Thursday, November 6, 2008

Tolerance?

I have mixed feelings about posting this but we might need to be aware of what we're up against.
I'll be praying for protection.

Subject: HEADS UP - NO ON 8 SUPPORTERS NOT TOLERANT
'Gay' threats target Christians over same-sex 'marriage' ban'Burn their f---ing churches, then tax charred timbers'Posted: November 05, 200811:00 pm Eastern© 2008

WorldNetDaily
Decisions by voters in Florida, Arizona and California to join residents of 27 other states with constitutional protections for traditional marriage have prompted threats of violence against Christians and their churches."Burn their f---ing churches to the ground, and then tax the charred timbers," wrote "World O Jeff" on the JoeMyGod blogspot today within hours of California officials declaring Proposition 8 had been approved by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. Confirmation on voter approval of amendments in Florida and Arizona came earlier.The amendments in all three states essentially limit marriage to one man and one woman. In California, the measure states the only marriages "valid and recognized" in the state are those between one man and one woman.Thirty states now have adopted marriage amendments. However, in California, the vitriol appeared especially high since the state Supreme Court in May created same-sex marriage for homosexuals. Proposition 8 overruled the court decision, readopting the marriage definition California votersadopted in 2000.On a blog website, "Tread" wrote, "I hope the No on 8 people have a long list and long knives."Another contributor to the JoeMyGod website said, "While financially I supported the Vote No, and was vocal to everyone and anyone who would listen, I have never considered being a violent radical extremist for our equal rights. But now I think maybe I should consider becoming one. Perhaps that is the only thing that will affect the change we so desperately need and deserve."A contributor identifying himself as "Joe" said, "I swear, I'd murder people with my bare hands this morning."Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs for Liberty Counsel, called the statements "hate crimes" for their intent to create violence against someone based on their beliefs."This is not just a matter of some people blowing off steam because they're not happy with a political outcome. This is criminal activity," he said. "The homosexual lobby is always calling for 'tolerance' and 'diversity' and playing the role of victim. They claim to deplore violence and 'hate.' Here we have homosexuals inciting, and directly threatening, violence against Christians."On the "Queerty" website, "Stenar" asked, "Can someone in CA please go burn down the Mormon temples there, PLEASE. I mean seriously. DO IT.""I'm going to give them something to be f---ing scared of. … I'm a radical who is now on a mission to make them all pay for what they've done," wrote "Jonathan."Liberty Counsel's Barber said, "This is not free speech; these are 'hate crimes' under the existing definition. Imagine if Christian websites were advocating such violence against homosexuals. There'd be outrage, and rightfully so. It'd be national front-page news. Federal authorities should immediately investigate these threats and prosecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law."On yet another site, "Americablog," "scottinsf" wrote, "Trust me. I've got a big list of names of mormons and catholics that were big supporters of Prop 8. … As far as mormons and catholics … I warn them to watch their backs.""I hope they all rot in hell, those servants of a lying, corrupt devil! BAN RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM," wrote Angelo.One contributor went so far as to threaten to take out his frustrations on his own family."You want me to come back to Idaho for Christmas? Oh wait, my partner and I can't share the same bed? We can't show any affection or any outward sign of our love for each other? Well sorry family ... no Uncle Adam and all his expensive gifts and delicious cooking for you. Your childrens' presents will now be donations in their name to the equal rights organization of my choosing. As will their and your birthday presents, wedding presents, graduation presents, and everything else I give going forward."The writer continued, "Remember, I'm angry. And I'm strong from my years at the gym and really am ready to take my frustration out on someone or something."Barber said the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and "other leaders within the homosexual lobby" should call immediately for an end to such threats.There were suggestions of a different type of violence, too."Hope the gay waiters at their hotel p---ed in all the drinks they served these cretins," "Jake" wrote about protectors of traditional marriage."If you're planning a heterosexual wedding in California … be prepared for picketers. Designate someone to watch the parking lot … You're going to have lots of unexpected expenses. Add $500 to your budget for security. … Be prepared for the flowers not lasting to the reception or the tuxedos showing up two sizes too small or the music at the reception being a way too loud or the cake tasting a little funny," stated another threat. "Be afraid. Be very afraid. We are everywhere."Another even listed addresses of Mormon facilities. Mormon, Catholic and other religious groups were active in supporting the marriage definition."I do not openly advocate firebombing or vandalism. What you do with the information is your own choice," wrote Jeremy.

6 comments:

CaliforniaCrusader said...

Have you heard the latest news about the new No on 8 website? Check it out here. . .
http://californiacrusader.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/the-fight-continues-protests-and-a-new-no-on-8-website/

beetlebabee said...

I find it wonderful that other faiths have stood with the LDS church and not let them take the flak alone.

Los Angeles interfaith leaders voiced their support for the LDS church this afternoon, saying: “The peaceful faiths, families, educators, activists, and community servants who make up the protect Marriage Coalition are saddened to hear of the continued targeted attacks on the Mormon people during and after the conclusion of this fair and certified election. Like many churches, the family is the anchor of the LDS faith and it is no surprise that its members in California joined other faiths in giving everything they had to Proposition 8.“

It’s one of the more amazing things of this election, that so many faiths were able to build bridges and find common ground to stand on.

http://beetlebabee.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/pride-predjudice-prop8-rage/

April said...

Zoey I just wanted to say thanks for your comment on my blog, and for checking out my blog. All the information-well it's a lot of information. And I'll say to you the same as I told Emily, that you have a much more religious back ground, and more education on the subject. ...I don't know a lot of the laws etc...., all I really know is what I believe. But I think that your view is an important one because of all the background you have. Again, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hi - Are you keeping your blog going? We could use your help on post-Prop 8 issues.

Let me know,

Thanks,

http://standingfortruth2008.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

I've read this blog before and always kept my thoughts and opinions to myself because I didn't want to cause an uproar. But I've stayed silent long enough and to be honest, I am appalled with each and every person who thinks that voting yes on Proposition 8 would do any good for anything. I am a 20 year old, single, straight, journalist who just got back from doing work in Uganda, Sudan, and Rwanda for six months. While there I had time to think about many things, gay marriage included. After seeing all of the displaced people with nothing to their name, the thought of proposition 8 really began to bug me. Don't we have enough hate in this country and world already? Wouldn't some love do us all good? I don't get why people like you have to go and try to stop people from creating more love in this world. For most people, they vote yes on the Proposition because of religion. Let me be the one to tell you that religion is way overrated. If you are a religious person, fine, but keep it to yourself. Do you know how many people I saw with machete scars, bullet wounds, and amputated limbs? Do you know why all of these people were like that? War over RELIGION. So please do yourself and everyone else a favor, open your eyes wide enough to realize that your views are only putting us into a deeper hell. Our world is broken and I believe that love is our only hope of healing.

Andy said...

Steph,

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that there is a lack of love in the world. If you were here to see the way the debate played out in October/November, it would have been clear to you which side was motivated by love and which was not. The yes on 8 people were respectful and acted with integrity during the entire conflict. The no on 8 people responded with middle fingers, "f-you's", trespassing on private property to steal yes on 8 signs out of people's yards, vandalism of private property, and even vandalism of sacred church-owned property.

If the love you advocate just means letting everyone do anything they want, then you're not really talking about love. True love is principle-based:

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth".

This is the love shown by the religiously motivated supporters of proposition 8; those who want a moral society for their children to grow up in. This is the love that will save the world, not its counterfeit that says do whatever feels good and let others do the same and don't stand for anything.