer of the Declaration and the Constitution and one of the original Justices of this Court, wrote a commentary on American law. James Wilson, 2 The Works of James Wilson (1967) (from lectures given in 1790 and 1791). When the subject turned to sodomy, Wilson refused even to discuss the details of the act: "The crime not to be named [sodomy], I pass in a total silence." Id. at 656.
These examples from some of early America's key statesmen demonstrate the cultural atmosphere at the time of our nation's founding. It is clear that none of them ever envisioned a day when the federal Constitution would be used as a tool to overturn the decisions of elected state representatives concerning the punishment of sodomy.
....and here is what Gay Davis says in his 2002 Gay Pride speech
Gay Pride Celebration Speeches "For speaking today, the Gay lobby has given me a stack of cash this wide..." I am pleasedd to welcome all who have gathered throughout Californa for this year's Gay Pride Celebrations. I commend the organizers of this year's events for their hard work and ongoing support of California's diverse communities.
The tragedy of September 11 has reminded us of the price of intolerance and the true blessings of freedom. The victims and heroes of America's tragedy were brothers and sisters of every race, creed, religion and sexual orientation. They embodied the American ideals: liberty, humanity, unity and diversity.
Gay Pride events are a celebration of those American ideals. They are an inspiring symbol of California's commitment to defend the cause of freedom and justice. As we vigorously renew our dedication to a country that is a beacon of tolerance, it is our obligation to ensure that every citizen enjoys full and equal protection under the law, regardless of who they are, where they live or who they love.
Our pledge to respect the basic human dignity of every Californian would be impossible without the dynamic and determined effort of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Through principled political leadership, and effective grassroots activism, California has established an enviable human rights record:
We banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing and employment.
We enacted legislation to protect our schoochildren from discrimination and harassment.
We ended the statewide ban on adoption by unmarried couples.
We appointed more lesbians and gay men than any administration in California's history.
We enacted the nation's first statewide domestic partners registry in 1999.
And, in 2001 we were victorious in our battle to expand the rights, responsibilities and benefits of domestic partners. When I signed AB25, we created the strongest domestic partnership law in the nation, second only to Vermont.
This landmark legislation strengthens families, promotes responsibilitiy, and marks a meaningful advance for the gay and lesbian community in California. I extend my thanks to all the organizations that have worked so tirelessly to register thousands of domestic partners since the law was enacted. We can all take pride in our collective accomplishments in the fight to defend freedom and create opportunity for all Californians.
On behalf of the people of the Great State of California, I extend my best wishes to this year's Pride celebrations, honoring the great diversity of our nation, and our freedom to pursue happiness and fulfillment.
>>>
We appointed more lesbians and gay men than any administration in California's history.<<<You can expect much more of this:
The Lords of Bakersfield (Homosexuality and Corruption)
Powerful gay men. Vulnerable teen-age boys. Murder. For years, some prominent local men who led secret lives were rumored to be protected. Whispers surrounding another important man's death prompt the question: Is there really a conspiracy?
Why we wrote these stories A conspiracy theory born in the late 1970s and early '80s had become a long-forgotten legend until last September, when the slaying of Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Tauzer gave new life to speculation about "The Lords of Bakersfield."
We felt this legend and the crimes that spawned it warranted a closer look. We believed readers would find these stories relevant and compelling.
Californian columnist Robert Price and Assistant Managing Editor Lois Henry researched these stories for three months, interviewing more than 100 people and digesting thousands of pages of court transcripts, investigative reports and newspaper articles, resulting in this report.
This Special Report is large -- perhaps too large for some readers. Nonetheless, we believed it was important for us to be as detailed and complete as possible. And because The Californian was part of the story, we felt a particular responsibility to be thorough.
Mike Jenner Executive editor
And here:
Assemblyman MOUNTJOY opposes promotion of homosexuality in public schools.
( Thanks again for posting the Mountjoy thread! )
California's Public Education 'Agenda': Smut 101
"The 'agenda' is even worse than what is in the WorldNetDaily article. The homosexual forces, inside the public education system, are planning field trips to gay parades, homosexual guest speakers and 'one-on-one' counseling, for kids to talk about their "hidden" feelings, concerning their sexual orientation. We suppose that the districts will simply "push the envelope" and the fruity California Assembly will rubberstamp it.
Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia was quoted in the WorldNetDaily article, "The material is being put forward under the guise of tolerance and diversity, but it's inappropriate. It's lewd and lascivious ..."
Learn even more here:
Seven Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child
Parental Notification Laws regarding Gay & Lesbian Programs for Youths?
Books and Reading Recommendations by GLSEN and PFLAG
How Homosexual Activists Are Taking Their Messages to the Public Schools
"What would schools look like if they were run by homosexual activists? In California, parents are learning the answer.
PARENTAL ADVISORY: Portions of this article may be inappropriate for young readers.
"...All the second- through fifth-graders at Pleasant Valley School had been called to an assembly, where they learned slogans like "I'm gay and it's OK," reinforced by various skits -like one in which Rapunzel cut her hair and ran away with her girlfriend. The show made an impact. "Daddy, am I a lesbian?" one third-grade girl asked. "I like girls better than boys." The group behind the assembly bore an innocent-sounding name, Cootie Shots. But it turned out to be an offshoot of Fringe Benefits, a theater group that gets public funds for "tolerance of diversity" performances in high schools and middle schools throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District. Now the group is targeting much younger kids, because-in the words of a longtime Fringe Benefits booster, Steven Hicks of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Los Angeles-"It is imperative to begin addressing these issues in the elementary schools as early as possible."..."
A better slogan:
.
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