Religions > Atheism > American Atheists Action Alert - Federal Marriage Amendment
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
03 Jun 2006 04:50:49 PM |
| Object: |
American Atheists Action Alert - Federal Marriage Amendment |
American Atheists Action Alert
June 3, 2006
VOTE ON FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT SLATED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 6
E-mails, calls, faxes needed NOW!
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-03-jun-2006.html
The U.S. Senate is slated to vote as early as Tuesday, June 6, 2006 on
S.J. 1, a measure that would amend our Constitution to prohibit
same-sex unions. (See: http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/gaym1.htm).
If approved, this legislation would be the first time in American
history where the amendment process was used to limit individual rights.
The proposed amendment declares:
"Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a
man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of
any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal
incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of
a man and a woman."
In order to take effect as a constitutional amendment, the measure must
have a 2/3 majority in the House of Representatives and the U.S.
Senate, and then be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures.
It is vital that S.J. 1 be stopped in the Senate. The House is more
disposed to approve this sort of intolerant legislation, and religious
groups will work hard to enlist support by lawmakers in the individual
states. A resounding "NO" vote by the U.S. Senate would be an
important step in de-railing this unfair and discriminatory legislation!
TALKING POINTS
* This measure would prevent same-sex couples across the country from
achieving equal access to the rights and privileges that are part of
the institution of marriage.
* The proposed amendment is unprecedented in American history. Our
Constitution has been amended on only 17 occasions, and generally those
amendments have expanded rights. Women obtained the voting franchise
and slavery was abolished by this process. The only time Americans
lost rights through the amendment process was the enactment of
Prohibition -- and that foolish legislation was overturned. With S.J.
1, however, our Constitution would be altered to restrict individual
rights and undermine equal protection! It penalizes a group of
Americans by denying them the rights and privileges available to others
through the legal protections of marriage.
* The amendment could affect important Supreme Court decisions since it
weakens the notion of equal protection. In 1967, for instance, the
high court struck down a Virginia statute which prohibited interracial
marriage (LOVING v. VIRGINIA). In 2003, the court ruled in LAWRENCE v.
TEXAS that a state law punishing "sodomy" as a consensual act between
adults was unconstitutional.
* The amendment is part of a broad political campaign to mobilize
religious groups and constituencies in time for the November and 2008
elections. Religious Right leaders have boasted that they want to get
legislators "on the record" over the incendiary issue of gay rights.
We need to support those many lawmakers speaking out against this
bigotry!
CONTACT THE U.S. SENATE NOW!
Senators are under enormous pressure from religious groups like James
Dobson's "Focus on the Family" to vote for this discriminatory
legislation. Our lawmakers need to hear from the other side! We urge
you to contact U.S. Senators from your state NOW with E-mails, faxes
and phone calls! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-03-jun-2006.html for links and
more!
* Tell your Senator(s) to vote NO on S.J. 1, the federal marriage
amendment! Let them know that you support individual rights, and
oppose religion-based discrimination being included in our U.S.
Constitution!
* Be concise and polite.
* Ask for response to your concerns! Be sure to include your name and
address in all of your communications with public officials.
* Send us copies of your E-mails and faxes, and we will post them at
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-03-jun-2006.html
* Spread this Action Alert! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-03-jun-2006.html
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
--
--
Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists Internet Representative
<irep @ atheists.org> <http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/> <http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
.
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| User: "Hotel Charlie One" |
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| Title: Re: American Atheists Action Alert - Federal Marriage Amendment |
03 Jun 2006 05:34:11 PM |
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"Larry Mundinger" <see.signature@below.invalid> wrote in
news:Zungg.12547$eQ4.4909@tornado.tampabay.rr.com:
If approved, this legislation would be the first time in American
history where the amendment process was used to limit individual
rights.
Not true, The Constitution was amended to say that people no longer
had the right to posess alcohol. Later, wiser heads prevailed and the
Prohibition was ended with yet another amendment to the Constitution.
Kinda funny to think that those imposing their morality upon others
chose alcohol as the evil as opposed to say heroin or cocaine.
--
The actions of the disgraceful Clinton and Bush administrations
make it possible for me to say without shame that I deeply regret
the day I put the uniform of my country. The freedoms that I was
willing to protect with my life are gone. The America of our founders
is dead. All we are waiting for now is rigor mortis.
HotelCharlieOne
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