An unReformed, Conservative...
"foresees a day when Focus Canada drives Canada's social and moral agenda." - Darrel Reid B.C. Report (April 13, 1998)
“I think every Christian's under an obligation to change laws to reflect biblical values. Different Christians are going to try to change different laws, according to the call God gives them. You see Christians in all political parties. That reflects different understandings of what God's call is to us. That's a healthy thing. If the yeast congregates in one part of the loaf, it makes for pretty bad bread." - Darrel Reid, Then executive Director of Focus on the Family Canada.
Darrel Reid was previously Chief of Staff to Reform Party leader, Preston Manning, left the party in 1998 to become Executive Director of Focus on the Family Canada, the branch plant for James Dobson and his highly right wing Christian organization in the US, Focus on the Family. That organization was very instrumental in the re-election of George Bush. Prior to being Chief of Staff, Reid was director of research and policy for the Reform Party.
Tags: unReformed Conservative, Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics, Evangelical, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election, James Dobson, Focus on the Family, Christian Right
1.12.2006
UnReformed Conservatives - David Sweet
An unReformed, Conservative...
“There's a particular reason why Jesus called men only. It's not that women aren't co-participators. It's because Jesus knew women would naturally follow. Men, on the other hand, had to be called.” - Conservative Candidate David Sweet former President & CEO of Promise Keepers Canada - Rick Mercer's Conservative Cabinet
David Sweet is the Conservative candidate for the riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale near Hamilton. Last time out he won a sharply contested nomination there before the last election; this time, it was by acclamation.
When he sought the nomination the first time, his website underscored his six-year presidency of the Canadian chapter of Promise Keepers. This time, his website says only that he headed a "national non-profit organization." Promise Keepers, a huge and growing movement in the United States, describes its vision "to challenge Canadian men to discover the incredible life quest that God has for them as revealed by Christ and the Holy Scriptures." - from Valley Skeptics
I don't have a problem with the scriptures, just the way some people like to read them. Then again, seperation of church and state eh.
Tags: unReformed Conservative, Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics, Evangelical, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election,
“There's a particular reason why Jesus called men only. It's not that women aren't co-participators. It's because Jesus knew women would naturally follow. Men, on the other hand, had to be called.” - Conservative Candidate David Sweet former President & CEO of Promise Keepers Canada - Rick Mercer's Conservative Cabinet
David Sweet is the Conservative candidate for the riding of Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale near Hamilton. Last time out he won a sharply contested nomination there before the last election; this time, it was by acclamation.
When he sought the nomination the first time, his website underscored his six-year presidency of the Canadian chapter of Promise Keepers. This time, his website says only that he headed a "national non-profit organization." Promise Keepers, a huge and growing movement in the United States, describes its vision "to challenge Canadian men to discover the incredible life quest that God has for them as revealed by Christ and the Holy Scriptures." - from Valley Skeptics
I don't have a problem with the scriptures, just the way some people like to read them. Then again, seperation of church and state eh.
Tags: unReformed Conservative, Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics, Evangelical, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election,
UnReformed Conservatives - David Chatters
An unReformed, Conservative...
"When you go into the issue of homosexuals and lesbians, I think it’s in the interests of society to have the right to discriminate against that group of people. ... I think society has a right on that basis to discriminate against them". David Chatters, MP Conservative for the Alberta riding of Westlock–St. Paul.
MP Chatters was the MP that introduced Bill C-213: An Act to protect the institution of marriage. Chatters is the MP for the Alberta riding of Westlock–St. Paul. The Act was presented in October 2004 and if passed would have excluded gay marriages.
Mr Chatters picked up an endorsement two days ago from Vote Marrriage Canada who are endorsing candidates that are anti choice and want to roll back equality rights to marriage.
Tags: Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics, Evangelical, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election,
"When you go into the issue of homosexuals and lesbians, I think it’s in the interests of society to have the right to discriminate against that group of people. ... I think society has a right on that basis to discriminate against them". David Chatters, MP Conservative for the Alberta riding of Westlock–St. Paul.
MP Chatters was the MP that introduced Bill C-213: An Act to protect the institution of marriage. Chatters is the MP for the Alberta riding of Westlock–St. Paul. The Act was presented in October 2004 and if passed would have excluded gay marriages.
Mr Chatters picked up an endorsement two days ago from Vote Marrriage Canada who are endorsing candidates that are anti choice and want to roll back equality rights to marriage.
Tags: Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics, Evangelical, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election,
1.11.2006
Bush Wiretaps Catholic Masses
Catholic News dot org has some distressing news about Bush, here is a portion of the blog
Last year Catholic News dot org also broke news of Rollback OfferingTM Wal-Mart satire?
"During wartime, we really don't need to hear about Jesus fussing at Peter after he cut the soldier's ear off," said one official. "We also don't need to hear about all that turning the other cheek mess, either. What we need to hear -- and what the American public needs to hear during wartime -- is more about Jesus dividing households and such. You know, the eye for eye, tooth for a tooth passages." more here
Last year Catholic News dot org also broke news of Rollback OfferingTM Wal-Mart satire?
1.10.2006
Stand Up to Alito!
The polls are saying 40% of identified Democrats say dump Alito, 40% say let him in and the rest don't know.
The Washington Post gets a plausable response to this poll data from Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster. The pollster told the WP, "three factors have helped defuse what many thought would be a huge fight: the holidays, the dominance of other issues, and the lack of an effective and overarching argument against Alito by Democrats."
I couldn't agree more. The Democrats should be leaders here. Sure it would be great to find the "smoking gun" and some have been found, certainly enough to justify to a Democratic Senator that he or she has to stop his confirmation.
"A groundswell of opposition hasn't arisen," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for People and the Press, told the Washington Post, his organization's most recent poll showed that the Alito nomination is attracting minimal attention. "You're going to have to really get some significant news out of these hearings to move the needle in a negative way."
Moving the needle should not be the goal for the Democrats on the Alito nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States. Moving Alito out of the way should be. Fail to do this and you the United States of America moves one more step toward becoming the United Theocracy of America, a place not so unlike Iran, where diviation from the official thought can get you into serious doo doo.
How hard a concept is this for the Democrats? I am sure they get it. I am sure some will fight his nomination. What I am getting worried about here is leadership. Do leaders decide all things based on the latest poll. Think about that. Some pollster calls some poor guy about to sit down to his dinner and the phone rings. The pollster says do you think the Democrats should support the nomination of some guy named Alito to the Supreme Court. All the guy wants to do is get back to his dinner.
The Editoral in The Nation says it best ...
Killing the nomination is the best thing the Democrats can do for the future of America. Show you stand for something and what you won't stand for!
Bush, Politics, Republicans, supreme court, Alito, scotus, Gay Rights, Current events, Reproductive Rights, christian right
The Washington Post gets a plausable response to this poll data from Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster. The pollster told the WP, "three factors have helped defuse what many thought would be a huge fight: the holidays, the dominance of other issues, and the lack of an effective and overarching argument against Alito by Democrats."
I couldn't agree more. The Democrats should be leaders here. Sure it would be great to find the "smoking gun" and some have been found, certainly enough to justify to a Democratic Senator that he or she has to stop his confirmation.
"A groundswell of opposition hasn't arisen," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for People and the Press, told the Washington Post, his organization's most recent poll showed that the Alito nomination is attracting minimal attention. "You're going to have to really get some significant news out of these hearings to move the needle in a negative way."
Moving the needle should not be the goal for the Democrats on the Alito nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States. Moving Alito out of the way should be. Fail to do this and you the United States of America moves one more step toward becoming the United Theocracy of America, a place not so unlike Iran, where diviation from the official thought can get you into serious doo doo.
How hard a concept is this for the Democrats? I am sure they get it. I am sure some will fight his nomination. What I am getting worried about here is leadership. Do leaders decide all things based on the latest poll. Think about that. Some pollster calls some poor guy about to sit down to his dinner and the phone rings. The pollster says do you think the Democrats should support the nomination of some guy named Alito to the Supreme Court. All the guy wants to do is get back to his dinner.
The Editoral in The Nation says it best ...
And never in memory has a single nomination so threatened to redirect the Court as Alito's, which would replace the pragmatically conservative swing-voter Sandra Day O'Connor. Alito's opening statement before the Judiciary Committee is January 9, but his true testimony consists of fifteen years of rulings on issues from abortion to school prayer to immigration. That record demonstrates that Alito is at odds with the interests of ordinary Americans."
Killing the nomination is the best thing the Democrats can do for the future of America. Show you stand for something and what you won't stand for!
Bush, Politics, Republicans, supreme court, Alito, scotus, Gay Rights, Current events, Reproductive Rights, christian right
1.09.2006
Are the Democrats nuts!
The Democrats need to stop Alito from a seat on the Supreme Court. Need a reason why ...
The Christian Right and the Republicans fought darn near every appointment Clinton tried to make. They went after anyone that knew a gay person, read a book by a feminist, or said the world wasn't flat.
The Washington Post today in an editorial, "Democrats Ready to Go After Alito" suggest the "Senate Democrats are expected to attack Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. on multiple fronts at the confirmation hearing that opens at noon today, but their strongest ammunition is likely to come from the nominee's own hand."
I will beleive it when I see it. Too many Democrats are sitting back hoping the Republicans will sink themselves. The attitude that people will complain or see Democrats as obstructionist if they hold up Alito's confirmation is bunk.
The whole point here is to stop these people from getting to the Supreme Court. If George Bush wants to nominate someone that is not already in the hands of the Christian Right then lets talk. This person has the endorsement of the people that don't endorse anything unless it accepts the making of a theocracy.
Yesterday Howard Dean showed Democrats how to take on the media, how to address issues. Lets hope the democrats will stand for something. Be brave, the world is counting on you as is this Canadian.
Bush, Politics, Republicans, Democrats, GOP, supreme court, Alito, scotus, Religion, Current events, Christian Right,
The Democrats need to stop Alito from a seat on the Supreme Court. Need a reason why ...
"What we've worked on for 30 years, to mobilize people of faith and value in this country, what we've done through these years is coming to culmination right now," Falwell said at a rally on the eve of Alito's confirmation hearing.
"Now we're looking at what we really started on 30 years ago, reconstruction of a court system gone awry," Falwell said.
The Christian Right and the Republicans fought darn near every appointment Clinton tried to make. They went after anyone that knew a gay person, read a book by a feminist, or said the world wasn't flat.
The Washington Post today in an editorial, "Democrats Ready to Go After Alito" suggest the "Senate Democrats are expected to attack Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. on multiple fronts at the confirmation hearing that opens at noon today, but their strongest ammunition is likely to come from the nominee's own hand."
I will beleive it when I see it. Too many Democrats are sitting back hoping the Republicans will sink themselves. The attitude that people will complain or see Democrats as obstructionist if they hold up Alito's confirmation is bunk.
The whole point here is to stop these people from getting to the Supreme Court. If George Bush wants to nominate someone that is not already in the hands of the Christian Right then lets talk. This person has the endorsement of the people that don't endorse anything unless it accepts the making of a theocracy.
Yesterday Howard Dean showed Democrats how to take on the media, how to address issues. Lets hope the democrats will stand for something. Be brave, the world is counting on you as is this Canadian.
Bush, Politics, Republicans, Democrats, GOP, supreme court, Alito, scotus, Religion, Current events, Christian Right,
1.08.2006
The Christian Right is hot on the campaign trail
The Christian Right is hot on the campaign trail.
Pro Marriage (Pro Harper) Network and Vote Marriage Canada have endorsed former Liberal MP Pat O’Brien and Conservative MP Grant Hill.
Pat O’Brien added that Vote Marriage Canada was also endorsing Liberal MP Paul Szabo of Mississauga South, Dan Mailer of London—Fanshawe, and former NDP MP Bev Desjarlais of Churchill.
Vote Marriage Canada is dripping with former Conservatives like BC Co-Chair Reed Elley, Atlantic Co-Chair Elsie Wayne, Quebec Co-Chair Louis DeSerres and Grant Hill.
They have managed to highlight the Liberal connections as well given the endorsements to two Liberal MP's. Electing a Liberal is no guarentee that they will vote to keep marriage equality. In fact as many as 30 Liberal MP's and candidates are against marriage for gays.
Vote Marriage is well connected to a number of Christian Right evangelicals and Conservative Catholics. Never before have social conservatives been so active in an election campaign. They set out to get Conservative party nominations and they succeeded. They are supporting selected Liberal candidates as well as you can see from the endorsements.
On Tuesday David Mainse of Crossroads Ministry brings in Tristan Emmanuel as a guest on his evangelical TV infomercial, 100 Huntley Street, to discuss traditional marriage and I assume the federal election.
Emmanuel was instramental in securing Conservative party nominations in Nova Scotia for evangelical members. Given his involvement one has to conclude he also has a Conservative Party of Canada membership.
The Canadian Christian Right is just too well connected to the Conservative Party for any reasonable person to deny it.
Failed Conservative candidate and former constituency assistant to Reed Elley, David Quist has recently taken the position of executive director at the The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada.
This Institute will be the centre of the Christian Right's lobbying and political action in Ottawa. And given its connection to Focus on the Family Canada, you can expect it to be well positioned to take advantage of generous sums of funds from James Dobson and the American Christian Right. Their website is not fully operational yet as they direct you to something called Family Index.net.
-------------------
Now some quotes stolen from Koby.... For your reading pleasure, please send these anywhere you want. Its important people know what the Conservatives have said and who they are.
Tiny Tory Thoughts
Myron Thompson: “I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. I do not condone their activity. I do not like what they do. I think it is wrong. I think it is unnatural and I think it is totally immoral. I will object to it forever they attack the good traditional Canadian family unit that built the country.” (Hansard, June 15, 1995)
David Sweet: “men are natural influencers, whether we like it or not. … Its because Jesus knew women would naturally follow. Men, on the other hand, had to be called." (Christian Week November 27 2001)
Garry Breitkreuz: "In the 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence, now it’s a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government.” (The Leader-Post, March 3, 2000)
Darrell Reid: “The liberalization of divorce laws was the biggest disaster to hit Canada, short of common-law."
For more of the Conservatives, Evangelicals, Christian Right, Gay rights, Gay marriage, Stephen Harper, Tristan Emmanuel, Bishop Henry use the Technoratia search box in the side bar here and at From the Heartlands, Politics in BC, Canada and the USA.
Tags: Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, James Dobson, Politics, Evangelical, Focus on the Family, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election, Tristan Emmanuel
Pro Marriage (Pro Harper) Network and Vote Marriage Canada have endorsed former Liberal MP Pat O’Brien and Conservative MP Grant Hill.
Pat O’Brien added that Vote Marriage Canada was also endorsing Liberal MP Paul Szabo of Mississauga South, Dan Mailer of London—Fanshawe, and former NDP MP Bev Desjarlais of Churchill.
Vote Marriage Canada is dripping with former Conservatives like BC Co-Chair Reed Elley, Atlantic Co-Chair Elsie Wayne, Quebec Co-Chair Louis DeSerres and Grant Hill.
They have managed to highlight the Liberal connections as well given the endorsements to two Liberal MP's. Electing a Liberal is no guarentee that they will vote to keep marriage equality. In fact as many as 30 Liberal MP's and candidates are against marriage for gays.
Vote Marriage is well connected to a number of Christian Right evangelicals and Conservative Catholics. Never before have social conservatives been so active in an election campaign. They set out to get Conservative party nominations and they succeeded. They are supporting selected Liberal candidates as well as you can see from the endorsements.
On Tuesday David Mainse of Crossroads Ministry brings in Tristan Emmanuel as a guest on his evangelical TV infomercial, 100 Huntley Street, to discuss traditional marriage and I assume the federal election.
Emmanuel was instramental in securing Conservative party nominations in Nova Scotia for evangelical members. Given his involvement one has to conclude he also has a Conservative Party of Canada membership.
The Canadian Christian Right is just too well connected to the Conservative Party for any reasonable person to deny it.
Failed Conservative candidate and former constituency assistant to Reed Elley, David Quist has recently taken the position of executive director at the The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada.
The Institute, being developed under the aegis of Focus on the Family Canada, will ultimately develop a staff of close to a dozen people, working out of a commodious office a three-minute walk from The Hill. Quist is currently looking for good communication and research people who are familiar with public policy issues, particularly in the marriage and family fields. - Sunday Magazine, January 8, 2006
This Institute will be the centre of the Christian Right's lobbying and political action in Ottawa. And given its connection to Focus on the Family Canada, you can expect it to be well positioned to take advantage of generous sums of funds from James Dobson and the American Christian Right. Their website is not fully operational yet as they direct you to something called Family Index.net.
-------------------
Now some quotes stolen from Koby.... For your reading pleasure, please send these anywhere you want. Its important people know what the Conservatives have said and who they are.
Tiny Tory Thoughts
Myron Thompson: “I want the whole world to know that I do not condone homosexuals. I do not condone their activity. I do not like what they do. I think it is wrong. I think it is unnatural and I think it is totally immoral. I will object to it forever they attack the good traditional Canadian family unit that built the country.” (Hansard, June 15, 1995)
David Sweet: “men are natural influencers, whether we like it or not. … Its because Jesus knew women would naturally follow. Men, on the other hand, had to be called." (Christian Week November 27 2001)
Garry Breitkreuz: "In the 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence, now it’s a requirement to receive benefits from the federal government.” (The Leader-Post, March 3, 2000)
Darrell Reid: “The liberalization of divorce laws was the biggest disaster to hit Canada, short of common-law."
For more of the Conservatives, Evangelicals, Christian Right, Gay rights, Gay marriage, Stephen Harper, Tristan Emmanuel, Bishop Henry use the Technoratia search box in the side bar here and at From the Heartlands, Politics in BC, Canada and the USA.
Tags: Canada, Marriage equality, Gay, Gay Marriage, James Dobson, Politics, Evangelical, Focus on the Family, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper, Election, Tristan Emmanuel
1.07.2006
Soulforce finds more Hypocrisy - Lonnie Latham
In the wake of Pastor Lonnie Latham's arrest as the result of a police sting operation the issue of homosexuality and the Christian Right's hypocrisy is clear.
Soulforce is an organization trying to end spiritual violence against LGBT people. Robyn Murphy, spokesperson and director of public relations for Soulforce says, "Many people are attacking Rev. Latham for his hypocrisy, but instead we should be asking 'what informs that hypocrisy'?"
Murphy raises a good point. While Pastor Latham did in fact actively engage in supporting initiatives that denigrated and vilified homosexuality and gay people, he was obviously struggling with who he was against a monolithic brotherhood in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
The SBC is the second largest denomination in the United States. They have used their power and influence to roll back gay rights, to have marriage amendments made to state constitutions and to say it again, to vilify the gay community at any opportunity.
Latham of course participated in much of this. I am not sure he is gay, a few visits to a male prostitute hardly mean that. Of course this also brings up the matter of police sting operations.
I will have more on this later tonight. The experience of my partner, who spent years as Pastor in the church, in the the deepest darkest part of the SBC theocracy.
Update: My promised piece will not be available tonight. Trying for Sunday evening.
Here you can find, dripping with sincerity, links to the official statements of the South Tulsa Baptist Church, www.southtulsabaptist.org, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, www.bgco.org and Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, www.Baptist2Baptist.net
Religion, gay, Christian, Politics, Baptist, Lonnie Latham, Christian Right
Soulforce is an organization trying to end spiritual violence against LGBT people. Robyn Murphy, spokesperson and director of public relations for Soulforce says, "Many people are attacking Rev. Latham for his hypocrisy, but instead we should be asking 'what informs that hypocrisy'?"
Murphy raises a good point. While Pastor Latham did in fact actively engage in supporting initiatives that denigrated and vilified homosexuality and gay people, he was obviously struggling with who he was against a monolithic brotherhood in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
The SBC is the second largest denomination in the United States. They have used their power and influence to roll back gay rights, to have marriage amendments made to state constitutions and to say it again, to vilify the gay community at any opportunity.
Latham of course participated in much of this. I am not sure he is gay, a few visits to a male prostitute hardly mean that. Of course this also brings up the matter of police sting operations.
I will have more on this later tonight. The experience of my partner, who spent years as Pastor in the church, in the the deepest darkest part of the SBC theocracy.
Update: My promised piece will not be available tonight. Trying for Sunday evening.
Here you can find, dripping with sincerity, links to the official statements of the South Tulsa Baptist Church, www.southtulsabaptist.org, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, www.bgco.org and Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, www.Baptist2Baptist.net
Religion, gay, Christian, Politics, Baptist, Lonnie Latham, Christian Right
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