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Judge to Christian mom: No 'homophobic' teaching
Worldnetdaily ^
| October 31, 2003
Posted on 10/30/2003 10:37:12 PM PST by scripter
A Colorado mother is appealing a child custody decision in which a court barred her from teaching homosexuality is wrong.
Cheryl Clark, who says she is a Christian, has been ordered by Denver County Circuit Judge John W. Coughlin to "make sure that there is nothing in the religious upbringing or teaching that the minor child is exposed to that can be considered homophobic."
The directive arose from the decision to award joint parenting responsibilities for her daughter to a practicing homosexual.
"Forbidding the raising of children in the parent's Christian beliefs is an anathema to parental rights and religious freedom," said Mathew D. Staver, president and general counsel of Florida-based Liberty Counsel. "Must the mother rip out pages of the Bible that say homosexuality is against nature, or must she cover her child's ears if her pastor preaches about sexual purity?"
Staver explained to WorldNetDaily Clark and Elsey McLeod were in a lesbian relationship that broke up after Clark became a Christian and concluded homosexual behavior was wrong.
The Denver court gave McLeod join custody of Clark's adopted daughter, Emma, even though McLeod had no legal relationship to the girl. It also, in conjunction with the ruling in favor of McLeod, said Clark cannot raise her child with any religious teaching or upbringing that is "homophobic."
Staver said courts cannot "give parents a no-win decision of either abandoning their Christian beliefs or abandoning their children."
The definition of "homophobic," Staver noted, is "all across the board," from being fearful of homosexuals to disagreeing with their lifestyle.
"It takes no stretch of the imagination to envision a judge finding the mother in contempt of court for merely teaching her daughter about the Biblical truths on homosexuality," he said.
Liberty Counsel filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the mother in her case before the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Staver notes the U.S. Supreme Court has long held that the Constitution guarantees the freedom to "worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience." Similarly, he said, the high court has acknowledged "the values of parental direction of the religious upbringing and education of our children in their early and formative years have a high place in our society."
Another troubling aspect of this case, he said, is the award of visitation and joint parenting responsibilities to a third-party who has no legal relationship to the daughter or the mother.
The decision, according to Staver, stands in direct conflict with precedent throughout the country that denies visitation to a third party based solely on that person's prior sexual relationship with the legal parent.
Staver told WND he is not aware of any similar cases in the U.S., although there have been some in which a judge has told a parent not to say anything degrading about the other parent's lifestyle.
None, to his knowledge, however, have gone to the extent of Coughlin, issuing a directive that restricts a parent's religious practice.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: antichristianbias; catholiclist; homeschool; homosexual; homosexualagenda; judge; parentalrights; prisoners
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To: Semper Paratus
"What is it, agrophobia? An unatural fear of heights"
Ummm....
81
posted on
10/31/2003 6:12:06 AM PST
by
wolficatZ
(___><))))*>____\0/____/|____"flipper to the rescue...")
To: jwalsh07
Yours was based on your interpretation of some decision, just your opinion. It isn't the first one you had that we disagreed on.
82
posted on
10/31/2003 6:14:08 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
To: Protagoras
I hadn't noticed.
83
posted on
10/31/2003 6:15:53 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: jwalsh07
Add that to the list.
84
posted on
10/31/2003 6:23:25 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
To: GeronL
You're free to agree with them. Otherwise, sit down, and if you don't shut-up, hire a lawyer and prepare to be sued.
Hat-Trick
85
posted on
10/31/2003 6:34:06 AM PST
by
Hat-Trick
(Do you trust a government that does not trust you with guns?)
To: Protagoras
I don't keep lists but, rest assured, if I did I would add whatever it is you're talking about to the "list".
86
posted on
10/31/2003 6:40:21 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: jwalsh07
Things you hadn't noticed. It's a long list I'm sure.
87
posted on
10/31/2003 6:41:28 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
To: scripter
Send this to Justice Kennedy. Obviously this judge has read his over-the-top opinion in Lawrence. Not that Kennedy gives a damn so long as his belt-way friends approve of what he days.
88
posted on
10/31/2003 6:42:51 AM PST
by
RobbyS
(XP)
To: Protagoras
You sound a tad bitter.
Do I whip you often in debate? :-}
89
posted on
10/31/2003 6:43:07 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: PeyersPatches
Which is why the side that will lose is trying so hard to take away our guns. Wanna scare the crap out of a liberal? Show them this picture:
Hat-Trick
90
posted on
10/31/2003 6:47:47 AM PST
by
Hat-Trick
(Do you trust a government that does not trust you with guns?)
To: jwalsh07
I've never seen you whip anyone,,but hey, there's always a 1st time! And I'm not in the least bit bitter, the world is full of guys like you. :^}
91
posted on
10/31/2003 6:59:25 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
To: Protagoras
LOL. One of us has a bit of a problem, that's for sure, it's either my memory or your ego.
But I'll remember you now, you've etched yourself in my aging mind.
92
posted on
10/31/2003 7:04:21 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
Comment #93 Removed by Moderator
To: jwalsh07
I don't think either one of us has any big problems. We just disagree on basic rights issues. If memory serves me well on my aging mind, you are a big supporter of government power as a solution to societal problems. If I'm wrong about that, I apologise. I could have you mixed up with someone else.
I believe in individual liberty and rights and personal responsibility. If you do too, I must have you mixed up with drug warriors and other such folks.
94
posted on
10/31/2003 7:17:42 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
To: Hat-Trick
Amen!!!
95
posted on
10/31/2003 7:24:48 AM PST
by
PeyersPatches
(I have intestinal fortitude)
To: Protagoras
Well, we can establish where we stand right here and now prota.
It is my belief that Lawrence V Texas was incorrectly decided by the SCOTUS and their opinion is not constitutionally grounded. Sodomy laws fall under the tenth amendment.
Supporters of an overly strong central government take the view that these things are the province of a central court in DC.
Which side do you stand on?
96
posted on
10/31/2003 7:25:12 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: 2Jedismom; Dataman
UN
BE
LIEVABLE
97
posted on
10/31/2003 7:28:29 AM PST
by
BibChr
("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
To: Howlin
If this isn't nipped in the bud there will be another civil war soon...christians against the secularists.
The line is being drawn in the sand.
To: scripter
has been ordered by Denver County Circuit Judge John W. Coughlin to "make sure that there is nothing in the religious upbringing or teaching that the minor child is exposed to that can be considered homophobic." Somebody needs a freepin, or at least an @s$ kickin
JUDICIAL OUTRAGE PING. If you want on or off this list let me know.
99
posted on
10/31/2003 7:33:31 AM PST
by
BSunday
(I'm not the bad guy.)
To: jwalsh07
I have to go now, but the ninth amendment is the operative one in this case.,,To be continued....
100
posted on
10/31/2003 7:34:19 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative.)
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