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Is banning the Bible next?
Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug. 13, 2003 | Mark Steyn

Posted on 08/13/2003 5:44:16 AM PDT by yonif

If you live pretty much anywhere in the Western world these days, you'll notice a certain kind of news item cropping up with quiet regularity. The Irish Times had one last week.

As Liam Reid reported, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties has warned Catholic bishops that distributing the Vatican's latest statement on homosexuality could lead to prosecution under the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act, and a six-month jail term.

"The document itself may not violate the Act, but if you were to use the document to say that gays are evil, it is likely to give rise to hatred, which is against the Act," says Aisling Reidy, director of the ICCL. "The wording is very strong and certainly goes against the spirit of the legislation."

No Irish bishop has actually called gays evil yet. But best to be on the safe side and shut down all debate.

From Dublin, let us zip 6,000 miles to Quesnel, a small paper-mill town in British Columbia. Chris Kempling is a high-school teacher and a Christian conservative and he likes writing letters to his local newspaper. In one of them he said that "homosexuality is not something to be applauded."

The regulatory body for his profession, the British Columbia College of Teachers, suspended him for a month without pay for "conduct unbecoming a member of the college."

No student, parent or fellow teacher at Correlieu Secondary School has ever complained about Mr. Kempling: he was punished by the BCCT for expressing an opinion in the paper. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association supported the suspension, not because of anything he's done but because of what he might do in the future. He might discriminate against gay and lesbian students in the future. He hasn't done so yet, but, if we don't preemptively punish him now, he might well commit a hate crime somewhere down the road.

He didn't say gays are evil. But he did say homosexuality wasn't something to be applauded. And, if we start letting people decide who they are and aren't going to applaud, there's no telling where it will end. As in Dublin, best to be on the safe side and shut down all debate.

In Sweden, meanwhile, they've passed a constitutional amendment making criticism of homosexuality a crime, punishable by up to four years in jail. Expressing a moral objection to homosexuality is illegal, even on religious grounds, even in church. Those preachers may not be talking about how gays are evil this Sunday. But they might do next week, or next month. As in Ireland and British Columbia, best to be on the safe side and shut down all debate.

Anyone sense a trend here? Even in America, where the First Amendment (on freedom of expression) still just about trumps "hate crimes" law, you can see where things are headed.

A FEW weeks back, the Senate Judiciary Committee interrogated William Pryor, attorney-general of Alabama and President George W. Bush's nominee to the Circuit Court of Appeals. As part of an exhaustive effort to establish Pryor's unfitness for office, the Democrats delved into his history of homophobic vacationing.

Was it true, demanded Senator Russ Feingold, that "you even went so far as to reschedule a family vacation at Disney World in order to avoid Gay Day?" Gay Day is an annual event at Disney, and Pryor is a practicing Catholic.

Yes, he even went so far! "My wife and I had two daughters, who at the time of that vacation were six and four," replied Pryor.

"But are you saying," gasped Senator Feingold in mock astonishment, "that you actually made that decision on purpose to be away at the time of that?" He actually did! "We made a value judgment and changed our plan and went another weekend."

"Well, I appreciate your candor on that," said Feingold, like Perry Mason on cross-examination, after artfully trapping the witness into an irreparably damaging admission.

Gay Day has its sweet side - Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck walk around holding hands, and so do Minnie and Daisy. I always figured Mickey was gay anyway. But the photographic souvenirs of the day unearthed by National Review also included a man quaffing on a beer bottle rising out from the unzipped pants of another chap. I wouldn't advise any young lady visitor to Disney to try that with her boyfriend: The park is very rigorously policed the other 364 days of the year.

But the disinclination of a devout Catholic to expose his four-year-old to the delights of Gay Day now renders one unfit for public office. Which exactly is the love that dare not speak its name here?

Pryor hasn't made any anti-gay rulings, but he might do one day, if we allow him to go around avoiding gay carousing on his vacations. Best to be on the safe side and vote him down now. And any other Catholics who still take that jazz seriously.

THIRTY YEARS ago, in the early days of gay liberation, most of us assumed we were being asked to live and let live. But throughout the Western world, tolerance has become remarkably intolerant, and diversity demands ruthless conformity. In New Zealand, an appeals court upheld a nationwide ban on importing a Christian video Gay Rights/Special Rights: Inside The Homosexual Agenda.

In Saskatchewan, The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix was fined by the Human Rights Commission for publishing an advertisement quoting biblical passages on homosexuality. Fining publishers of the Bible surely can't be far off. The coerciveness of the most "liberal" cultures in the Western world is not a pretty sight.

Whatever happened to "live and let live?" If I can live with the occasional rustle from the undergrowth as I'm strolling through a condom-strewn park or a come-hither look from George Michael in the men's room, why can't gays live with the occasional expression of disapproval?

Christian opponents of gay marriage oppose gay marriage, they don't oppose the right of gays to advocate it. But increasingly gays oppose the right of Christians to advocate their beliefs. Gay activists have figured that instead of trying to persuade people to change their opinions, it's easier just to get them banned.

As Rodney King, celebrated black victim of the LAPD, once plaintively said, "Why can't we all just get along?"

But, if that's not possible, why can't we all just not get along? What's so bad about disagreement that it needs to be turned into a crime?

The writer is senior contributing editor for Hollinger Inc.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: antichristian; bible; billpryor; church; deathcultivation; endtimesbaby; gaydays; gays; god; homosexualagenda; homosexuality; incitementtohatred; judicialnominees; litmustest; marksteyn; marksteynlist; russfeingold; un; vatican
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To: dnandell
NO ONE IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK OR FEEL OR ACT! NO ONE!

I won't allow anyone to dictate to me and tell me I have to be one way or the other. I have a mind and can think on my own. I will do so!!!!!!
81 posted on 08/14/2003 1:00:02 AM PDT by dixie sass (GOD bless America)
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To: dnandell
NO ONE IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK OR FEEL OR ACT! NO ONE!

I won't allow anyone to dictate to me and tell me I have to be one way or the other. I have a mind and can think on my own. I will do so!!!!!!
82 posted on 08/14/2003 1:02:59 AM PDT by dixie sass (GOD bless America)
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To: dnandell
NO ONE IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK OR FEEL OR ACT! NO ONE!

I won't allow anyone to dictate to me and tell me I have to be one way or the other. I have a mind and can think on my own. I will do so!!!!!!
83 posted on 08/14/2003 1:03:09 AM PDT by dixie sass (GOD bless America)
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To: dnandell
NO ONE IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD THINK OR FEEL OR ACT! NO ONE!

I won't allow anyone to dictate to me and tell me I have to be one way or the other. I have a mind and can think on my own. I will do so!!!!!!
84 posted on 08/14/2003 1:03:45 AM PDT by dixie sass (GOD bless America)
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To: yonif
As Liam Reid reported, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties has warned Catholic bishops that distributing the Vatican's latest statement on homosexuality could lead to prosecution under the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act, and a six-month jail term

Irish Council for Civil Liberties, huh? Go for it, a-holes. Nothing like challenging a pissed-off Christian Irishman to protect the Bible. You're messing with the wrong dudes, stupids. You tried it before, and it didn't work. Duh.

85 posted on 08/14/2003 1:08:34 AM PDT by FlyVet
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To: JohnHuang2; yonif

PC has nurtured this LIBERAL Hydra.

86 posted on 08/14/2003 1:14:16 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: yonif
Nothing funny about this piece by Steyn.

Witty, but not funny.

Deadly serious is this "gay" business.

It is the canary in the mine for totalitarianism.

It is evident that the North has succumbed, as well as Europe and New Zealand.

It is also evidence that the torch of Christendom has passed from the West: I hope its light flames strong and true in Asia and Africa.

87 posted on 08/14/2003 1:42:18 AM PDT by happygrl
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To: Lexington Green
Since the Christ (the new covenant) came to fulfill the old law, it is His words that they actually consider to be hate speech. "Go, and sin no more." Such forgiveness, and yet such a requirement to repent of (turn away from) sin. Now that's unacceptable to them.
88 posted on 08/14/2003 4:12:18 AM PDT by anniegetyourgun
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To: Marauder; Republic If You Can Keep It
"It's hard to imagine an America where you have to hide your Bible and attend church underground ..."

You may not have to actually hide it,but it may become difficult for you if you don't have a socially acceptable view of what it actually is.

God bless

mitch

89 posted on 08/14/2003 5:00:24 AM PDT by mitch5501 (by the grace of God,I am what I am)
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To: Cronos
"Why can't we all just get along?"

Rodney King did, indeed, say that but there is just no 'getting along' with the homosexual gaggle and their sinister agenda for America.

With giddy politicians eagar to co-conspire with these evil ones to bring about a society in which homosexuality is as accepted as something decent like a family unit, then we need to discover and remember these politicians for an "outing" at the ballot box.

All DemocRATs are willing sycophants of the agenda, but too damned many RepublicRATs 'see no evil' in sodomy.

Our entire system is rotten beginning with the Supreme Court and all the way through the nation's entire system of courts with few exceptions.

Our political class, whom we've placed upon a pedestal where, once entrenched, they remain for as long as they wish, are the key to fighting back. It's too bad that the majority of Americans hear these weasels during campaign time shouting "I'm fighting for families," when what they are fighting for (due to the fact that they've signed the same pact with satan that the homosexuals have signed) is the dismemberment of families and churches.

Divide the families from their church and religion and it makes it easier for the homosexuals to get their hands on what they truly desire: children!

90 posted on 08/14/2003 5:52:10 AM PDT by JesseHousman
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To: dixie sass
"In Saskatchewan, The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix was fined by the Human Rights Commission for publishing an advertisement quoting biblical passages on homosexuality."
91 posted on 08/14/2003 5:58:41 AM PDT by Manic_Episode
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To: Manic_Episode
"The next logical step is outlawing Christianity altogether, then martyrdom."

We will see the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when that happens.

92 posted on 08/14/2003 6:21:24 AM PDT by painter
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To: yonif
Excerpted from an article at missionamerica.org:

Books containing child sexual abuse promoted to children by GLSEN and PFLAG:

A novel called "Rainbow Boys" (Alex Sanchez, Simon & Schuster, 2001) is recommended by PFLAG in its youth brochure and is available for purchase on the GLSEN web site. Read this article for details of the graphic material in Rainbow Boys and other books recommended by PFLAG.

The author of "Rainbow Boys", Alex Sanchez, was invited to speak this past spring (2002) to a "gay" club at Murphy Junior High School in Stony Brook, New York. (We are not making this up.) This club was allowed to organize after members of the local high school "gay" club visited the junior high on "Diversity Day." The book had been recommended to the sixth, seventh and eighth graders to read prior to the author's visit. The Murphy club is believed to be one of the few middle school homosexual clubs organized so far in the U.S. There are reportedly over 1000 high school "gay" clubs.

Indoctrinating locals schools and police: Feds abuse power (Christians are defined as a hate group)

93 posted on 08/14/2003 6:58:10 AM PDT by Prodigal Daughter
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To: JohnHuang2; f.Christian
Thanks for the heads ups!
94 posted on 08/14/2003 8:26:13 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Pokey78
Thanks for the ping.

Mark Steyn has given me much to think about. I've been asleep at the wheel, presuming that because I'm not gay this issue doesn't affect me.

Silence is often taken for agreement. I won't make that mistake again.
95 posted on 08/14/2003 9:28:56 AM PDT by baseballmom
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To: JohnHuang2
Bible ... Bump!

The Truth Will Out!
96 posted on 08/14/2003 9:39:49 AM PDT by blackie
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To: Manic_Episode
I'm appalled.
97 posted on 08/14/2003 10:15:19 PM PDT by dixie sass (GOD bless America)
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To: Snuffington; yonif
But throughout the Western world, tolerance has become remarkably intolerant, and diversity demands ruthless conformity.

Toleration was never in the cards; the "contradictions", as Marxists like to call them, are too marked. These people are totalitarians; they insist on a seamless, single worldview. You will participate. You will not be a party-poop!

"Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!

98 posted on 08/15/2003 4:29:22 AM PDT by lentulusgracchus
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To: Avoiding_Sulla
I've been reading Bernard Goldberg's 'Bias' finally--been meaning to, but just now got to it--and one of the most trenchant points he makes is in explaining how the media created a myth that AIDs was becoming an epidemic among heteros.

He lays out what they did in very stark terms--and he should know if anyone does. He was an up-close eyewitness to how they operate.

Not really in line with your point, necessarily, but interesting anyhow.
99 posted on 08/15/2003 9:54:17 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: lentulusgracchus
"Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!

100 posted on 08/15/2003 9:57:03 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
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