Affirming Children's Rights To Their Mothers And Fathers

Our colleague over at RESTORE DC CATHOLICISM posted an interesting talk taking place at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda, MD. 

The talk, entitled "Affirming Children's Rights to Their Mothers and Fathers" deals with true marriage (a term which I have used, instead of traditional marriage for a while) and that all children need a mother and a father.  

For more, go here: http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2015/03/affirming-childrens-rights-to-their.html

Who Are the Real Haters?

Over the last few weeks, I have followed the public relations battle over the issue of gay marriage. 
One of the things that I have noticed, although this is not really new, is the way the pro-gay marriage folks have smeared those of us who support  marriage between one man and one woman.  I call our support for one man/one woman marriage "True Marriage." 

Because of our support for True Marriage, we are called "homophobes," "haters," "bigots," and that we oppose civil rights.  (When did gay marriage became a civil right?)  Those are just some of the kinder terms and phrases used
 
Except for the Westboro Baptist folks and a handful of others, most of those who support True Marriage do not go around saying that "God Hates Fags."  Sorry, as much as you might think we do, we don't.   
 
In fact, if you really know anything about us, you would realize that we believe that the homosexual act is wrong and is a sin.  However, we do not condemn a person just because they have a homosexual orientation. 
 
In fact, our charitable works help all.  Our food pantry collections help those who are in need of food.   Our warm coat drives help those who need to stay warm in winter.  Money raised to cover medical treatments at our medical facilities help those who need care.  There are blood drives for the Red Cross.  We donate diapers, formulas and wipes to new mothers to care for their babies.  Need someone to listen to you, our priests and religious do that on a daily basis.  The list goes on.  These are not one time things, these are everyday works of charity.
 
And yet, we are condemned by those who do not believe in True Marriage in the vilest of terms.  Not just in language, but in their actions by dressing up and mocking our priests and religious.  Although this does not happen often, there is physical destruction and damage to church buildings and property.  And, mocking some of the most basic tenants of our faith in a way, that you if you did it to a couple of other faiths, you might find yourself at the other end of a gun. 
 
I contend that the real haters are those who condemn the supporters of True Marriage.   

You hate us because we stand in the way of what we believe is an immoral act.  An act, not sanctioned by God and his Son, Jesus Christ.  You want to change God into your own image, instead of changing to His. 
 
You may hate us but I will still pray for you and for me, that we change our ways to His way.
 
(Oh, by the way, if you are against pedophilia, bestiality, selling of heroin, rape, and auto theft, are you a hater?  Because there are some out there, who believe that these actions are acceptable and good.)
 
*Reminder:  Rev. Phelps' is not a member of the right.  He is a member of the Democrat Party and a support of Al "I created the Internet" Gore.

Don't Redefine Marriage

The institution of marriage is under attack by many different forces in our culture today. But it is the basic foundation of our society. To further damage it will cause increased cultural erosion. Redefining marriage is not the answer during these hard times. Rededication to marriage and family is.

And keep in mind that we don't need to redefine marriage to give same-sex couples legal rights and benefits. Indeed, in the state of Maryland, same-sex couples already receive benefits, such as hospital visitation, medical and end-of-life decision making, state health benefits, tax breaks and many more.

Advocates of same-sex marriage have attempted to take ownership of some of the key language in this debate. I have heard that this about "love" — but you can love and commit to whomever you want until death do you part; the government is not involved in issues of love. Or, it's about "equality" — but right now, everyone has the same rights under the law, and it says everyone can marry one person from the opposite sex. Or it's been called a "civil rights" issue — but this would be laughable if it wasn't so offensive to the struggles that African-Americans endured in this country. And lastly, "discrimination" — but the government does not discriminate against same-sex couples when promoting the natural definition of marriage; it differentiates certain behaviors. There is a huge difference.

For the full article, click here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-question6-birk-20121026,0,848696,print.story


And remember, VOTE NO on QUESTION 4!

Speaking as One Catholic to Another during this Election

BTW, I endorse this message.

Don't Redefine Marriage

http://www.marylandmarriagealliance.org

Saturday Evening at Chick-fil-A

So, Saturday night I decide to go to see 2016 at the theaters in downtown Silver Spring.

I parked in the public parking lot and as I am walking by Chick-fil-A, there are a group of about ten protestors.  Most looked like they were either high school seniors or freshmen in college, holding up some undecipherable signs but you know they were pro-gay.  There was a guy in a Guy Fawkes mask and Grim Reaper cloak and hood, and an older woman (probably in her 60's with an Obama sticker on her sign. They were quiet but lined the sidewalk.

When I saw them, I decided that something was to be done.  I walked by them and went in to Chick-fil-A and purchased six cookies.  To be honest, I wasn't hungry but I wasn't going to let them intimidate anyone.

I purchased the cookies and walked out of the store, only to be told by the Guy Fawkes character "Thank you for supporting hate."   

So, being the smart ass that I sometimes can be, I offered each of the protesters a cookie as I passed them.  "Would you like a cookie?," I asked.

I then realized that they wouldn't let me in the movies with them, so, I took one out and took a bite.  It was actually pretty good.

So, as I walked by them, I once again offered them a cookie, letting them know that they were pretty good and they are missing out.

I will not be intimidated!

True Marriage Opponents Running Scared?

It seems that the opponents (gay marriage supporters) of True Marriage seem to be running scared.  Those of us who support True Marriage, have submitted over 160,000 signatures...almost three times those required for a vote to be put on the ballot.

Over the last few days, I have noticed a flurry of emails from the supporters of gay marriage on this matter. 

• There is the sympathy one (Anna and I have a loving relationship and our children...). 
• There is the one which charges that the opponents of gay marriage are using racism.
• There is the one from the LBGT Maryland Legislators.
• There is the one about making phone calls from the SEIU HQ in Washington DC.
• The Catholics for Equality no longer describe one of their members as a priest, who lives at Georgetown.

Let's make certain not only to GOTV (get out the vote) to repeal gay marriage in MD but to send a clear messge to those who support this lifestyle--it is unacceptable.

True Marriage in Maryland Needs Your Help

Although I am not always a fan of the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC), sometimes they do the right thing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Issue: You raised your voices earlier this year and stopped the redefinition of marriage in our state. And the whole country took notice. We need you to stand strong and make your voices heard again. Maryland's General Assembly is meeting this week in special session and it is time to remind legislators that Maryland's Catholics support the long-held definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

You will receive two CAN alerts from the Maryland Catholic Conference. One will target your delegates, who sent the same-sex marriage bill back to committee without taking a vote. The second alert will target your state senator, who either voted for or against the bill. Please open both alerts and make your voice heard!

Two weeks ago a statewide poll showed an 8 percentage-point swing against same-sex marriage since January. Before the legislative session began in January and before people realized how close the General Assembly was to redefining marriage, 51% of respondents said that they would favor same-sex marriage with 44% against. Now, the numbers are flipping with 49% opposed to same-sex marriage and 48% in favor.

Marriage, recognized by societies throughout human history, originates in a simple biological fact. This unique union of one man and one woman is the only human relationship capable of creating children and nurturing them together as father and mother.

Treating heterosexual and same-sex relationships differently is not unjust discrimination, and upholding the truth of marriage does not ignore the rights or the equal dignity of all human persons. Instead, stripping marriage of its unique connection to parenthood erases a child's right to a mother and father, and ignores an essential question of why government favors marriage between one man and one woman over all other relationships.

Action: Please click here now. Urge your state senator to support traditional marriage and oppose same-sex marriage.