Same-sex marriage bill seeks a Valentine's Day vote
The Illinois Senate may take the first step down the aisle towards legalizing same-sex marriage on Valentine's Day according to Senate President John Cullerton at a meeting with the Sun-Times editorial board on Thursday, January 30. http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2013/02/same-sex-marriage-bill-to-be-voted-on-valentines-day-in-illinois-senate.html
The debate over same-sex "marriage" has unfolded across America for the past several years. It's now heating up here in Illinois. In the minds of many who ascribe to Judeo-Christian values, marriage is an institution created by God. Government cannot redefine it. Marriage exists not only for the benefit of couples but also for the care of the next generation. As such the issue of same-sex marriage must be given urgent attention here in Illinois, in spite of Illinois's recent credit downgrade and its horrendous pension problem which seems insurmountable given that Democrats control policy here in Illinois.
It was just a little over a year ago when the Illinois created civil unions for those in same-sex relationships by passing the "Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act", forcing Catholic Charities out of foster care and adoption services in Illinois.
Strong forces including the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House and Mayor of Chicago are at work to move a same-sex "marriage" bill through the Illinois General Assembly. President Obama has also gotten involved by asking legislators to pass a same-sex marriage bill. http://chicagophoenix.com/2012/12/29/report-president-obama-asks-il...
The counterfeit "marriage" bill currently being proposed in the Illinois General Assembly (HB 110 and SB 110) would change the legal definition of marriage to accommodate those of the same sex who wish to "marry" one another and would likewise affect our children and our religious freedom.
The bill is disingenuously titled the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act." Its chief sponsors, State Representative Gregg Harris (D-Chicago) and Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) vowed and did reintroduce the bill almost immediately upon the start of the new General Assembly and are on a fast track to introduce the bill in tandem. Time ran out for Harris and Steans to bring the bill up for a full vote during the 97th General Assembly's lame duck legislative session.
Senator Steans hopes Illinois will become the tenth state to approve the recognition of gay and lesbian marriages. Nine state and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriages. Washington, Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage ballot measures in the November elections. http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/01/lawmakers-to-reintroduce-Illinoi...
Herein lies three very obvious reasons why same-sex marriage must be defeated:
1. Same-sex couples already enjoy all the same rights and benefits as married couples in Illinois under the civil unions law of 2011.
2. Children need both a mom and a dad. Marriage exists for the benefit of children. Social science research and thousands of years of history show that children do best when raised by their married mom and dad.
3. There will be significant consequences if marriage is redefined in Illinois. In other states that have redefined marriage, there have been profound consequences for those who express or act on their belief that marriage is the union between one man and one woman.
The following comes from a January 6th story written by Cardinal George in the Chicago archdiocese paper, "Catholic New World": http://cal-catholic.com/wordpress/2013/01/21/cardinal-george-illino...
"The nature of marriage is not a religious question. Marriage comes to us from nature." . . . "The State protects marriage because it is essential to family and to the common good of society. But neither church nor State invented marriage, and neither can change its nature. Nature and Nature's God, to use the expression in the Declaration of Independence of our country, gives the human species two mutually complementary sexes, able to transmit life through what the law has hitherto recognized as a marital union."
As with many bills, often what is hidden within the language of the bill does not become evident to the public (and legislators) until after the law is passed, i.e., Obamacare. Language in the proposed marriage bill would require that all churches make their property available for same-sex "marriages" even if it is in violation of a church's religious beliefs. Language states that if a church allows facility rentals or receives "a public benefit" it must make its facility available for a same-sex "marriage" or the celebration thereof or be open to a lawsuit. Understood is that every church has a tax exempt status and/or is allowed a "property tax exemption" under Illinois law, which is a "public benefit." http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=110&GAID=...
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI), executive director David E. Smith, is sponsoring a Defend Marriage Lobby Day on Wednesday, February 20th from 10:30 AM - 1:30 AM. when Illinois families from around the state will take a stand "for protecting marriage, religious freedom, parental rights, and the innocence of our children!" Suggested by David Smith is that churches organize to support this lobbying day to defend marriage. Check this website for more information about the IFI-sponsored Defend Marriage Lobby Day. A downloadable flyer is also available for distribution. http://illinoisfamily.org/politics/defend-marriage-lobby-day-feb-20th/
If you are unable to join the IFI in its Defend Marriage Lobby Day where legislators can be addressed in person, it is important to call your Illinois senate and house representatives to vote 'NO' to HB 110 and SB 110.
Walter White
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
So much hate. Such a small mind.
Bringin' Down Briarwood
5:26 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Ahhhhh, yes, another republican who probably b*tches and moans about the need for smaller government but has no problem with the hypocrisy of legislating morality.
Say "hi" to Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn for me, Nance. I hope life in the 1950s continues to treat you well.
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RB
6:51 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I saw the theme and hate right away before looking who wrote this, I guessed Nancy '14th Century' Thorner and I was right. I didn't bother to read the whole thing, so Nancy can count one less convert to her bigoted world view. It's really too bad some Republicans spend so much time spewing hate instead of helping solve real problems.
Just Sayin
6:52 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Nancy...Nancy...Nancy... Homosexuality flourished loooong before you walked this planet and will survive and flourish long after you are gone. You are attempting to do battle against something far more powerful than you are. Ultimately you will lose. I highly suggest that you spend what little time you have left doing something more personally meaningful. Perhaps well being checks for those in need. Volunteer at a hospital. They are always looking for folks to read to the elderly in nursing homes. Do something...anything tangible. But please...stay away from the children.
Vicky Kujawa
10:21 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
So, if two men marry, how will it be determined which one is going to be the woman, since the definition of a marriage is a union between a man and a woman.....? Just askin'.......
RB
10:29 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Vicky, you still don't get it and you and Nancy Thorner never will. The 14th Century is missing you!
"We the people, declare today that the most evident of truths — that all of us are created equal -- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall, just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone, to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth
J.Lyn
6:37 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Vicky, Merriam-Webster has expanded their definition of the term marriage, so you might consider expanding yours.
Walter White
6:29 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
I actually hope she keeps it up. Pandering to this kind of radical right wing trash helped the GOP lose the last 2 elections. So, by all means, fire up the base! And stay out of the White House for many years to come.
Vicky Kujawa
9:11 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
So by definition women and men are no longer different; gotcha!
RB
9:13 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Vicky, the dark ages are calling. You're simply arguing a point to irrelevancy.
J.Lyn
2:03 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Vicky, I was not discussing the definition of the words male or female, but the definition of the word marriage. You seem a bit too bent out of shape over this issue to be thinking straight. Calm down and look up the word marriage in a Merriam-Webster or Oxford dictionary. It means more than a union between opposite sexes.
Vicky Kujawa
12:15 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
RB, we already have civil unions for same-sex couples; that took way too long to happen and it should be nationwide, as gay people are taxpaying citizens here as much as any straight person is. The very definition of the word 'marriage' is a union between a MAN and a WOMAN, so I repectfully disagree with you. :) The Sun will never be the Moon.
Walter White
1:10 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Actually the official definition according to Merriam-Webster includes both opposite sex and same sex. So factually, you are incorrect.
Brian
1:47 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
This situation is easily solved by having churches keep the word marriage and the government can recognize everything as civil unions.
Vicky Kujawa
3:22 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
My copy of American Heritage doesn't mention that; but I heard that the new Bible editions have been changed to 'Adam and Steve' to appease the Liberals after much badgering.
Walter White
3:35 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
The 1952 version is now out of date, as are you.
J.Lyn
5:20 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Vicky, I just visited American Heritage Dictionary online, and yes, they state same sex as well, in some jurisdictions. I think you have an old dictionary. You might want to consider updating your reference materials before you can speak with any authority about word definitions.
Vicky Kujawa
6:32 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Regardless of these attempts to redefine marriage, I hope that this bill fails in this state (But I would be surprised if it did, considering the caliber of the trash that runs it). Churches should not be forced to give up their tax-exempt status for refusing to go along with things that are not in line with their religious beliefs. "Language states that if a church allows facility rentals or receives "a public benefit" it must make its facility available for a same-sex "marriage" or the celebration thereof or be open to a lawsuit. Understood is that every church has a tax exempt status and/or is allowed a "property tax exemption" under Illinois law, which is a "public benefit." ". As we are discovering with Obamacare, the devil is in the undisclosed details.