Catholic Online Forum

These evils will lead to events which have been prophesied by many messages and apparitions.

I don't think this is news. Isn't it what everyone expected?

Support for the LGBT Community
"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."

-- Barack Obama, June 1, 2007
The Obama-Biden Plan

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.

Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. Obama also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as president.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

Considering that most of the assaults lately have been by not on homosexuals, I wonder have our reps thought about protecting the rights of the religious.

it is not like assaults on homosexual persons - alleged or real - are so terribly underreported that we need Catholic/pro-family sources to dedicate more attention to them. The reason why we need alternative media is precisely the mainstream media and their bias in favor of anyone living/attacking/slandering/ridiculing the family, the Church and everything marking the difference between men and beasts.

I suspect that what happens here is the same of pro-abortion crimes. We have been "eucated" to look at prolifers as extremist and dangerous kooks, because exceptionally some oddballs who described themselves as "prolifers" - but with no direct and causative tie to any major group or Church - committed crimes against some baby-killer, but we hear nothing of the hundreds and hundreds of crimes perpetrated by pro-abortion militants.

(see for instance viewtopic.php?p=695049#p695049 , you can write Fr. Eteneuer and ask him how Human Life International documented these crimes. What I can tell you is that Fr. is rather tough to prove wrong or inaccurate on data, and that he works for a Church that doesn't wish to be impartial between good and evil. As a rule, it is the anti-family and pro-death crowd that is backed by the media and lies and violates rights and laws unpunished, not us).

"I thought that we will be gettiing an era of peace according to Our Lady of Fatima." (Kim)

The peace will come after the prophesied events. I feel like I am preaching to the choir.

Considering that most of the assaults lately have been by not on homosexuals, I wonder have our reps thought about protecting the rights of the religious.

Chrisitans are the only ones who seem to have no rights.

The media seems to lose its objectivity when it comes to reporting anything that would favor Christians. Why do they do that? Do they hate Christians or something? what other reason is there for this obvious "lack of objectivity"?

Oh come on. Christians in this country have the same rights everyone else does. This sort of nonsense isn't helping anyone or anything.

right to win.

If this were the Christians doing the same thing to any other group, the media, the Governor and every politician would be out speaking against it.

If this was any other group abused by Christians, you would not have heard the end of it in the media.

This is our president elects agenda, thus far:
Tax Americans like mad and spread the money to FOCA-loving homosexuals.

Needless to say, a Christian and Conservative such as myself is not impressed. And the guy hasn't even sworn into office.

Pray that God thwarts his evil plans in whichever way He sees fit.

Washington DC, Dec 10, 2008 / 04:48 pm (CNA).- President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden have officially invited the Lesbian and Gay Band Association to march in the Inaugural Parade. One of the association’s web sites reports that the group will also march in September as part of the homosexual “Southern Decadence” festival infamous for its public lewd acts.

"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," said President-elect Obama. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."

December 18, 2008
Obama Selects Evangelist for Invocation
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

Barack Obama has selected the Rev. Rick Warren, the evangelical pastor and author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, a role that positions Mr. Warren to succeed Billy Graham as the nation’s pre-eminent minister and reflects the generational changes in the evangelical Christian movement.

The choice of Mr. Warren, pastor of a megachurch in Orange County, Calif., is an olive branch to conservative Christian evangelicals. Mr. Warren is an outspoken opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage — litmus-test issues for Christian conservatives. In fact, his selection set off a round of criticism by gay rights groups angered by his support for California’s ban on same-sex marriages.

But Mr. Warren has also been one of the most prominent evangelical leaders calling for Christians to expand their agenda and confront global problems like poverty, AIDS, climate change and genocide in Darfur.

Mr. Warren flaunted his clout this year when he managed to draw both John McCain and Barack Obama to his Saddleback Church for a forum in which he interviewed them on stage about faith issues. He has sometimes angered the older generation of conservative evangelical leaders aligned with the Republican Party, as when he invited Mr. Obama to speak about AIDS at an earlier event at his church.

I think I would refuse such an invitation.

How does history view the chaplains of Hitler's inaugurations?

In a country with a high divorce rate and plenty of problems with heterosexual marriages, it seems we could be focussing our energies on helping those couples who are in need of healing, not battering and targeting this particular group of people. If 2 loving, caring people want to adopt a child and provide a good home, what's the problem? I respect your opinion and appreciate your reply, as always, but sorry, I can't get behind this one.

This could have a significant negative impact on many types of military units.

What would be the political arguement not to?

I realize that GWB did not work to advance a same sex agenda, Obama will. But that is politics. The people were aware of this. Most, I suspect would favour some kind of civil recognition for same sex couples.

SCHULTZZKOPF
Post subject: Re: Obama administration reveals plans to advance gay agenda

Praise and Glory to the Father and Son and The Holy Spirit. God come to my assistance, Oh God make haste to join me. Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, May all in heaven and earth proclaim your glory and never cease to praise You. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

These evils will lead to events which have been prophesied by many messages and apparitions. Fight the good fight and choose your sides carefully for you will be judged by your actions and decisions. Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. Pray to St. Michael for protection and don God's armor. Pray continually for yourselves and those in most need of God's Mercy. Events will come quickly and there is little time left so say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day. Attend Mass, receive the sacraments, and have faith that good will most certainly triumph over evil. Do NOT worry about anything. Be a good scout and Be Prepared. There are many in our family and though we may be separated by miles we are together in spirit and prayer. Do not read fear into this message for if we are prepared spiritually there is nothing to fear. Know that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. We will get through it all and bring glory to God. No matter what happens try to remain in a state of grace and do the will of God. Pray. Pray. Pray. Give up things (fast) according to your state in life. Be Holy as your Father in Heaven is Holy and you will have peace and joy amidst fear and confusion. God's Mercy will still be abundant and blessings will continue as a sign that God has not abandoned the faithful. Many souls will be won over and saved, and there will be much rejoicing in Heaven. People will have time to choose and will make decisions which will affect their place in eternity. Things have to happen so other events will come to pass.

Ephesians 4:15-16
Let us profess the truth in love and grow to the full maturity of Christ the head. Through Him the whole body grows, and with the proper functioning of the members joined firmly together by each supporting ligament, builds itself up in love.

I doubt there will be any legislation that that will change things that much.

If hate speech legislation similar to Canada passes US congress

What would be the political arguement not to?

III. ARGUMENTS FROM REASON AGAINST LEGAL
RECOGNITION OF HOMOSEXUAL UNIONS

6. To understand why it is necessary to oppose legal recognition of homosexual unions, ethical considerations of different orders need to be taken into consideration.

From the order of right reason

The scope of the civil law is certainly more limited than that of the moral law,(11) but civil law cannot contradict right reason without losing its binding force on conscience.(12) Every humanly-created law is legitimate insofar as it is consistent with the natural moral law, recognized by right reason, and insofar as it respects the inalienable rights of every person.(13) Laws in favour of homosexual unions are contrary to right reason because they confer legal guarantees, analogous to those granted to marriage, to unions between persons of the same sex. Given the values at stake in this question, the State could not grant legal standing to such unions without failing in its duty to promote and defend marriage as an institution essential to the common good.

It might be asked how a law can be contrary to the common good if it does not impose any particular kind of behaviour, but simply gives legal recognition to a de facto reality which does not seem to cause injustice to anyone. In this area, one needs first to reflect on the difference between homosexual behaviour as a private phenomenon and the same behaviour as a relationship in society, foreseen and approved by the law, to the point where it becomes one of the institutions in the legal structure. This second phenomenon is not only more serious, but also assumes a more wide-reaching and profound influence, and would result in changes to the entire organization of society, contrary to the common good. Civil laws are structuring principles of man's life in society, for good or for ill. They “play a very important and sometimes decisive role in influencing patterns of thought and behaviour”.(14) Lifestyles and the underlying presuppositions these express not only externally shape the life of society, but also tend to modify the younger generation's perception and evaluation of forms of behaviour. Legal recognition of homosexual unions would obscure certain basic moral values and cause a devaluation of the institution of marriage.

From the biological and anthropological order

7. Homosexual unions are totally lacking in the biological and anthropological elements of marriage and family which would be the basis, on the level of reason, for granting them legal recognition. Such unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race. The possibility of using recently discovered methods of artificial reproduction, beyond involv- ing a grave lack of respect for human dignity,(15) does nothing to alter this inadequacy.

Homosexual unions are also totally lacking in the conjugal dimension, which represents the human and ordered form of sexuality. Sexual relations are human when and insofar as they express and promote the mutual assistance of the sexes in marriage and are open to the transmission of new life.

As experience has shown, the absence of sexual complementarity in these unions creates obstacles in the normal development of children who would be placed in the care of such persons. They would be deprived of the experience of either fatherhood or motherhood. Allowing children to be adopted by persons living in such unions would actually mean doing violence to these children, in the sense that their condition of dependency would be used to place them in an environment that is not conducive to their full human development. This is gravely immoral and in open contradiction to the principle, recognized also in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, that the best interests of the child, as the weaker and more vulnerable party, are to be the paramount consideration in every case.

From the social order

8. Society owes its continued survival to the family, founded on marriage. The inevitable consequence of legal recognition of homosexual unions would be the redefinition of marriage, which would become, in its legal status, an institution devoid of essential reference to factors linked to heterosexuality; for example, procreation and raising children. If, from the legal standpoint, marriage between a man and a woman were to be considered just one possible form of marriage, the concept of marriage would undergo a radical transformation, with grave detriment to the common good. By putting homosexual unions on a legal plane analogous to that of marriage and the family, the State acts arbitrarily and in contradiction with its duties.

The principles of respect and non-discrimination cannot be invoked to support legal recognition of homosexual unions. Differentiating between persons or refusing social recognition or benefits is unacceptable only when it is contrary to justice.(16) The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it.

Nor can the principle of the proper autonomy of the individual be reasonably invoked. It is one thing to maintain that individual citizens may freely engage in those activities that interest them and that this falls within the common civil right to freedom; it is something quite different to hold that activities which do not represent a significant or positive contribution to the development of the human person in society can receive specific and categorical legal recognition by the State. Not even in a remote analogous sense do homosexual unions fulfil the purpose for which marriage and family deserve specific categorical recognition. On the contrary, there are good reasons for holding that such unions are harmful to the proper development of human society, especially if their impact on society were to increase.

From the legal order

9. Because married couples ensure the succession of generations and are therefore eminently within the public interest, civil law grants them institutional recognition. Homosexual unions, on the other hand, do not need specific attention from the legal standpoint since they do not exercise this function for the common good.

Nor is the argument valid according to which legal recognition of homosexual unions is necessary to avoid situations in which cohabiting homosexual persons, simply because they live together, might be deprived of real recognition of their rights as persons and citizens. In reality, they can always make use of the provisions of law – like all citizens from the standpoint of their private autonomy – to protect their rights in matters of common interest. It would be gravely unjust to sacrifice the common good and just laws on the family in order to protect personal goods that can and must be guaranteed in ways that do not harm the body of society.(17)

David:



It would be unconstitutional in the US. The US has very 'liberal' free speech laws (the most free in the world) and infringement on them is very difficult.

George Bush, while opposing gay marriage was supported of same sex civil unions.

Is there a substantive difference between civil unions and marriage? Or is this just playing games with words?

In a country with a high divorce rate and plenty of problems with heterosexual marriages, it seems we could be focussing our energies on helping those couples who are in need of healing, not battering and targeting this particular group of people. If 2 loving, caring people want to adopt a child and provide a good home, what's the problem? I respect your opinion and appreciate your reply, as always, but sorry, I can't get behind this one.

If 2 loving, caring people want to adopt a child and provide a good home, what's the problem? I respect your opinion and appreciate your reply, as always, but sorry, I can't get behind this one.