Religions > Atheism > Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"rob wade" |
| Date: |
16 May 2005 01:46:08 PM |
| Object: |
Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage'
comments
By Michael Foust
CALGARY, Alberta, Canada (BP)--A Catholic bishop in Canada is under
investigation by a government agency for condemning "gay marriage," and
American conservatives say such infringements on religious freedom
could be headed to the U.S.
The bishop, Fred Henry of Calgary, is being investigated by the Alberta
Human Rights Commission for comments he made about homosexuality in
both a letter to parishioners and a Calgary Sun newspaper column. Two
homosexuals filed the complaints.
In the newspaper column, which stated basic Christian doctrine, Henry
wrote, among other things, "Since homosexuality, adultery, prostitution
and pornography undermine the foundations of the family, the basis of
society, then the State must use its coercive power to proscribe or
curtail them in the interests of the common good." He also argued that
behind the push for "gay marriage" is a desire to have society accept
homosexuality.
If found guilty, Henry could be fined -- and religious expression will
have taken a big hit.
"Gay marriage" is legal in seven of 10 Canadian provinces and one of
three territories. While Alberta has yet to legalize "gay marriage,"
provincial law nonetheless bans discrimination based on "sexual
orientation." That includes public statements and publications. The
Human Rights Commission is the government body that investigates
complaints.
Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada,
said that even if the complaint is dismissed, homosexual activists will
have won a small victory.
"Even the launching of a complaint itself raises deep concerns,"
Clemenger told Baptist Press. "It sets a troubling and a dangerous
precedent. Will people of faith be able to express religious views on
sexual morality without the threat of legal sanction? Even having a
complaint filed means [the bishop] needs to bring in lawyers, begin
preparing response. It's in some ways an attempt to intimidate or
silence him, when in fact what he was doing is expressing some of the
basic teaching of the Catholic catechism."
Henry vowed to fight the complaint.
"Those that support same-sex marriage want to shut the churches out of
this important debate," he said at a press conference in late March,
according to Canadian Press. "Those who favor same-sex marriage have
been given a full opportunity to state their views on the issue. But
now they are saying anyone who speaks out against same-sex marriage is
discriminating against homosexuals."
Carol Johnson, one of the homosexuals who filed a complaint, said she
was concerned Henry's letter and column would expose homosexuals to
"hatred or contempt."
"These remarks are particularly dangerous when made by a person in a
position of trust and authority," Johnson wrote in her complaint.
Social conservatives, though, say the incident is an example of what
happens when homosexuality is put on the same level of protection as
race, age and disability. In the United States, 16 states prohibit
discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, according to
the homosexual group Lambda Legal. Thirteen of those ban discrimination
in housing.
Illinois is the latest to pass a sexual orientation law. Peter
LaBarbera, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, said
Canada should serve as a warning to American conservatives.
"Once you get same-sex marriage, then it becomes hard to stop any other
aspect of the gay agenda," he told BP. "That's the part that people are
forgetting."
Religious freedoms already have been set back in Canada in recent
years. In 2002 an Ontario court ruled that a Toronto printer violated
the human rights code when he refused to print stationery for a
homosexual activist group. He was fined $5,000. In another case, the
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission fined a man $4,500 for running a
newspaper advertisement condemning homosexuality. The ad included
biblical references.
Because of the fear of fines, Focus on the Family's radio programs
occasionally must have references to homosexuality edited out before
they are broadcast. Christian television also keeps an eye on its
programming.
And it's getting worse. Last year, Canada's Parliament passed a bill
placing "sexual orientation" in the criminal code classes protected
against hate speech. The bill is now law.
"Clearly, the government and judiciary in Canada are poised to rule in
favor of gay rights over rights to express religious convictions,"
Kermit Rainman, social research analyst for Focus on the Family, told
BP. "From this point, it is a small step for the government to require
churches to perform same-sex marriages against their belief systems.
The situation here in the U.S. is not far behind what we are seeing in
Canada and should cause every evangelical Christian and social
conservative great concern."
Clemenger said too many people have a narrow view of religious freedom,
seeing it simply as the ability to worship freely on Sunday morning.
But religious freedom extends to all of life, including the workplace,
he said. If "gay marriage" is legalized in all of Canada, then
religious freedom will be in even greater danger, he said.
"Once gay marriage is legalized ... then there will be a tendency to
say, 'Well, these are now legal family norms, and they should be taught
as being acceptable within public schools.' Then, the question is, what
would happen to public school teachers who have moral disagreement with
that position? Would they be able to abstain or to opt out and not
teach that section?"
LaBarbera said that even if the complaint is dismissed, homosexual
activists will have accomplished much.
"Let's say they throw it out," he said. "Well, that church has still
been put through the trauma of a case. The gay lobby is going to get
what it wants through intimidation. You don't have to win the lawsuit,
because how many churches even want to have a lawsuit?
"But people start to self-censor, which has already been happening all
across Canada. And it's happening in the United States, too. They don't
have to win these cases. I think the other side likes to bring the
cases."
But LaBarbera said the lawsuits are not unique to Canada. He mentioned
the case of the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, which was sued for
firing a lesbian employee. A federal judge upheld the firing. LaBarbera
added he believes homosexual activists in America are disingenuous when
they make their case for "gay marriage."
"I just take it with a grain of salt when they say they're going to
preserve the right of churches not to marry homosexuals," LaBarbera
said. "They know that that's a loser right now, so they talk about this
idea of civil marriage.
"If there was no record of homosexuals going after Christian
institutions, that would be one thing. But they actually are very
aggressive."
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| User: "Dionisio" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage'comments |
16 May 2005 07:12:14 PM |
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rob wade wrote:
Will people of faith be able to express religious views on
sexual morality...
Sexual morality, eh?
About 6 months ago (perhaps longer) there was a great deal of discussion
in Canada on bill C-41 which among other things would recognize
homosexuals as a target of hate crimes. There was this member of the
liberal party (incidentally it was the liberal party that introduced the
bill) who stood up and started talking about how homosexuality is
immoral, and unnatural and destroys the family. The rather delicious
irony of the whole thing was the she was a divorced mother with a
15-year-old daughter who was knocked up. Yes, William Bennett is most
definitely correct on this one.
-- (Patrick Rogoschewsky), 11 Aug 1995
Reagan was the man who gave the state of California no fault divorce,
and was the first Presidential adulterer. Naturally, he was supported --
most ardently -- by the religious.
The number of "moral" forces in politics who turned out to be
less-than-so is almost without number.
And the phenomenon extends to their own leaders. Not so long ago, the
president of the Southern Baptists was discovered to be an arsonist,
embezzler, and -- oops -- "with mistress." Naturally, the church was
concerned about the money. (Matter of legal record.)
Sexual morality? I'll believe it when their sexual organs are welded
shut or lopped off.
"If there was no record of homosexuals going after Christian
institutions, that would be one thing. But they actually are very
aggressive."
Hmm... Never heard of "do unto others as you would have them do unto
you." Surprise. Surprise.
--
Little Things They Forget to Mention...
Item #5: Latex has an aftertaste.
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| User: "Hugo S. Cunningham" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
16 May 2005 10:29:38 PM |
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On Tue, 17 May 2005 00:12:14 GMT, Dionisio
<moc.rr.thgisni@5ellimd.com> wrote:
rob wade wrote:
Will people of faith be able to express religious views on
sexual morality...
Sexual morality, eh?
[...]
Reagan was the man who gave the state of California no fault divorce,
and was the first Presidential adulterer.
First Presidential *divorcee*. As far as adulterers are concerned, we
previously had FDR (probably) and JFK (certainly).
Naturally, he was supported --
most ardently -- by the religious.
[...]
You are correct about the hypocrisy, however. In 1964, Goldwater's
people (the Right) played up Nelson Rockefeller's divorce in order to
eke out a narrow victory in the decisive California Republican primary
election.
--Hugo S. Cunningham
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| User: "Dr Kerry Weaver" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage'comments |
17 May 2005 12:22:24 AM |
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"Hugo S. Cunningham" wrote:
On Tue, 17 May 2005 00:12:14 GMT, Dionisio
<moc.rr.thgisni@5ellimd.com> wrote:
rob wade wrote:
Will people of faith be able to express religious views on
sexual morality...
Sexual morality, eh?
[...]
Reagan was the man who gave the state of California no fault divorce,
and was the first Presidential adulterer.
First Presidential *divorcee*. As far as adulterers are concerned, we
previously had FDR (probably) and JFK (certainly).
and George Washington(mistress Sally Fairfax)
and Thomas Jefferson (fornicator with wife's half sister, a slave)
and Warren Harding (mistress Nan Britton)
and Woodrow Wilson (mistress Mary Peck, hence "Peck's bad boy)
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
Kerry Weaver
--
“I have faith, and my faith that tells me I’m a sinner because of who I
love!”
Dr Kerry Weaver
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| User: "Clave" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
17 May 2005 02:04:25 AM |
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"Dr Kerry Weaver" <FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> wrote in message
news:42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org...
<...>
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
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| User: "Dr Kerry Weaver" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage'comments |
17 May 2005 02:11:20 AM |
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Clave wrote:
"Dr Kerry Weaver" <FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> wrote in message
news:42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org...
<...>
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
I find it hypocritical since the Fords have been there, and so has Mrs Reagan.
--
“I have faith, and my faith that tells me I’m a sinner because of who I love!”
Dr Kerry Weaver
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
17 May 2005 10:05:10 PM |
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On Tue, 17 May 2005 07:11:20 GMT, Dr Kerry Weaver
<KWeaver@LesbianER_Doc.edu> wrote:
Clave wrote:
"Dr Kerry Weaver" <FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> wrote in message
news:42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org...
<...>
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
I find it hypocritical since the Fords have been there, and so has Mrs Reagan.
You dumb fucking canadian. They're PAST PRESIDENTS and wives! Charlie
is a useless figure head with a ***** in his bed.
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| User: "Gary DeWaay" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
20 May 2005 09:22:43 PM |
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's at wisdom:
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
I find it hypocritical since the Fords have been there, and so has Mrs Reagan.
You dumb fucking canadian. They're PAST PRESIDENTS and wives! Charlie
is a useless figure head with a ***** in his bed.
I wonder if Rush has visited the current President at the WH?
--
Gary
"Raising fuel efficiency standards by 7.6 mpg would save enough to
eliminate 100% of our gulf oil imports into this country."
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| User: "Vox Humana" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
21 May 2005 06:33:20 PM |
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"Gary DeWaay" <dewaay2spikeNOT@sio.midco.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1cf8576dc41140df98a32f@news.midco.net...
's at wisdom:
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall
were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be
inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
I find it hypocritical since the Fords have been there, and so has Mrs
Reagan.
You dumb fucking canadian. They're PAST PRESIDENTS and wives! Charlie
is a useless figure head with a ***** in his bed.
I wonder if Rush has visited the current President at the WH?
Rush doesn't count since none of his marriages were ever consummated.
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| User: "Bonnie Bitch, YWN" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
17 May 2005 02:38:25 AM |
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On Tue, 17 May 2005 07:11:20 GMT, Dr Kerry Weaver
<KWeaver@LesbianER_Doc.edu> wrote:
Clave wrote:
"Dr Kerry Weaver" <FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> wrote in message
news:42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org...
<...>
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
The shame is that no one finds this surprising.
Jim
I find it hypocritical since the Fords have been there, and so has Mrs Reagan.
You mean Anne Frances Robbins-Davis-Reagan?
And as an aside, although Zsa Zsa
Gabor-Belge-Hilton-Sanders-Hunter-Cosden-Ryan-O'Hara-de
Alba-von Anhalt may not have been at trhe White House, we all know
that Elizabeth
Taylor-Hilton-Wilding-Todd-Fisher-Burton-Warner-Burton-Fortensky
has been, with the Reagans, IIRC.
And, again IIRC, Ms. Judy Garland-Rose-Minnelli-Luft-Herron-Deans
performed there more than once.
(NB --- of Judy's five husbands, Sid Luft was the only hetero in the
bunch.)
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| User: "No One" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
17 May 2005 01:07:37 AM |
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Dr Kerry Weaver <FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> writes:
"Hugo S. Cunningham" wrote:
On Tue, 17 May 2005 00:12:14 GMT, Dionisio
<moc.rr.thgisni@5ellimd.com> wrote:
Reagan was the man who gave the state of California no fault divorce,
and was the first Presidential adulterer.
First Presidential *divorcee*. As far as adulterers are concerned, we
previously had FDR (probably) and JFK (certainly).
and George Washington(mistress Sally Fairfax)
and Thomas Jefferson (fornicator with wife's half sister, a slave)
-- maybe. The DNA evidence isn't conclusive, as another of
Jefferson's relatives could have done the deed.
and Warren Harding (mistress Nan Britton)
and Woodrow Wilson (mistress Mary Peck, hence "Peck's bad boy)
And don't forget Grover Cleaveland, although his offense (at the age
of 19 or so) might have been fornication instead of adultery, but in
any case, it led to a baby. The Republicans got wind of it and hired
a bunch of kids to run around shouting, "Mommy, mommy, where's my
dad." The Democrats, not to be outdone, hired another group of kids
to run around shouting, "Gone to the Whitehouse, ha ha ha."
Meanwhile, it turned out that the Republican candidate had been caught
with his fingers in the till. Given a choice between protecting their
wallets and protecting their daughters' virtue, the voters decided to
protect their wallets.
Of course, then we have Francois Mitterand, whose mistress had a
line item in the French budget. The French do it right. :-)
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| User: "The Great Hairy One" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
19 May 2005 05:22:50 AM |
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In article <42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org>,
FictionalLesbians@from.history.org says...
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
Can you give evidence for this?
--
The Great Hairy One,
BAAWA all night long
SMASHing it to the masses
====================================
CEO EAC Roleplaying Division
Roleplay. Just do it.
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| User: "Dr Kim Legaspi" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage'comments |
19 May 2005 09:08:41 AM |
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The Great Hairy One wrote:
In article <42897F88.2229B2CC@from.history.org>,
FictionalLesbians@from.history.org says...
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
Can you give evidence for this?
--
The Great Hairy One,
CAMILLA BANNED FROM WHITE HOUSE
Feb 20 2005
Dubya bars Camilla from White House ..because she is a divorcee
By Paul Gilfeather Political Editor
GEORGE Bush has banned Camilla Parker Bowles from the White House - because she
is a divorcee.
The unprecedented snub has effectively sabotaged Charles's plan to take his
bride on a Royal tour of America later this year.
The trip would have been the pair's first official tour as a married couple.
But the US President - a notoriously right-wing Christian and reformed alcoholic
- told aides it was "inappropriate" for him to be playing host to the
newly-weds, who are both divorcees.
The decision was made even though the late President Ronald Reagan was divorced.
A Government insider said: "It was relayed to us from Washington that Mrs Parker
Bowles would not be welcome at the White House.
"The Americans are aware that the visit will be subject to a lot of media attent
ion and did not want the President drawn into what they view to be a public
relations exercise.
"It's now uncertain if the visit will even go ahead."
Insiders point out that hosting a lavish Royal dinner for Charles and Camilla
would be bad PR for President Bush because while Princess Diana is still much
loved by many Americans, her ex-husband is seen and dull and aloof - and bothhe
and Camilla are widely blamed for the break-up of his marriage.
The trip, which has been planned for three years, was being portrayed as a
"trade mission" and Charles and Camilla were expected to dine with Mr Bush and
his wife Laura at the White House.
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/tm_objectid=15209578&method=full&siteid=106694&headline=camilla-banned-from-white-house-name_page.html
BAAWA all night long
SMASHing it to the masses
====================================
CEO EAC Roleplaying Division
Roleplay. Just do it.
--
"Guess what, Kerry? This isn't about you. This is about a confused and
frightened young woman who would rather kill herself than deal with the stigma
of being gay...maybe it is about you."
Dr. Kim Legaspi
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| User: "Zeligg" |
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| Title: Re: Coming to America? Canadian bishop investigated for 'gay marriage' comments |
17 May 2005 05:15:53 PM |
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On Tue, 17 May 2005 05:22:24 GMT, Dr Kerry Weaver
<FictionalLesbians@from.history.org> wrote:
"Hugo S. Cunningham" wrote:
On Tue, 17 May 2005 00:12:14 GMT, Dionisio
<moc.rr.thgisni@5ellimd.com> wrote:
rob wade wrote:
Will people of faith be able to express religious views on
sexual morality...
Sexual morality, eh?
[...]
Reagan was the man who gave the state of California no fault divorce,
and was the first Presidential adulterer.
First Presidential *divorcee*. As far as adulterers are concerned, we
previously had FDR (probably) and JFK (certainly).
and George Washington(mistress Sally Fairfax)
and Thomas Jefferson (fornicator with wife's half sister, a slave)
and Warren Harding (mistress Nan Britton)
and Woodrow Wilson (mistress Mary Peck, hence "Peck's bad boy)
Recently, the Prince of Wales and his wife the Dutchess of Cornwall were
denied a state visit to the US because Bush said it would be inappropriate
to entertain acouple, both divorced , in the White House.
Kerry Weaver
Is this true? Does anyone have a link? I couldn't find anything on
snopes about it.
Zeligg
"Prayer has no place in the public schools,
just like facts have no place in organized religion."
- Superintendent Chalmers, The Simpsons
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