Liberal Christians Mobilize to React to Religious Right

[neomonkey]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/16/politics/campaign/16christian.html?ex=1255665600&en=cb69a30351ac7539&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 9 - The efforts of conservative Christians to mobilize voters against same-sex marriage and abortion and in support of President Bush have stirred a growing backlash among more liberal believers. And they are taking their cues from the religious right.

Members of the First Unitarian Society here, Claire Box and Linda Knox are part of a broad effort by moderate and liberal religious people to register voters, especially in swing states like Wisconsin and in poor areas with low voter participation.

One autumn morning, the women went to neighboring Madison Town and stepped out into the parking lot of the Maple Glen apartments, home to working-class and poor families, hoping to find new voters. In minutes, those people found them.

[LZ1234]

1. It's about time ...

Finally some common sense in the religious sector.

[murielm99]

2. The common sense has always been there. We just don't

hear about it.

For example, at least two dozen Christian denominations are pro-choice. And many of them have condemned the war.

If you put together the numbers of all the moderate to liberal denominations, they outnumber the talibornagain by far.

The media never mentions that. It is more fun to report on the antics and outrageous statements of Falwell, Swaggert, Robertson and the rest. We need someone to put them in perspective.

[JohnnyCougar]

3. Awesome

We can register 'till election day in Wisconsin. My state WILL NOT go red.

[W stands4 WARMONGER]

4. Gay by Birth or by Choice?

I have usually voted Republican, though always open to other parties. This election cycle affords me the opportunity to vote strongly Democratic across the board for the first time, largely because of John Kerry's superiority over George Bush.

This final presidential debate included a question that presented a weak spot in the Democrat position that, perhaps you're unaware, is a big turn off, practically a "deal-killer" for many of the tens of millions of religious voters. It seemed good to share my thoughts on the matter with you because I trust you are open.

Question: "Is homosexuality a trait one is born with or is it a behavior one chooses?"

This is a highly loaded question which, from the perspective of many, is just another way of asking:
"Do Civil Rights Laws affording special protections to Racial minorities apply towards granting special protections to those who practice homosexuality?"

To assert that homosexuality is a birth trait (that must, therefore, be welcomed) flies in the face of predominant Christian teaching: a certain deal-breaker for 10's of millions of Christian voters.

To refuse to accomodate those who practice homosexuality is a major turn off for thousands of energetic, Democratic, homosexual activists.

Kerry could have navigated that perilous strait best by saying:
"The question of whether homosexuality is a birth trait or a chosen behavior is being contested in Religion, Philosophy and Science. But we know this for certain: that our Country was founded on the self-evident truths that 'All Men Are Created Equal,' equal in value before God, and that 'they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights,' inseparable Rights, Rights that include Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness, the Bill of Rights, and many more we are still discovering. Regardless of whether or not one is destined from birth to practice homosexuality, our Country's legal foundation provides no basis for failing to secure the God-Given Rights of any person because he or she engages in homosexual relations."

This simple statement threads the needle in a way that assures Gay persons of governmental protections of the Rights we have all received while assuaging the fears of Christians that Kerry will push a Gay agenda that mocks the Faith of Jesus Christ.

I believe the prudent course here is to limit comments about it strictly to the legal, governmental dimension - leave the philosophic, scientific, or religious dimensions to the experts in such vocations.

A contender for American public office should stick to the American legal code as his basis for saying simply:
"Whether homosexuality is a birth trait like Race & Gender,
Or a choice like Religion or Creed,
The basis of America's legal code, The Constitution,
provides no justification for failing to secure the inseparable, God-Given Rights of anyone
because he or she engages in homosexual relations."

(Try to avoid turning off millions when you pander to thousands.)