Effort to ax gay marriage law begins

Sign the petitions!

Let the People have their say!

Civil Rights is not a religious or political issue

Civil Rights are owed to each and every American Citizen.

Would these trouble makers have a petition drive today if all the Homosexuals and Lesbians who fought for our freedoms on the battle fields of the world had just stayed home?

Please think about that before you sign a hate paper to deny human beings their basic human rights.

Mainelyme will you please support a grass roots effort to allow Mainers to have more than one wife or husband?

bobsmith

You can have as many as you want, baby.

That's your business!

It is simply disgraceful that it is all right for gay people to put their lives on the line for their country but it is not all right for them to marry their partners. Not right at all.

The best thing about the gay movement is that MOST gay will not want to "produce" offspring. Unlike in the past when gay thought had be "normal" and bear children with the oppsite sex . Now they wont. So nature will take its course and the gene resposible for there BEHAVIOR will slowly disappear.

So please support gay marriage so it not be a issue for greatgrandchildren.

This isn't a referendum on gay marriage. It is a referendum on gay couples, on behalf of homophobic religious zealots. Their religion is an empty shell without their gay scapegoats.

Rise up against the ignorant pigs, and keep marriage equality for everyone!

Mainelyme:

Re 11 PM.......That's funny!

FlesSF:

Yes, and they (Muttyof the Catholic Diocese) and Emrich,etc. are urging people to meet with their neighbors over coffee and get those signatures,etc. You know, be all neighborly and friendly.....as long as your neighbors aren't gay!!

Sorry...meant FlexSF

I doubt they'll get any signatures from anybody but their own kind

People just don't want to get involved in anything

And a signature is a very personal thing

When is the petition effort to end the 50% heterosexual divorce rate starting up? I'll gladly sign that petition.

mainejeff:

Ha ha ha........good point!!

Mainelyme: Please tell me what is wrong about my statement.....Its natures way? Think about it, before you quickly discredit.

Please support gay marriage !!!!!!!!

Should gay people have to pay local taxes to support schools when most don't even have children? That seems pretty unfair that they are not able to get married but have to support the kids of some of the heterosexuals that won't allow them to marry, no?

Who pays more into society's till but gets very little back?

Why would religious conservatives worry about gay people destroying marriage? Do they think that gay people just magically appeared this year? Is spousal abuse, child abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, extramarital affairs, and murderous husbands/wives the fault of gay people?

mainejeff:

It is just a matter of time before same-sex marriage passes. I hope this time, but if for some reason it does not, it will before very long. Most young people (and they are the future!) just do not believe in this kind of discrimination.

bobsmith

Would you say that Black people should be allowed to marry White people and in future the Black gene will have disappeared?

I'm sure there are just as many people who enjoy being Gay as there are those who enjoy being Black

As a matter of fact, I'm sure there are many many people who enjoy being all three at the same time.

June 6 or 7, I can sign. no need to babble a comment here, or create a chuck a homo bridge in downtown bangor. This question is personal, I am homophobic, I have even tried to understand, and ya know what, God intervenes. Amen. Gay needs no defense mainelyme if they are such great defenders...I could prove otherwise as a disabled man, but no, I believe real people and real law will fix this. Baldacci makes me sick.

Mainelyme: Yes the white gene will disappear as well as all the other races genes. I glad you understand that point, just as "natural" blond color hair is disappearing. The point being, the amount of gay people that have and will reproduced have dropped. Thanks to the gay movement young gays dont have to be married to the oppsite sex and produce offspring because it was the "right" thing to do. So doesnt it make sense to make the point that the gay gene will disappear because the majority of gays will not pass along their genes?

Please support gay marriage!!

bxr3main.......You said that you wouldn't babble and you did.

Funny thing is.....no matter what happens, gay people will still exist and carry on with their lives and some straight people will still be in bad marriages and get divorced.

bobsmith.......Your misguided "hope" is flawed. Gay children are born to straight parents all the time.

.

A Mirage maybe, but NOT Marriage.

Call it what you want, Personal Contract, Civil Union, But NOT "Marriage."

True Marriage is between one Man and one Woman for Life.

If gays are looking to get "equal rights" and services from the state, they need to use a different term for the charade.

It's NOT Marriage.

.

Mainejeff: Please understand the meaning of evolution, Yes the gay gene has been carried thought straight couples BUT if you understand evolution

the reason it was carried was that opposite sexs (10% gay) were producing offspring. SO now that gays as a whole are having less offspring the gene will be less and less passed on.

Mainelyme:you said" God created gays for natural birth control" That is the most cruel statement I have ever heard. So you are saying god values a gay person less than a straight.

Thats really a nice thing to write Mainelyme, As with most of the gay force if you dont agree with them they resort to being rude. This is not a facist country....yet

How can two people getting married end marriage? That is just plain crazy! Just remember this is a secular society not a society ruled by religious bigots like the Taliban!

Gays and lesbians didn’t destroy what marriage used to be, I understand Ronald Reagan and the feminist movement did it so blame him. All gays and lesbians are doing is jumping on a bandwagon that they don’t need to. What they’ve said they want is equality with heterosexual married couples and the only way to true equality for them is to change their sexual preference, marry and achieve the monetary benefits that married heterosexual couples get, and procreate. That would afford them equality. Aside from equality, what their underlying message was is to get all the monetary benefits that heterosexual couples get from government to insurances, as well as power of attorney rights for their partners. Well I say fight for that if that is what you truly want. There is no real reason on God’s green earth that a gay or lesbian person cannot, or should not be allowed to give and receive the benefits of monetary gain from a life-long partner, just as heterosexuals benefit from. No reason! Fight for that and you may even get support from the various clergy statewide. Otherwise, seek and ask for what you really want because in the end, no one but yourself can give you what is truly equal to what married heterosexual couples have, which when examined under a microscope is not really all that special since Reagan botched it in 1969.

Wow, my valid comments were deleted by BDN. Who do they think they are, Mainelyme(n)?

bobsmith wrote: "The point being, the amount of gay people that have and will reproduced have dropped. Thanks to the gay movement young gays dont have to be married to the oppsite sex and produce offspring because it was the "right" thing to do."

Hard to argue with this, but only because it is so utterly illogical.

mainejeff, single non-gay unmarried, childless people who live together and buy homes and share bills thats some of the who. We can't even write off the interest on our house loan, can't have lower auto insurance. Try life insurance on someone your not married to, they treated you like your the next Forensic Case File on tv.

Non gay couples who spend a life time together unmarried don't get monetary benefits either after the death of a partner. There is what is called common law marriage but thats b.s. because "they" say you have to be together for a certain number of years, well then so shouldn't married people before the benefits and shared insurances be applied. Since most marriages end before 5 years. But even if your commom law you can't write off your unemployed partner as a dependant, can't get lower auto insurance or tax breaks or death benefits.

I'm going to sign the petition and keep signing petitions until women and unmarried non gay couples get fair rights first, then minimum wage for politicans and a cut in the amount of politicans then the Indians because this was their land first and then the African Americans because they didn't choose to come here and then I'll think about gays.

bobsmith, "The point being, the amount of gay people that have and will reproduced have dropped." where so you get your statistics?

Scintillate, non-gay unmarried couples have at their disposal the choice to marry, gay couples do not. If you want all the benefits of marriage, then make the choice to get married, the law allows that.

Straight Couple For Same-Sex Marriage and Equality (who made the choice of marriage)

Mainelyme: I assume you will be the first to help me pass a law to marry my dog since you whole-heartedly support gay marriage and possibly poligamy! Heck, I assume you will gladly support a bill on my behalf to support me marrying TWO DOGS!

You go!!!, Scintillate at 6:29 AM.

Re scintillate 6:29 am, he's right, this whole problem could be solved if all of tax benefits / discounts related to heterosexual marriage were to be eliminated. Then everyone would be equal again -- gay, straight, married, unmarried.

Ain't gonna happen folks! There are too many heterosexual married couples to ever allow that to happen.

The whole "benefits of marriage" thing started when it was typically the husband who worked and the wife stayed home to raise the kids. We all know that's no longer the case. Times change and fortunately our Constitution was written so it could change with the times.

just mind your own dang backyard, and keep your nosy nostrils out of everyone elses..lets look in the church peoples backyards...what are they hiding??..adultry/drug abuse/verbal abuse/sexual abuse/??? so many..."so called real marriges"..got plenty of problems of their own..live and let live!!!

Have a glorius day!!! No petitioner wants to knock on this door...

Here's an amazing story of one Christian womans struggle with not only her daughter's homosexuality, but her own.

December News

In December of 1994, our daughter sent us a letter saying she was Bisexual and had chosen a female partner. My world fell apart. I could not read the materials she sent nor deal with her situation unless I brought my own past into the light. As I wrote to her, I shared a secret I’d never shared with anyone, pouring out a lifetime struggle with homosexuality and how God had changed my life.

When my husband Roy came home, I gave him our daughter’s letter and a copy of the letter I had written her. After reading them, he came to me, put his arms around me and just held me. He had never known of my struggle.

As of that year, I had not had an affair with a women for ten years. Still, over the next five months, I experienced confusion and depression over my past: my memories, decisions, and my sexuality. I began questioning what I really believed the Bible taught on this subject. God started to get through to me in May of 1995, as I began

To read the rest of this story go to the following link:http://exodus.to/content/view/627/150/

PHEW! Just in the nick of time too! I heard stories about a roving band Gay Banditos that sneak into your house at night and then sneak into your bedroom and well . .. have their way with you . . .and then after, the Gay Banditos gather on your lawn and high five one another while chanting . . "We have ruined another American family"!!

I think that after they ruin 10 families, all of the Gay Banditos get a new toaster oven!

Give it up folks . . .IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!

The "ex-gay" industry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57kdMfv-izY&feature=related

Can't pray gay away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfOrpNoCjos&feature=related

Sign the petition and get a free Ku Klux Klan robe...encourage five people to sigh up and you get to be the Grand Imperial Wizard for a week...find ten people to sign and you get to lynch a homosexual of your choice.

I beleave that homosexuality is a learned behavior.

OK people. Grind your axes!

No new gays!

No new taxes!

Never forget God is omnipotent and all things are possible through Him. Here's a another story of a man that came out of the homosexual lifestyle.

Why Was It Worth It?

by David Fountain

View a pdf of this testimony. Copies may be distributed free of charge.

Whenever I get the chance to share my testimony, I usually am asked if the struggle was worthwile. I never claim that any part of my journey has been easy, but it was worth it. I have always felt and known this, but at a recent radio interview I was asked, “Why was it worth it?” and I was forced to describe and put words to this feeling.

My story is not a story of self determination, but of why we need each other, why we need the church, and why we all need a Savior.

I grew up in a small town outside of Atlanta, GA. I was the youngest of five, one being my identical twin brother. Just like Jacob and Esau’s story in the Bible, my brother became my father’s favorite and I became my mother’s favorite. This was not intentional, but simply a way for my parents to share the responsibility of us. One could say that is where the problem began. However, there was so much more that contributed to my struggle with homosexuality.

to read the rest of this man's story go here:http://exodus.to/content/view/555/149/

ok for those wondering. We will get our signatures we need. WE WILL BE AT ALL AREA EVENTS. INCLUDING FOLK FESTIVAL WE WILL BE AT SHAWS WE WILL BE AT HANNAFORD WALMART AND YES WE ARE GOING TO DOOR TO DOOR. PLEASE SIGN

I'll be in line right behind you. With all 25 of my family members.

CHALK ONE UP FOR THE GOOD GUYS!!!!

March on christian soldiers, going door to door! Trying to impose your religious beliefs onto everyone else.

I do not understand why all the negativity toward signing a petition to bring the issue before the people. After all, we did live in a democracy. If the people against same-sex marriage win in the referenudum, which I believe and hope will happen, then the will of the people will have prevalied. If not then we have to accept that regardless of our personal beliefs.

I would think it should be voted on.

Just like they voted on the Racino's in Washington County.

The people who want this to pass seem either confused about what the bill actually does or generally don't like it, and are possibly still upset that the anti-discrimination bill was passed in 2005. That's a victory that some states have yet to pass. This isn't about whether or not gay couples can have kids or whatever, it's about choosing to discriminate against people and their way of life...very similar to discrimination against blacks or mexicans or pick your ethnicity. I feel bad for people that are so self-righteous that they cannot see past their own nose as to how to treat others or simply leave them alone. I'm sure that the people signing the petition will not set straight any delusions or misconceptions that people have about the law, i.e. "It will destroy marriage." I think that ignorance may actually work for them in that sense. Oh, but good luck getting 55k signatures in time without going out in public, the anti-school consolidation drive took longer than expected and they were out in public for quite some time. That petition made sense, this one you may have trouble convincing enough people. Although, I'm sure there are 55k people out there who will discriminate...because "it's just not right." Such insight these people have!

Betsy Smith , chief lesbien of Maine,..... Why did you lie to us when you said that domestic partnerships would not be a gateway to the marriage demand?

I am waiting for the petitions to bring back the stoning adulterers, the burning of heretics, and letting your fields lie fallow every 7th year. If we are going to let a religion dictate some of our laws, why not go whole hog and ban the wearing of leather (invest in suspender manufacturers), the eating of seafood without scales and pork.

I am still waiting for those pushing this petition to have one word quoted from the New Testament (the foundation of my Christianity) about the need for it. Was the Catholic Church not the denomination that hid pedophilia for years? Aren't the Baptists the ones who brought us Tammy Faye, her bi-sexual husband and a whole host of other cretins who show hypocrisy on the highest level? They all sang hymns together when times were good and then dumped those televangelists like cheap suits when the truth was revealed. Can you sat complicity?

I think the New Testament verse that applies here goes sort of " Why worry about the sty in my eye when you have a log in yours".

Happily married for 20 years last month.

I say live and let live... The gays are not trying to change heterosexual marriage, just to garner the same benefits for a committed gay couple, that "committed" heterosexual couples enjoy. I say clean up your own act, eliminate child abuse, spousal abuse etc that occurs in straight marriages and leave the gays to their own business.

My opinion is this has little to do with getting married and much to do with forcing society to accept their sexual preference as normal. Why else would we begin to educate our children about "Suzy has two mommies, and that's normal". What if I disagree with that? I'm a hate filled bigot. I can't force anyone to be a Christian or to accept my way of life but I can be forced to accept abnormal behavior as normal. Wait till the first Pastor refuses to marry a gay couple, or a church board refuses to have gay marriages in their building. "Call the Lawyers"! Then we will see what the real motive here is. Forced acceptance of abnormal behavior, is no different than the crusades. Instead of a spear, the weapon of choice is the word bigot.

What a shame that with all we have to do that is important, the bible thumpers have to resurrect this dinosaur. Makes me proud to be an atheist!

While I personally don't agree that gays should be able to marry, I say the heck with it! Let them get married. It will serve them right. I think that as a result, we will see a huge increase in Marriage license fees and sales taxes generated from all of the marriage ceremonies,receptions and bridal parties as the huge number of gays that have just been dying to get married, line up at the clerks offices to do so. (York County could solve their budget deficit in the first year) And since it would be legal and "cool" to get married, we will see a huge spike in revenue and fees. Then, since the gays will no longer be able to just leave that "life partner" they chose like they have been able to (similar to dating for most of us) there will be another huge spike in fees at the court-mandated Marriage counselors, divorce attorney offices and Juvenile and Domestic courts, feeding the coffers again.Then there is the FUN of being able to pay Alimony and (God forbid) child support while one party pays taxes on it and the other gets tax free income. I say this because it seems to me that even though this will most likely get repealed in a Peoples Vote, it will get overturned by the liberal left winged Judiciary that has doesn't seem to care what the Constitution says, so we just better get used to it now.

Where do I sign? So I can vote!

IT'S NOT OVER TILL THE FAT LESBIAN SINGS !

Turkeytalker: Read the bill! It protects religious freedom! Your church is free to operate anyway it sees fit!

It's not one way or the highway! Differing religious beliefs can coexist!

If anything, I bet churches that were formally against gay marriage, will eventually endorce gay marriage and want to cash in on the cash cow of gay marriage ceremonies.

For the churches that do perform gay marriages, will see a very big swell in their coffers, and in their members.

The gay issue is not a poltical issue or a cilvil issue it is a moral issue.

I am not a bigot or do I spread hate. I will not be bullied or allow ridicule or intimidation to force me to believe otherwise. Let's get it voted and over with.

Elizabethann great post @ 9:19 and I wholeheartedly agree....

Ridiculed? Bullied? Intimidated? What.....you don't like what gays have had to endure since the beginning of time?

This most certainly IS a political and civil issue! And it is based on religious ideology........yes folks, religion IS determining our government's laws on equality.

BDN - how about posting an email address or some other way of getting in touch with Pastor Emrich so that citizens could aquire the petition forms to use in their towns.

Pegasus...we do not live in a"democracy" which is a common misconception. We live in a Representative Republic...the people we vote in are supposed to represent us...all to often the do not and it is our responsibility to vote them out if they do not represent us...any one want to bet that we vote back in the same knuckle heads we do every year come November.

I doubt you will see many "large corporations" such as Hannaford, Shaws, etc...allowing petitioners to gather for signatures...many of these companies no longer allow Girl Scouts to sell GS cookie, etc...

President Clinton signed an Executive Order which has become known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Gays most certainly can serve in the military, but on enlistment the service can no longer ask them about sexual orientation and the inductee is not supposed to "tell" about their sexual orientation. If they do, the are discharged for the "good order and disciplian" of the service.

dkenzie77: don't come to my house with your evil....and don't ask me at any of the stores. all you holier thens make me sick

well searose but up a no soliciting sign because if the petitioners dont see it they will be on your porch and you cant have them arrested like mainelyme and jd think you can

If gays want to marry, let them. Who cares what WORD they use??? Union, marriage, united....WHO CARES???? It's not my business. Nor is it yours. Grow up people. It's JUST a word. Everybody mind their own business & the world will be a much better place.

Emrich said he is working with Marc Mutty, director of public policy for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, on the signature gathering campaign. Mutty said earlier this week that petitions would be available in parishes around the state the weekend of June 6 and 7 or June 13 and 14.

I hope that the catholic church in maine is willing to give up its tax exempt status for working so diligently on this clearly political issue. Just like the mormons should lose theirs in california. Great to have a point of view, illegal from the tax exempt status laws, to work to repeal or work towards a political end. I hope that someone is also challenging Pastor Emrich's status or his churches, if he is dipping his toe into the political waters. Great to have his opinion, different thing to use his pulpit to effect change politically.....

It will be interesting to see exactly how many informed citizens of maine will work towards repealing this law.

Rev Bob has gotten into bed with the catholic church

to see that the petitions get signed.. The catholic

church has covered up the greatest sins of all

time; the sexual abuse and of children by their own!

for decades!

~

Think for yourselves, look into your heart and soul.

Do you think gays are different spiritually? Is it their

sex that eliminates them from loving?

Marriage is about love and commitment. Gays, like

everyone, are equal in the ability to love and commit.

My husband and I, married 36 years, are pro gay

and equal rights, and have educated ourselves in

truth and understanding of gays and everyone.. We

are all equal in Gods' eyes.

~

Religion has it's own agendas. Some are good, those

that sow love and loving.. Agendas, that speak of people

not being equal because of sex or anything else, are not good.

But this law does matter I have been to to places where gays are allowed to marry. And they run the place like they own it. Do we need Maine like this. No we dont. Get a clue people. It will be overturned and gays will not be allowed to marry in Maine

LOL........and where is that dkenzie?

I've been to the South and the Baptists run the place like they own it........oh yeah that's right........they do!

Basically you cant be running around in an evening gown in the barracks carrying their M4 while making out with their platoon commander.

Gay soldiers run around in evening gowns? Wouldn't they get beat up?

You would think, but you never know . It is the new Millitary.......

Nothing ever happened to Mxwell Q. Klinger and he ran around barracks in an evening gown more times than I can remember.

dkenzie77:

Your comments sound good to others like you but you should know that businesses will not let you solicit for signitures that will hurt their businesses. Just like one said in this section,that they won't even let girl scouts do it anymore. So keep ranting and raveing to your followers, but they will be getting signiture within the churches and from door to door ,but you will probally see that most will not go door to door in fear of the responces they may recieve, or possible of being arrested for going on to private property when it is posted for no soliting.

Didn't he end up marrying a Korean? Wasn't that illegal back then?

Just ake away all church's tax exemption and we won't have these wacko churches putting out these petitions.

Yes I said WAKO churches, any church that gets involved in the political sense is a WACKO church and needs to start paying taxes so that we can keep the debts down. That would also prevent members from getting tax breaks for their donations.

Big business and religion (ie. the Republican Party) is the most twisted marriage out here. Seriously!

Are People Really "Born Gay"?

Caleb H. Price

Can someone really be "born gay"? Is there a "gay gene"? Does biology equal destiny?

Clearly, the controversy over this issue is huge in our culture. While pro-gay activists and their allies want us to believe people are “born gay” and that sexual orientation is an unchangeable characteristic like race or eye color, a closer examination of the scientific evidence reveals that the “nature vs. nurture” debate over homosexuality is far from settled.

At best, the evidence for a genetic and/or biological basis to homosexual orientation is inconclusive. In fact, since the early 1990s, numerous studies attempting to establish a genetic cause for homosexuality have not proven to be valid or repeatable – two important requirements for study results to become accepted as fact in the scientific community.

Because of this, the current thinking in the scientific community is that homosexuality is likely caused by a complex interaction of psychosocial, environmental and possible biological factors. And the two leading national psychiatric and psychological professional groups agree that, so far, there are no conclusive studies supporting any specific biological or genetic cause for homosexuality.[1]

In sum, there is no scientific or DNA test to tell us if a person is homosexual, bisexual or even heterosexual for that matter. And since nobody is “born gay,” it’s clear that sexual orientation is, at its core, a matter of how one defines oneself – not a matter of biology or genes.

Hang in there, everyone - this discussion is going to dominate the news until November - and likely beyond that.

, do all gay people believe that sexual orientation is “fixed” and unchangeable?

Not by a long shot. While it’s true that many homosexuals and their allies believe that people are “born gay” and cannot change, there exists a surprising – and not insignificant – minority of gays and lesbians who recognize that sexual orientation is, in fact, flexible. For example, Kate Kendell, director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, argued in the gay magazine Frontiers that sexual orientation is not fixed. And lesbian columnist and psychotherapist Jackie Black has said that sexuality is not static. Further, lesbian author Camille Paglia argues that homosexuality is not normal and that it is an adaptation, not an inborn trait.

taken from focus on the family website

bxr3main wrote: "I am homophobic, I have even tried to understand, and ya know what, God intervenes. Amen. "

Do you actually suppose that your god is telling you to discriminate, that gays are not 'real people' or to hate. Quite an interesting god you believe in. It is a dam good thing for you that the wingnuts are on your side of the issue or you would be the ones in danger. As we can see in today's news, if the christian taliban disagrees with you, they do so violently and with weapons.

Where are the petitions being circulated? Around Bucksport/Belfast area anywhere?

Iseenow wrote: "I beleave that homosexuality is a learned behavior." Yeah? Well so is spelling.

Westie, "God" spoke to me last week and told me to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. I had ham instead and you know what happened? Nothing.

Most recently, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force spokesperson Roberta Sklar admitted in an ABC news story that today’s young lesbians and bisexuals have a “more flexible view” about sexuality and see it as “a fluid thing.

Bring it! Make sure that the people sign two, three, and four petitions - so that their signatures are disqualified!

The same could be said of the "Christian Principles" expressed in these comments.

forHIMtoday wrote:

"And since nobody is “born gay,” it’s clear that sexual orientation is, at its core, a matter of how one defines oneself – not a matter of biology or genes. "

So . . . just going to ignore the many other physiological differences gays share? Best way to support YOUR argument is to pay no attention to those troublesome things called FACTS.

anonon where did you get your info. We have dates set already lol. Girl scouts sold cookies at stores i bought some , man your a idiot we have dates set at shaws and hannaford both. Look for us or are you gay and want this law

Thus, while no one knows for sure what causes a homosexual identity to develop, recent research confirms that permanent change is, indeed, possible. Pro-gay ally Dr. Robert Spitzer of Columbia University is now convinced that many homosexuals have successfully changed their sexual orientation. In 2001, he published results from a study of 200 gay men and lesbians who had sought “re-orientation” therapy. Spitzer found that most have been able to achieve fulfilling heterosexual relationships. While his research shows that such change often involves a long and difficult journey, it is nevertheless possible for highly motivated individuals

ACountian:

Bravo! Think you meant to say..."Can you say complicity?" Really!!!

Chris1943,irv4me: Right on. These are couples just as much as the "committed." heterosexual couples. And yes....why not more outrage over spousal abuse, etc.? Unbelievable.

JustMy2Cents: I know about that...."Don't ask, don't tell...".of course........it does not change what I said. I think it is beyond hypocritical. If people are "good enough" to put their lives on the line, they are "good enough" to marry their partners.

IM DONE POSTING ABOUT THIS, ALL IT WILL BE OVERTURNED AND YOU WILL SEE. LETS SEE BALDYS GAY FAMILY TAKE THIS AND CRY OVER IT

baltimoreanOn 6/1/09 at 10:37 AM

Ask DEW how he got out of the Navy.

Especially the facts stated in the sentence before that says there is no scientific evidence or DNA test that can determine sexuality absolutely. I guess personal assumptions are a much better basis to go by,

This actually makes a lot of sense-a selective reading of scientific fact and a selective reading of the Bible. Typical hypocrisy.

Even more recently in 2007, a landmark study was published by Drs. Stanton Jones and Mark Yarhouse which concluded that it is possible for homosexuals to change their physical attractions and that such efforts to bring about change do not appear to be psychologically harmful. Entitled Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation, this groundbreaking research has been hailed by experts from both sides of the debate as being the most methodologically rigorous to date

I bought Girl Scout cookies a year ago at Shaws (set up in the entrance.) I believe they still allow them to sell there, but not sure. As for these petitions....let them set up there or anywhere for all I care. I sure am not signing it!!

dennisouellette:

I am for the rights of same-sex couples. But what you wrote at 11:25 AM (partly in jest??) is , of course, no answer to anything.

westie:

No, God is definitely not saying those things!!!

Why do gays dress better, keep tidier homes and use Apple computers?

Hmmm......could Apple be the forbidden fruit???

Do churches kick out parents that abuse their children or each other......or do they tacitly approve?.....or do they just not get involved in people's private lives?

Mainelyme, I don't need to ask. Given the concern some of these folks seem to have with people being able to marry their pets I think it's safe to assume that the dishonorable discharge certificate included the phrases "conduct unbecoming an officer" and "dolphin".

dkenzie......Baldacci has a gay family? That's a lot of gays for one family.

And as more evidence of the fact that people can and do change their sexual orientation, Exodus International, a group of more than 150 Protestant Christian ministries in the United States and around the world, represents literally tens of thousands of people who have made the choice to walk out of their homosexual and bisexual identities. Similar organizations exist for Roman Catholics (Courage), Mormons (Evergreen), Jews (JONAH) and Muslims (StraightWay).

JD:

Someone who apparently can't read (and/or is a control freak) keeps saying that you said if a petitioner comes to the door of someone who does not wish to sign the petition , that the home owner/renter can have the petitioner arrested!! You never said any such thing!!

baltimorean: LOL !!!!!

Why is the religious right obsessed with marrying their pets?

How do gay people destroy straight marriages? Can someone answer that SIMPLE question? (or are there new talking points now??).

I think straight people do a pretty good job destroying them on their own.

Dew was in the Navy?????

Good for him.

I was listening to the Village people the other day while they were singing in the Navy....

That song kills me.

Even in the secular cultural arena we see evidence of well-known people who have clearly changed their sexual orientation. Examples of formerly gay-identified celebrities who reportedly have become involved in relationships with people of the opposite gender include actors Anne Heche and Julie Cypher. Apparently, the reality that people can change their sexual identity isn’t just a right-wing Christian thing.

Clearly, pro-homosexual advocates and their allies aren’t dealing with all the evidence in their insistence that people are “born gay” and cannot change.

JD: BACK ON FIRST POST WHEN THE NEW LAW WAS PASSED YOU SAID QUOTE UNQUOTE YOU WILL HAVE THEM ARRESTED. ITS NOT ILLEGAL TO STEP ON SOMEOENS PORCH OR BUSINESS JD UNELSS IT SAYS NO SOLICITATIONG. MY GOD GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT JD, YOU OR MAINELYME OR PEPSIFREAK WHICHEVER ONE YOUR GONNA POST UNDER NEXT BUDDY

The latest poll has estimated that Maine will get approx. 210,000 signatures (only 55,000 needed ) so the majority can vote and once and for all can terminate this gay marriage bill. There are too many unresloved issues in Maine without putting the fine people in Maine through this BS.

What are those unresolved issues Redneck?

You can pretty much figure if California overturned gay marriage then maine will.

Just the way it's going to be.

Then heterosexual marriage will be "safe".....right?

Why is that? Because I have a different opinion than yours?

Commentary: Whatever Happened to the Marketplace of Ideas?

Caleb H. Price

Anti-marriage protests are the ugly face of a pansexual ideology that will not allow for honest disagreement of dissenting viewpoints.

In the wake of the passage in November 2008 of three state amendments defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, pro-gay activists have unleashed a wave of protests not seen in America since the 1960s.

Christians in particular have come under fire for daring to support these amendments. Homes and churches have been vandalized, worship services disrupted, businesses boycotted, employees fired, donors targeted and intimidated, and individuals physically attacked.

Two groups that have disproportionately borne the brunt of gay anger in this witch hunt have been the Mormon church and African-Americans. Both communities were key to the passage of these amendments.

Sadly, this collective temper tantrum has been aided and abetted by the media. Throwing away any pretense of balanced reporting, they’ve marched in lockstep with pro-gay activists – regurgitating their talking points and rarely giving traditional marriage advocates equal time.

"Temper tantrum"??? Since when is seeking equality under the law a "temper tantrum"?

To all those who oppose gay marriage, can you tell me how your own personal marriage has suffered since the passing of this bill a month or so ago?

Again......How would/will gay people ruin straight marriages??? Can someone answer that simple question?

forHIMtoday:

1. why did you change the spelling of your name?

2. Caleb H. Price is not exactly an unbiased or impartial source.

3. homes and churches have been vandalized - where? You folks shoot doctors. Defend that.

Probably the most egregious example of this breathtaking bias was Newsweek magazine’s audaciously one-sided piece claiming that the Bible actually supports the case for homosexual “marriage.” Here, pro-gay revisionist theology is uncritically presented and biblically orthodox believers are bashed as ignorant bigots.

So what’s going on here? Since when does constitutionally exercising one’s religious views at the ballot box on an important issue like marriage call for the vicious reaction we’re seeing? Whatever happened to the marketplace of ideas, tolerance of differing viewpoints, and basic American decency?

forHIm at 7:50, and another Exodus employee. Where are the stories from hundreds/thousands? You keep posting employees or affiliates.

They'll throw the Bible at you.......that IS their defense.

"Revisionist theology"???........LOL. Yup the gays sure have that market cornered! The Religious Right never ceases to amaze me................

Mainejeff....the gay lifestyle is an immoral lifestyle. The marriage vow is a vow between God and two people. Marriage is ordained by God and acceptable in the eyes of God. Gay union isn't. You cannot throw an orange in a bag of apples and say they are all apples. That would be a lie. You'd have to name it something else. Simple as that.

dkenzie77

Maurice Fleckman

Danforth

I got your personal e mail this morning.

You said we're through

I answered, "Bi."

Check your e mail Maurice Fleckman

Just what part of through don't you understand?

Westie, I got a new internet provider and e-mail adress. BDN wouldn't allow me to use my old name saying it was already taken. I posted that info the same day, you must have missed it. As far as your other outrageous accusations, was expecting that, not even worth answering.

Elizabethann

DEW

How about calling it Holy Matrimony?

These protests are the ugly face of a pansexual ideology that will not allow for honest disagreement or dissenting viewpoints. And even though it claims to be all about tolerance and diversity, laws are coming soon that will enforce the politically correct view that homosexuality must be celebrated, embraced and affirmed throughout every arena of society.

Make no mistake: From “hate crimes” and nondiscrimination laws that enshrine homosexuality, bisexuality and “transgenderism” as protected classes to a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, it will soon be difficult for Bible-believing Christians to stand up for God’s created intent for sexuality, gender, marriage and the family.

.........that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Where do I sign? I cannot strike my pen soon enough!

4him....you do realize that "environmental" factors can consist of the fetus's exposure to certain hormones in the womb. These hormones can play a role in brain development. So yes, in contrary to a study done over 10 -15 years ago people can be born gay. I know people who knew they were gay at age 8 or 9. These kids dont "choose" to be gay, that is who they are.

dkenzie77 :

Yes I do want this law, and I would expect that everybody who does believe that same sex should be treated as equals.

IF HANNAFORD & SHAWS ALOW THIS, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO CHALLANGE THAT EVERYONE WHO IS IN SUPPORT OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND EQUALITY DO NOT SHOP AT THESE STORES AND SEE HOW MUCH BUSINESS THEY LOSE. I know in the Portland area they will lose a crap load of $$$$$$$. So if they allow you to solicit your petitions they deserve to lose business because there is a very large community of same sex couples in the Portland area. I hope they go to all the small mom and pop stores and give them their business.

got to love bdn, they remove my commetns but leave some arsehole as mainleyme up there

forHIMtoday wrote: "not even worth answering." how absolutely predictable of you; no bible verses to cover it? But wait . . . I'm wrong, there are bible verses to support murder. Why aren't you jumping on them?

Elizabethann.......No one is forcing you to compromise YOUR beliefs...........but YOU want to FORCE YOUR beliefs through laws that affect EVERYONE.

Have gays ruined your marriage? Be HONEST.

I don't get into the religious mumbo jumbo.......the relationship between an individual and their God is a personal thing IMO. I really dislike it when people force their religious viewpoints down our throats......especially when they do it through governmental control.

Hey gays - do you think Mainelyme is helping your cause?

Sledman........have gay people destroyed your marriage?

I am so sick of being called a "hater" for not agreeing with a liberal opinion. It is my right to have my opinion and express it.

But here the Liberals will soon try to make it a hate crime. Freedom of speech to them and whoever else agrees with them,

to hell with the rest of us.

David889327

YES!

Is Danforth Weston the guy that sells the scooter for old people?

Maybe that's the guy your looking for Mainlyme???

If it is you, Anne and Cher can get free scooter chairs. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. The legalization of homosexual marriage will quickly destroy the traditional family.

We’ve already seen evidence from the Scandinavian countries that de-facto homosexual marriage destroys the real Mc Coy. These two entities cannot coexist because they represent opposite ends of the universe. A book could be written on the reasons for this collision between matter and antimatter, but I will cite three of them.

First, when the State sanctions homosexual relationships and gives them its blessing, the younger generation becomes confused about sexual identity and quickly loses its understanding of lifelong commitments, emotional bonding, sexual purity, the role of children in a family, and from a spiritual perspective, the “sanctity” of marriage. Marriage is reduced to something of a partnership that provides attractive benefits and sexual convenience, but cannot offer the intimacy described in Genesis. Cohabitation and short-term relationships are the inevitable result. Ask the Norwegians, the Swedes, and the people from the Netherlands. That is exactly what is happening there.

It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! Where's the petition?

Hey David889327 - do you think everyone supporting equality is gay? Think again.

David........Do you REALLY think that someone is changing their mind because of what we write on this website??? Come on.........

Telefunkinu47 :

You people keep bringing up California, but what you don't realize is that California is about 5x the size of Maine with 5x the population,just because California did'nt pass does not men maine won't.

Anne

Chersully

SHE'S RAGING-SHE'S RAGING-SHE'S RAGING

And using all of her false user names to DEW i t under.

p.s.

He sent me a "Dear John" e mail this morning.

I wrote back and thanked 4him2day

viking........Who is trying to suppress your opinion? You have one and you expressed it.......end of story.

Westie, do you think everyone opposed is "religious"? Think again

Second, the introduction of legalized gay marriages will lead inexorably to polygamy and other alternatives to one man/one woman unions. In Utah polygamist Tom Green, who claims five wives, is citing Lawrence v. Texas as the legal authority for his appeal. In January 2004, a Salt Lake City civil rights attorney filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of another couple wanting to engage in legal polygamy. Their justification? Lawrence v. Texas. The ACLU of Utah has actually suggested that the state will “have to step up to prove that a polygamous relationship is detrimental to society” — as opposed to the polygamists having to prove that plural marriage is not harmful to the culture. Do you see how the game is played? The responsibility to defend the family now rests on you and me to prove that polygamy is unhealthy. The ACLU went on to say that the nuclear family “may not be necessarily the best model.” Indeed, Justice Antonin Scalia warned of this likelihood in his statement for the minority in the Lawrence case. It took less than six months for His prediction to become a reality.

Mainesurvivor

Why the big play for me?

I'm a Steve, too!

Calling all Norwegians, Swedes and Danish........we need your help! Please tell us how gay people are destroying your "traditional" marriages. Thank-you in advance!

Better yet........why don't we ask people in states that have had legalized gay marriage for a while now? They'll probably be more available and much easier to reach.

I saw that Mainelyme. I think it's too bad you are mistaken. As I have said, I enjoy reading yor stories.

FYI for all........California's population is 30 times the size of Maine.

4him, temper tantrums?? How about the murder of a doctor for legally performing abortions? How about the beating and disfiguring of men and women, some to death, for just being or even acting gay (two brothers arm in arm)? How about the rage that has been expressed here, the hate speech, the language, the slurs the name calling, the slams and negative talk about men and women who only want to marry?

So what’s going on here? Since when does constitutionally exercising one’s religious views at the ballot box on an important issue like marriage call for the vicious reaction we’re seeing? Whatever happened to the marketplace of ideas, tolerance of differing viewpoints, and basic American decency?

What about decency, tolerance, marketplace of ideas? You will not live and let live but DEMAND it from those you are ridiculing, excluding and slamming. Can you really expect that this will not come back at you in some way? If people continue to disagree about free and equal acess, do not agree with your narrow interpretation of morality, of right and wrong, aren't they too, within their rights in this decent country to continue to push for the rights they seek? Your high road has no room for disagreement and at last, gay and lesbian men and women are also taking from your play book and not standing for it anymore. Read some of these posts, Steevey Dee mocking a lesbian couple, denzenie, big foot, telefunk, all negative, even here, running in pumps etc. The religious right has been non-accepting, threatening, they have spread fear and hate and that has impacting the health and well being of gay men and women long enough. Sorry if people fighting for equal rights and not seeing their lives as sin filled bothers you, sorrier still that you continue to bash and push your christian agenda on us....turn a cheek will ya! peace

forHIMtoday; No, but I do think that it is the christian taliban roiling the waters.

forHIMtoday........Have any gay people destroyed your marriage? They've been in existence since the moment that you said "I do".

Why will gay marriage set the table for polygamy? Because there is no place to stop once that Rubicon has been crossed. Historically, the definition of marriage has rested on a foundation of tradition, legal precedent, theology and the overwhelming support of the people. After the introduction of marriage between homosexuals, however, it will be supported by nothing more substantial than the opinion of a single judge or by a black-robed panel of justices. After they have reached their dubious decisions, the family will consist of little more than someone’s interpretation of “rights.” Given that unstable legal climate, it is certain that some self-possessed judge, somewhere, will soon rule that three men or three women can marry. Or five men and two women. Or four and four. Who will be able to deny them that right? The guarantee is implied, we will be told, by the Constitution. Those who disagree will continue to be seen as hate-mongers and bigots. (Indeed, those charges are already being leveled against Christians who espouse biblical values!) How about group marriage, or marriage between cousins, or marriage between daddies and little girls? How about marriage between a man and his donkey? Anything allegedly linked to “civil rights” will be doable. The legal underpinnings for marriage will have been destroyed

Also California has 10 times as many gays and is more liberal.

Jspear don't get spun up.

I don't hate gays.

I do poke fun of them though.

I poke fun at ALL people, rednecks ETC.....

Anne

Chersully;

She's screaming in capital letters.

Time for David to start talking dirty.

MELT DOWN-MELT DOWN-MELT DOWN

ENOUGH WITH THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! WE ALL LOVE THEM WHETHER WE ARE GAY, STRAIGHT, WHATEVER! ANYONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES IS A DAMN LIAR!

The third reason marriage between homosexuals will destroy traditional marriage is that this is the ultimate goal of activists, and they will not stop until they achieve it. The history of the gay and lesbian movement has been that its adherents quickly move the goal line as soon as the previous one has been breached, revealing even more shocking and outrageous objectives. In the present instance, homosexual activists, heady with power and exhilaration, feel the political climate is right to tell us what they have wanted all along. This is the real deal: Most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to create an entirely different legal structure.

The only thing setting the table for polygamy is RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

Is forHIMtoday automated spam? I hate spam.

Ah yes marraige between a man and his donkey. I knew it was only a matter of time before that one came up. I believe mainejeff asked earlier why the religious right is obsessed with inter-species marriage and still hasn't received an answer. I sure would be interested to see that explained.

With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, and much more) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would “couples” be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed. If you doubt that this is the motive, read what is in the literature today. Activists have created a new word to replace the outmoded terms infidelity, adultery, cheating and promiscuity. The new concept is polyamorous. It means the same thing (literally “many loves”) but with the agreement of the primary sexual partner. Why not? He or she is probably polyamorous, too.

Liberal columnist Michael Kinsley wrote a July 2003 op-ed piece in The Washington Post titled, “Abolish Marriage: Let’s Really Get the Government Out Of Our Bedrooms.” In this revealing editorial, Kinsley writes, “[The] solution is to end the institution of marriage, or rather, the solution is to end the institution of government monopoly on marriage. And yes, if three people want to get married, or one person wants to marry herself and someone else wants to conduct a ceremony and declare them married, let ’em. If you and your government aren’t implicated, what do you care? If marriage were an entirely private affair, all the disputes over gay marriages would become irrelevant.” Otherwise, the author warns, “it’s going to get ugly.”

who is mainelyme, king of the Bangor Daily News??????Everyone bow down when they see him coming,,,, please can someone tell me this, if a same sex marriage had two 5 year old boys,, and the two same sex men wanted to seperate who would get the boys???

THIS SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS GOING TO SCREW UP THE WHOLE STATE OF MAINE,,, LOTS OF PROBLEMS COMING YOUR WAY

I've seen some monogamous heterosexual marriages that are already ugly.

And no one has answered the simple questions.........

How have gay people destroyed your marriage?

How would gay marriage destroy your traditional marriage?

Maybe some have become alcoholics because they watched Will & Grace? Maybe the Ellen Show lead them toward a life of heroin abuse? Did the spoken word of Barney Frank cause them to abuse their children? Did the sight on a gay couple walking hand in hand cause them to murder their spouse?

I don't get it........but then again, I don't consider myself a religious extremist.

With the legalization of homosexual marriage, every public school in the nation will be required to teach this perversion as the moral equivalent of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Textbooks, even in conservative regions, will have to depict man/man and woman/woman relationships, and stories written for children as young as elementary school, or even kindergarten, will have to give equal space and emphasis to homosexuals. How can a child, fresh out of toddlerhood, comprehend the meaning of adult sexuality? The answer is, they can’t, but it is happening in the state of California already.

forHIMtoday........Blaming gay people for a polygamy movement is laughable (and pitiful).

drc480........What are those "problems coming your way"?

Re: 11:33 post from forHIM, listen to what Dr. Robert Spitzer says, although change may happen, it is "RARE", he is uncomfortable with Focus on the Family's use of his study. He states that those who want to change should be aware that the likelihood of success is very small.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwE6_dLweYo&feature=related

, dkenzie77:

You may have dates already, as I said before IF HANNAFORD & SHAWS WANT TO LOSE A TON OF BUSINESS then they will allow the petitioners.

in Portland there are communities of same sex couples and they will be sure to take their business and money elsewhere to get food.

Adoption laws will be instantly obsolete.

From the moment that homosexual marriage becomes legal, courts will not be able to favor a traditional couple of one man and one woman in matters of adoption. Children will be placed in homes with parents representing only one sex on an equal basis with those having a mom and a dad. Even the polyamorous couples won’t be excluded. The prospect of fatherless and motherless children will not be considered in the evaluation of eligibility. It will be the law.

So many questions........so few answers from the Religious Right.

Their answer to everything is to quote scripture......and even then it is fuzzy.

Just a question mainejeff, and it's not to you personally, I just need an opinion. Why do people keep asking how this law will affect man woman marriages? Why does it have to affect a marriage for people not to agree?

forHIMtoday........You also forgot that the homes and yards of those in a "traditional" marriages will fall into disrepair, and become excessively outdated and ugly as these gay couples concentrate more on decorating and caring for their own homes.

free2bee, why should I HAVE get married? I do not want to get married, there will never be children involved in my current relationship and as far as I'm concerned you only need marriage for the children.

I don't wish to get married because someone always changes. Men think they own you and sometimes women think they own you. Someone thinks now that I'm married I don't need to do all the nice things anymore. Someone always changes and not for the better. It's happened to me and I've watched almost all my friends go through the same thing, cost going in cost getting out and then you have the emotional depression of being a failure to go with the bills.

No, it's not a choice for me, I'm not necessarily against gay marriage even though I thiink it's a foolish desire, I think there are more important issues.

Anne_of_mdi cut it out, the big picture maybe ,if the government would stop over taxing the crap out of everyone this wouldn't be such an issue. If they hadn't sucked S.S.I. dry for foolishness, neither would it be an issue. So support first in line and then we get down the list quicker.

jspear: BRAVO ! I am on my feet applauding.

Foster-care programs will be impacted dramatically.

Foster-care parents will be required to undergo “sensitivity training” to rid themselves of bias in favor of heterosexuality, and will have to affirm homosexuality in children and teens. Moral training, at least as it applies to sexuality, will be forbidden. Again, this is the current law in California.

Depends on how many credits it is.

The health care system will stagger and perhaps collapse.

This could be the straw that breaks the back of the insurance industry in Western nations, as millions of new dependents become eligible for coverage. Every HIV-positive patient needs only to find a partner to receive the same coverage as offered to an employee. It is estimated by some analysts that an initial threefold increase in premiums can be anticipated; even with that, it may not be profitable for companies to stay in business.

And how about the cost to American businesses? Will they be able to provide health benefits? If not, can physicians, nurses, and technicians be expected to work for nothing or to provide their services in exchange for a vague promise of payments from indigent patients? Try selling that to a neurosurgeon or an orthopedist who has to pay increased premiums for malpractice insurance. The entire health care system could implode.

Is it possible? Yes. Will it happen? I don’t know.

realist38......Thank-you for not attacking and asking a thoughtful question.

In my opinion, just because a person dislikes someone or something........that does not give someone the right to discriminate against a group of people through by putting laws on the books that affect EVERYONE. You can discriminate on a personal level........that IS your RIGHT and choice. Religious organizations are not (and will not) be forced to marry a gay couple or live a gay lifestyle.

I think that people need to be more honest and just tell it like it is........they do not like gay people and find it immoral and THAT is THE reason that they do not want to allow gay marriage. The gay marriage (or gay people) will ruin "traditional" marriage argument is B.S. and we all know it.

Religious freedom will almost certainly be jeopardized.

In order to get a perspective on where the homosexual activist movement is taking us, one can simply look at our neighbors to the north. Canada is leading the way on this revolutionary path. I could cite dozens of examples indicating that religious freedom in that country is dying. Indeed, on April 28, 2004, the Parliament passed bill C 250, which effectively criminalized speech or writings that criticize homosexuality. Anything deemed to be “homophobic” can be punished by six months in prison or by other severe penalties.

Pastors and priests in Canada are wondering if they can preach from Leviticus or Romans 1 or other passages from the writings of the apostle Paul. Will a new Bible be mandated that is bereft of “hate speech”? Consider this: A man who owned a printing press in Canada was fined $3,400 for refusing to print stationary for a homosexual activist organization.

4 Him @ 1:13. What is wrong with teaching tolerance to children? A 5 year old is not going to understand adult sexuality, be it heterosexual or homosexual. As long as it is age appropriate. Teaching about homosexuality does not make people homosexuals. Just like teaching people about Christianity, Judiasm, Quebec, Paganism, ect does not make a person a member of that society. It is about compassion and understanding.

forHIMtoday

"Religious freedom will almost certainly be jeopardized. "

===================================

Better you than them.

Scintillate, should we outlaw marriages for heterosexuals in their 50's because they will not likely produce children?

Or what about people who are infertile? Should they be denied marriage as well?

Censorship is already in full swing. Focus on the Family radio programs on the subject of homosexuality was judged by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission to be “homophobic.” The radio station that carried the broadcast was censured for airing it, and I have not been able to address the issue since.

Is that kind of censorship coming to the United States. Yes, I believe it is. Once homosexual marriage is legalized, if indeed that is where we are headed, laws based on what will be considered “equality” will bring many changes in the law. Furthermore, it is likely that non-profit organizations that refuse to hire homosexuals on religious grounds will lose their tax exemptions. Some Christian colleges and universities are already worrying about that possibility.

Re: 11:52 forHIM, I think you will find that the two females that were mentioned would be considered bi-sexual. They were with men, then women, then men. The orientation didn't change. Re: 12:42, who are you, Maggie Gallagher? Re: Polygamy, wasn't that in existence prior to this, like in the Bible? Geez, I think it was outlawed in the USA.

Elizabethann, What do we do with all the families that have been created through marriages not performed in the church, nullify them?

Sledman, nice try with the Gettysburg Address, but it is NOT the Constitution.

"A man who owned a printing press in Canada was fined $3,400 for refusing to print stationary for a homosexual activist organization. "

How horrible! I hear the same type of thing used to happen in the United States when restaraunts refused to serve black patrons down south! Oh the injustice!

I am automated spam.......beep beep beep - forHIMtoday

Isn't it sad when the Religious Right has to have to some little old lady typing regurgitated hyperbole all day? Poor thing.

Other nations are watching our march toward homosexual marriage and will follow our lead.

Marriage among homosexuals will spread throughout the world, just as pornography did after the Nixon Commission declared obscene material “beneficial” to mankind. Almost instantly, the English-speaking countries liberalized their laws against smut. America continues to be the fountainhead of filth and immorality, and its influence is global. Dr. Darrell Reid, president of Focus on the Family Canada, told me recently that his country is carefully monitoring what is happening in the United States. If we take this step off a cliff, the family on every continent will splinter at an accelerated rate. Conversely, our Supreme Court has made it clear that it looks to European and Canadian law in the interpretation of our Constitution. What an outrage! That should have been grounds for impeachment, but the Congress, as usual, remained passive and silent.

The BDN is loving life.......almost 4,000 page views!

So tell me forHIMtoday.........Do you speak in tongues (in your head) when you type that stuff? I can almost hear that Southern drawl as you type each word........

"America continues to be the fountainhead of filth and immorality, and its influence is global"

I know! What's even worse is that it is under the guise of Christianity!

The gospel of Jesus Christ will be severely curtailed.

The family has been God’s primary vehicle for evangelism since the beginning. Its most important assignment has been the propagation of the human race and the handing down of the faith to our children. Malachi 2:15 reads, referring to husbands and wives, “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.” That responsibility to teach the next generation will never recover from the loss of committed, God-fearing families. The younger generation and those yet to come will be deprived of the Good News, as has already occurred in France, Germany, and other European countries. Instead of providing for a father and mother, the advent of homosexual marriage will create millions of motherless children and fatherless kids. Are we now going to join the Netherlands and Belgium to become the third country in the history of the world to “normalize” and legalize behavior that has been prohibited by God himself? Heaven help us if we do!

This reticence on behalf of Christians is deeply troubling. Marriage is a sacrament designed by God that serves as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and His church. Tampering with His plan for the family is immoral and wrong. To violate the Lord’s expressed will for humankind, especially in regard to behavior that He has prohibited, is to court disaster.

This is getting silly. Another article about the same thing just worded differently. The same comments-luckily somewhat cleaner,now that BDN has cracked down- back and forth for weeks. Both sides fighting online, hiding behind names no one knows, over something that neither will have control of in the end... From the middle ground looking at both side's comments I for one can say that they both paint a nasty picture. I am sure that others agree... sorry.

free2bee: You're right, it's not the constituion but the fine words of wisdom are true nonetheless. But then again, this is not & never was about equal 'rights', that's a pretty lame excuse you've hung your hat on, it's about a whacked out radical special interst group forcing their BS on everyone else.

My pen's ready to end this agony!

oh yes, 4 him, heaven help you. Of the hundreds of thousands of parentless children waiting to be adopted, how many would you count in your body count of lost souls. Non better served or loved in a family with two moms or dads? Loved......not subjected to child porn or sexual assault or ambiguity, shown and experiencing love. Where is the outcry for those already born into single parent situations? Are they lost to you as well? Find them homes, find them love, open your christian heart to that multitude of sorrow. Why not allow gay men and women willing to offer stable, loving homes to these souls rather than foster care in a system already overwhelmed. Propagation is not the only assignment is it? What about support and help to your loved one, your spouse, your family, your sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, your aging parents? Doesn't god shine some light on those good deeds?

Read/watch these two posts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fs1af2J4DY

A similar one from the impact of gay marriage on religion in Mass.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJF5TREeliw

The existence of gay marriage has not caused the sky to fall in mass, there has been no impact on the marriage rights of others. It has only added that right to another group, legally, civilly, correctly. peace

anonon

It's funny you should say that

dkenzie77: and all of his other user names seems to know an awfull lot about the gay cruising scene.

And none of it seems copy and paste to me.

And no lol about it.

Sledman...........How is anyone "forcing their BS on everyone else"??? Are you going to be forced to marry someone of the same sex or dissolve your "traditional" marriage?

bobsmith wrote: Mainelyme will you please support a grass roots effort to allow Mainers to have more than one wife or husband?

bobsmith: you do realize that the same argument was being made back in the 1960s to not overturn anti-miscegenation (anti-interracial marriage) laws?

dkenzie77:

I can keep posting how you turned my sister to go towards lesbienisim,and that one of your good friends admitted that you were on here jerking peoples chains in the comment section and how gullable that they were ,and then in the evening your yanking something else in the rest are outside of bangor,hopefully nobody will even communicate with you because your just a liar and a closet case whos in hiding.

Iseenow wrote: I beleave that homosexuality is a learned behavior.

As someone once said, "Opinions are like (a certain part of the anatomy that can't be printed on this site) -- everyone has one, and they all stink."

Unless you can support your belief (spelling) with *evidence* few people are likely to care what you believe; it's just another stinky opinion.

JustMy2Cents------This is about your answer to chersully, I assumed that everyone knew that. But I had 5 sons in different branches of the service., so that's how I was aware. I didn't think the rules had changed. Anyway, thanks for your input.

I haven't seen this many post's since...............well, the last time gay marriage was brought up. Again and again and again and again and.............................

JD2008----So ,your saying it's all right to join the armed forces under false pretenses and out and out lying? So if their little secret gets out and their discharged, can they then sue for discrimnation? I find this very interesting. I know they were not allowed back a few years ago.

Viking is right. Yes, there is plenty of hate surrounding this topic, but if you can't disagree with being labelled a "hater," then it's impossible to have a civil discourse. That cheapens this topic, when some of its supporters fear any discussion to the contrary. Like the story about the transgendered access to public bathrooms, never think you have the only opinion that matters.

as they say every one has a opinion-here is mine,I do not wish to battle with any of you on this site,but I believe if they can get these petions out to most people in the state there will be no problem getting the roughly 50,000 signatures

nuff said,I am not going to spend hours fighting about it

dkenzie77 they own" it" as much as you do...and you have no right to keep " IT" from them "IT" is called civil rights....and anybody that thinks Gay is a choice...must think straight is a choice I know I didn't chose to be straight it just is the way it is.....

searose what the hell are you talking aboutj

Grade school must have just let out.

forhim, Canada already allows same sex marriage, OMG the sky must have fallen there already!!!!! I have several friends who have wed there, there was no lightening strike, they didn't bring pox to their families, canada still has christian and muslims and I think even a catholic or two and none of them have been sued or brought to do some "ungodly" ceremony. So when did Dr. Reid speak to you? How recently? Peter and Peter have been married for a long while now. Or is this just something else to fear where the reality is there is nothing to fear??? I hope that our supreme court looks to canada, they are doing it right!! Wait, I did talk to about 40 kids this year alone on their straight parents divorce, maybe THAT is what was being referred to in your 1:43 post.....not

I think forHIMtoday has completely gone off the deep end.

searoses, I believe that some people make it a choice. How else do you explain the moms and dads that spend 20 years with a partner of the opposite sex deeply in love and once their partner leaves them they end up finding a new partner of the same sex as them? It happens quite a lot.

Even Dick Cheney supports Gay Marriage.

"I think that freedom means freedom for everyone,"

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/06/cheney_on_gay_marriage_people.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/01/cheney-offers-his-support_n_209869.html

berquis...those who can make that choice were bisexual in the first place. Very often, they opt for the more socially acceptable route and choose a mate of the opposite sex. Then you see may them switching when they become single again.

jspear, do I think you have any real interest in knowing why I hold the position I do. Honestly, no I don't. I do not hate gays, in fact my wife and I used to hang out with several gay couples quite frequently in our circle of friends. There are still two that we are frequently in contact with. They are both very loving, caring people that always treat us with respect. We still sometimes stay at the home of one them when were down that way. Your wasting your breath trying to convince me that I'm hateful, it just isn't so. It doesn't change the fact that I find homosexuality immoral. It doesn't make me better than them. God loves us all equally. We are all sinners, every one of us. You will never convince me that homosexuality is right.

hahahahahahahahahaha NOPE. I don't buy it. Thanks.

I just do not understand the Catholic Diocese of Maine at all. Christianity is supposed to promote love and not hatred fear or bigotry. My firm belief is that the Catholism of this state are wanting to deny the homosexuals of Maine the right to marry because than it would mean that a community of people who for so long were 2nd class citizens would now be their equal. I also believe that as a gay man in Maine paying taxes and living just as any other heteorsexual in this world I should have the same rights responsibilities and privileges that so many heteorsexual couples are able to share. I am NOT 2nd class I am NOT below anyone. I AM however a living breathing tax paying equal to Michael Heath to Mr Mutty and to all other opposers of the marriage bill.

dkenzie..dont wanna come here....really..buster boy wont take kindly to people who judge others..and be looking in your pastors back yards..and I aint putting up a sign for no soliciting..beware of dog will do fine. OMG..the catholic church???..they have a nerve saying who can do what with others..look at their perverted record...oh nooooo....the gays are taking over Maine..lmao..you are nuts dkenzie.. dont let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya dkenzie..should i go to hannafords/shaws..maybe ill call first..if they support it..i wont go there..maybe ill call them now and ask if they are letting this happen lol baltimorean :)...forhim...alls i can do is chuckle at you..i am way more afraid of religious fanatics, than gays, i'll tell ya. looks like forhim is shoving his beliefs down peoples throats..and bendover...classic...loser..

Where do I sign?

amolocoamo, I agree you are not a second class nor should you be treated as one. You are however involved in immoral behavior that is not deserving of changing the God ordained institute of marriage.

ChristopherMaine:

Yes, Cheney does and has for some time. It is no secret but thanks for sharing.

amolocoamo:

No, you certainly are not a 2nd class citizen .....and yes, you are just as good and viable a human being as those you mention. Of course.

Therefore, you should be accorded certain rights and protections that signify that , in fact, you certainly are not a second class citizen.

baltimorean:

Re 1:03 PM.....It is absolutely ridiculous. How strong is their argument if they rant about something so out in right field??

what a waste of time...why don't you all use your energy on something useful..let the gay and lesbian community have the right to marry the one they love. What will it hurt? I think you all need to get rid of your old fashioned backwoods hick ways and live in 2009...its not 1950 anymore geesh!

forHIMtoday wrote: "..immoral behavior that is not deserving of changing the God ordained institute of marriage":

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...." -- U.S. Treaty with Tripoli, 1796-7

Funny; not a single Senator or Congressman dissented.

berquis...were you laughing at my post to you? If so, why?

Meagan, thank you for enlightening us by bringing us up to speed. What changed between 1950 and now?

Meagan, Meagan, Meagan. Bashing other peoples views will not help your cause. Maine won't discriminate remember?? It most certainly is NOT a waiste of time to a lot of people. Backwood hick ways??? Grow up.

And yes I spelled waste wrong. Must be my uneducated lifestyle that I have. Dang it all.

For those of you who are concerned about child - consider this story - hmmmm - a baby born from a heterosexual couple - from CNN -

Abandoned Newborn Found Inside Box

Search Under Way For Parents Of Child Abandoned In Ocala

POSTED: Sunday, May 31, 2009

UPDATED: 1:44 pm EDT June 1, 2009

A driver finds a newborn in a cardboard box on the side of an Ocala road.

OCALA, Fla. -- An image of a newborn who was found abandoned in a cardboard box on the side of an isolated Ocala road was released on Monday, and police continued to search for the infant's parents.

A driver found the newborn in a QVC cardboard box, along with a blanket, an article of clothing and a diaper, Saturday evening at the intersection of Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 24th Avenue in Ocala.

Police on Monday said the girl, who is about 3 to 7 days old, appeared to be in good health, although she did suffer some ant bites. Ocala police said the child may have been abandoned the night before being found.

The child has been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

"It's terrible that someone would do that. I would rather them drop (the baby) on my doorstep than to do that. Take (the child) somewhere safe. They say ants had got on (the infant)," said Lois Dowdy, who lives near the location where the child was found.

"It's very sad. It's very dangerous. There are snakes out here," said Florastine Lee, who also lives nearby. "A lot of dangerous animals come out at night that could have eaten up that child, and that child did not ask to come into the world."

"I really don't understand why somebody would do something like that to a child," said Ernest Cox, who lives nearby.

Ocala police were searching for a woman driving a gray pickup with a white topper who was seen in the area on Friday at about 7:30 p.m.

"I hope they find the parents and get things resolved," Dowdy said. "I think that child deserved better than what that mother did," Florastine said.

State law allows for an unwanted newborn to be left at a hospital, fire station or other emergency medical service station without it being considered child neglect.

, dennisouellette

Some of the published abusive stories of parents toward their children down here would give you nightmares

Givng birth doesn't make a father and mother

Giving love does.

dennisouellette:

Horrifying...and happens way too often.

forHIMtoday

What changed between 1950 and now?"

==================================

The Stonewall Rebellion of 1969 is celebrating it's 40th Anniversary this month.

Gays finally standing up for their rights changed since the 1950's and none of them are going to sit back down now!

I was just trying to prove a point to the "religious right" regarding straight people and children. I totally agree that giving birth doesn't make a father or mother.

Why didn't these people bring the child to the hospital?

"What changed between 1950 and now?"

Blacks are allowed to go to school with whites, the Voting Rights Act implemented codified protections designed to protect the right of minorities to vote, women have the right to choose and the right to privacy, employment discrimination based on factors unrrelated to qualifications was made illegal, the Red Sox won a World Series... those come to mind immediately but I'm sure I could keep going.

well so far dkenzie is not telling the truth...so far Hannafords will not allow this to happen...walmart is wishy washy...shaws says..they will get back to me..ill let ya know what they say..within 72 hours

baltimorean:

Great list of achievments and advancements.....what one calls progress.

really chersully, which one impresses you the most, the red sox winning the world series, or being able to chop up a baby and throw it in the trash?

How many adopted children do you have?

baltimorean:

Isn't it horrifying how that extremist murdered the doctor while he was in church and his wife singing in the choir? Horrendous.

It's absolutely despicable and what is just as disgusting are the people who will pervertedly try to defend this action by cherry picking scripture quotes.

dkenzie77....since I have been working all day, I just saw your comments about "what I said" on another post...I will say this once. Sorry, just like the licensing vs. certification of EMS personnel in the state of Maine you are again incorrect...I have no idea where you got that impression, what I did say was you cannot turn a hose on someone on your property, you cannot tear up the petition, rip it out of someones hands, etc....that will get you (the homeowner) arrested for assault and battery...Hope that clears it up for you.

Louise...it is not my policy...the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was signed by President Clinton...the policy has been in effect for 12 to 16 years at this point.

In defense of forHIMtoday, he did renounce violence several days ago. He is not in favor of hate speech or violence of any kind.

Seems strange that just because people want to vote on this, the gays get upset.......what's wrong with a vote!!

Nothing is wrong with a vote......it gives people a voice and allows us to update laws for the modern world rather than following the words of a book written by the hand of another man over 2,000 years ago.

Chalk one up for Mainesurvivor 12:43PM.

Civil Rights is a law

There should be no public vote about it

There's always the concern however of a law being a law simply because the majority approves of it. It's necessary to protect the rights of minority groups too. Think Brown V. Board of Education. I don't know how long it would've taken to integrate schools if it had been left up to local votes in the southern and midwestern states. The "tyranny of the majority" is just as dangerous as the "tyranny of the minority".

And I wouldn't want my rights to be subject to other people's votes.

True baltimorean......have some faith in the people though.........they're not ALL brainwashed.

Oh I know. I don't see it surviving a November vote.

Nice try but this is not about civil rights, it's about a law that did not go through due process and it's about a well funded radical special interest group forcing their agenda. My pen is at the ready to put the power of the people back in the hands of the people read: all people, not a 'special' group of people.

on gay marriage: 'Freedom for everyone'

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Delicious Digg Facebook Fark Newsvine Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print AP – Former Vice President Dick Cheney attends the Gerald R. Ford Foundation Journalism Awards luncheon at …

Slideshow:Dick Cheney Play Video Video:Gay marriage controversy in the US BBC Play Video Video:Thousands Rally For Gay Marriage In Calif CBS 13 / CW 31 Sacramento By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer Pamela Hess, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 32 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday he supports gays being able to marry but believes states, not the federal government, should make the decision.

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said in a speech at the National Press Club. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Cheney, who has a gay daughter, said marriage has always been a state issue.

"And I think that's the way it ought to be handled today, that is, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions. But I don't have any problem with that. I think people ought to get a shot at that," he said.

Cheney spent most of his speech, and during the questions and answers that followed, defending the Bush administration's wartime policies.

He said that the jail at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba was necessary because its prisoners are too dangerous to be held elsewhere.

"If you don't have a place where you can hold these people, the only other option is to kill them, and we don't operate that way," he said.

The 240 prisoners left at Guantanamo, he said, are "the worst of the worst" — including alleged Sept

Sledman...due process???? Hmmmmm.....seems to me they held one of the largest public hearings in recent memory...heard from both sides....then your representatives voted....as I said earlier, this is a Representative Republic, not a Democracy...if your representative vote for this bill, then it is your duty to vote them out at the next general election.

JD: If it went thru due process & it was what the people wanted then we wouldn't be where we are today, would we? Looking forward to signing for the people.

On the national news tonight....profile of the man who shot the doctor in Kansas. The ex-wife of this killer (who has been caught) characterized him as "absolutely OBSESSED with the abortion issue."

"Radical special interest group"....you have got to be kidding!! re 6:30 PM. Who are really the radicals and the extremists??? These are just human beings seeking some rights and protections.

Sledman, it did go through the "due process" used to create state laws. You may disagree with the process but it is how the laws of Maine are made. Not every law attracts so much attention that a petition drive is organized. The entire voting population does not approve or reject every single law made in Maine. In the event that the November vote does overturn the law, I'm sure we'll see an appeal made to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on some basis questioning the constitutionality of limiting the scope of marriage. That's how it happened in Massachusetts.

This is not a Civil Rights issue or a religeous issue. It's simply a morals issue. Sign the petition and let the voters decide, plain and simple.

What a way to ruin a nice supper! Wished I had never clicked in! I KNOW where I will be on Sunday - ink pen in hand!

This is crazy, Civil Rights are not something that should be put up to a vote. This is a republic not a democracy, if it were up to voters some southern states would still have slavery.

good point russelldodd, and interracial marriage would still be illegal.

Sledman

Mainesurvivor

dkenzie77

DANFORTH E. WEST

You dion't have to worry about being arrested on a morals charge

You don't have any.

Please get over Mainelyme

He's just not interested in you.

Mainelyme(n), the drugs and alcohol are affecting your spelling. Rest a bit and come back when you're hung over.

Sledman

Mainesurvivor

dkenzie77

DANFORTH E. WEST

What does your imaginary wife think about your obsession with Mainelyme?

Can you spell, "I'm just not interested?

Sledman

Mainesurvivor

dkenzie77

DANFORTH E. WEST

Furthermore; I'm always hung over

Pills and alcohol don't have anything to do with it.

Don't you wish you could make that statement, too?

This is also why it is important for Gay people to come out to their families. So many of these people that are anti-gay hold that view because they have stereotypical ideas of what gay people are like. Even Dick Cheney had his views challenged and changed by his daughter coming out to him. Gay people are not as different as many people seem to think. We must continue to come out to our families, friends, and coworkers. It is much harder to deny rights to a person that you know and love.

morals issue, morals issue, morals issue, morals issue. HAH! I'll put my morals up against ANY of the christian taliban's ANY DAY, ANY TIME.

westie

They have morals like Alley Cats.

That's why they want to save all the fun for themselves.

Mainelyme(n), try copying, cutting, and pasting. Someone else's words might describe your position better.

Mainesurvivor

Then I'd be like you 4Him2Day

westie, what is your moral guide?

If you copy and cut then you'll have eliminated the possibility of pasting

DumKoph

forHIMtoday

DANFORTH

Where's yours?

forHIMtoday

DANFORTH

I know

Down in back of Dakin's Sporting on Broad Street

That's Sporting Goods, but you knew that

forHIMtoday

DANFORTH

While we're on the subject

Are you still able to DEW it?

No, honey

That's not a proposal or an inviation

It is not your silly bible. But, if I had to force an answer in a short period of time, I follow the precept of "do no harm," love everyone, be kind, and accept those different from yourself. It is not just mouthing words; they are words I live by.

"That's not a proposal or an invitation "

The fumes from your boozy breath are coming right through my computer.

Either that or it's the smell of your dirty underwear.

do you think your being kind to me, someone you find different from you?

forHIMtoday, I am as kind to you as you are to me. Do you think you exemplify the christian teachings of love?

have I been unkind to you?

forHIMtoday, Yes, dear. Several times. Are you going to respond to my question.

You have yet to answer mine. Your own words just minutes ago: do no harm," love everyone, be kind, and accept those different from yourself. It is not just mouthing words; they are words I live by. I'll ask again, are you kind to me, someone different from you? Or are you just mouthing it?

I did answer you. Now answer me.

no you did not answer me. I will say I do not always show the love I should, but I do try too.

No, forhim, I am less than kind to you. I wish I could explain just how much you "push my buttons."

My intent was never to "push your buttons". This is an extremely difficult subject to talk about without offending someone. Feelings are going to get hurt. I ask your forgiveness for causing you pain.

See you tommorrow.

If one of these idiot bible thumpers asks me to sign their petition they are not going to enjoy the words that spew from my mouth. I'm not gay but I support gay marriage and I hate bible thumpers but then again most of us atheist hate bible thumpers who attempt to push their views onto everyone who does not believe as they do.

Bible thumpers should spend more time correcting and fixing their own problems instead of spending so much time trying to fix things that are not broke. Want to talk to yourself (pray) and worship your invisible sky wizard. Go right ahead but leave me alone. I don't believe in your so called god or the dumb little book called the bible that was written by people in huts thousands of years ago who had no sort of education.

Gays will not destroy the world if they are allowed to marry. They just want the same rights that I would enjoy if I was married. Nothing more, nothing less.

Don't use the example of interracial marriage in condoning gay marriage not the same. There is nothing morally wrong about interracial marriage. Another of the gay marriage movement tactics. Don't know how many times of seen that comparision. It is cannot be compared.

And there's nothing morally wrong about gay marriage Elizabethann. In fact gay couples adopt children, something we should be encouraging so that there is less abortion.

Rev Bob has gotten into bed with the catholic church

to see that the petitions get signed.. The catholic

church has covered up the greatest sins of all

time; the sexual abuse and of children! for decades!

~

Think for yourselves, look into your heart and soul.

Do you think gays are different spiritually? Is it their

sex that eliminates them from loving?

Marriage is about love and commitment. Gays, like

everyone, are equal in the ability to love and commit.

My husband and I, married 36 years, are pro gay

and equal rights, and have educated ourselves in

truth and understanding of gays and everyone.. We

are all equal in Gods' eyes.

~

Religion has it's own agendas. Some are good, those

that sow love and loving.. Agendas, that speak of people

not being equal because of sex or anything else, are not good.

The petitioning against same sex marriage is a

social hate crime. Straights for equal rights

for gays are also intimately aware of the

implications that can happen if the same sex marriage

law is not passed. It will mean than anyone can be dis-

criminated against. The 14th Amendment was enacted

to protect all its citizens not a select few..

As a society we must advance in positive ways that

encourage love and understanding. What will

preaching negativity against an entire gay and transgender

population do? It will cause hate and discrimination.

And yet, in truth, no person is better than another..

~

Church attendance everywhere is dwindling, the

reason could be that people are

thinking for themselves with love and concern

about others. Who really wants to sit in church

and listen to what amounts to communist propaganda?

In time there will be equality, with enough people

looking out for one another, equal rights will prevail.

The voice of the people, gays and friends for equal

rights for gays will be heard, in both church and

government.

the hot air that the gay rights people have been choking us with is all but evaporated.

it won't be long now and we'll have our signatures. bye bye, gay marriage in maine!!!

Chalk one up for the good guys!!

Hey karenlite

You know what else is dwindling?? The stability of our country and society in general.

Notice any parallels???

Isn't it obvious!!

Slavery was condoned through scripture, segregation was condoned through scripture, oppressing women was and still is condoned by scripture, not allowing inter-racial marriage was condoned by scripture, leaving one's family to spread the 'word' is condoned in scripture, genocide of ethnic groups and non-Christians was condoned by scripture, condemning others is condoned in scripture

Inter-faith marriage is condemned by scripture, divorce (except specifically for adultery) is condemned by scripture, judging others' sin when one is a sinner themselves is condemned in scripture, praying in public is condemned in scripture, public charity is condemned in scripture

hottubherbie, seems to me that some here place the blame on Eve, on women in general, on overbearing mothers and emotionally distant fathers. It's all a blame game. What do you blame it on?

Straight Couple For Same-Sex Marriage and Equality (Jack and Em)

Hey hotubherbie, So you're blaming the countrys ills

on gays and trasnsgenders? Or maybe it's just

your negitivity.. Now that's obvious!

As I stated before, Gays are just another special interest group that want to stay in the spot light to further their agenda. Where do I sign

Big difference in fighting for your country and getting married. NEVER dirty the name of our fighting men and women by making a foolish comparison

karenlite

that's nagativity dear!!

i'm blaming the countries ills on it's progression away from a practicing Christian Nation.

You're the one that brought up dwindling Church attendance, I just thought you'd like to be enlightened on the parallels that's all.

You really can't deny them, it's plain for all to see!! Even someone as blind as you can hear the bell ringing in your ears.

in case you haven't noticed, I don't see anything positive about killing babies, promoting perverted gay sexual behaviour, and degrading the values of traditional familes.

I'd say your agenda is the poster child for negativity and sociological malnourishment!!

What would you say dear??

re 6:52 am, I gather 4Plagiarism2Day is laying low because of the murdered abortion doctor story. Here he is using his alias hotubherbie to continue to advance his hateful, homophobic, divisive agenda. Notice how HTH links gay marriage with abortion. Would anyone else in their right mind see a connection there?

By the way, hottubherbie would be the correct spelling, with two t's.

BTW, it's all a liberal agenda anna, I'm sure you know about it.

This guy got what he deserved, I would shout it from the rooftops. People like me helped this guy pull the trigger, thank God no more innocent babies will be slaughtered by this demonic human being.

7:01 am, why do you address me as "anna"?

hottub, Thou shalt not MURDER

Abortion was NOT condemned in scripture, if a woman was attacked who was with child, if the woman died there was 'punishment', if the unborn child died there wasn't.

Straight Couple For Same-Sex Marriage and Equality (Jack and Em)

Go for it Maine, A marriage is between a man and a woman so say the law of the Land! Aine

f2b

that's a good one, I'm laughing my goatsack off.

you ar ea piece of work. you and your sister are both unstable.

I swear, you can't make this stuff up!!!

Hottub, Exodus 21:22-23

You know people are really getting in this matter just to stop marriage but u won't be stopping relationship's duhhhhh. In gods eye we r all equal. Whomever is inviting strangers in the home your taking a big chance of your life. Also when everyone signs there only allowed to sign one with proof there a person. How many live in Waldo county?? Hancock?Palermo? lol

f2b

please post the scripture you are referring to.

let's see what you've taken out of context.

try to convince me that God doesn't view a child a child at the moment of conception.

There will be a gathering at Palermo Church today for everyone who wants to agree in same sex marriage help petition :)

therefore sonny, if a child is a child at the moment of conception which it is, killiing it would be MURDER!!

hmmmmmmmmm......didn' tyou say something about murder a while back?? I hope you don't think that I'm the only one that can see through your lies and distortions.

free2bee expounding on the bible is like anne teaching ethics.

you said it.

This is a pretty funny sideshow. Will we have pencil-necked geeks eating live rats next?

It didn't take long for one of the christian taliban to support the murder of Dr. Tiller. Hottub (or HotAir, as the case may be), don't even try to pass yourself off as a religious person. You are nothing but a thug.

greens04952

Let's pray nobody brings a gun!

The name hot hotubherbie just doesn't seem to gel with religion.

What does he use a baptismal fount for?

He doesn't use it! The water burns!

safedman

They might accept the name Savedman or even Safeman and possibly even Sledman but safedman just doesn't make sense

But, then again, neither DEW all the other ridiculous phony names you use.

a thug is someone who murders innocent children.

get your definition straight westie.

On 6/2/09 at 7:02 AM, anne_of_mdi wrote:

7:01 am, why do you address me as "anna"?

===================================

Because he thinks he's "The King of Siam?"

Hey HotAir,

1. WATERLOO, Ill. (May 20) - An Illinois man accused of strangling his wife and two young sons pleaded not guilty Wednesday and was ordered held without bail. Coleman worked for Joyce Meyer Ministries, a Fenton, Mo.-based evangelical Christian group.

2. An evangelical preacher killed his wife several years ago and stuffed her body in a freezer after she caught him abusing their daughter, according to police and court documents. Anthony Hopkins, 37, was arrested Monday night at the Inspirational Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Jackson, Alabama, just after he had delivered a sermon to a congregation that included his seven other children, officials said. He faces charges including murder, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and incest.

3. A devout Muslim woman was attacked and stabbed to death, allegedly by her husband, after their 17-year-old daughter announced she was embracing Christianity, according to police and news reports. Obviously Dr. Muhammad Hussain is a very pious man.

4. A report states beatings and humiliation by nuns and priests were common at Catholic institutions that held up to 30,000 children.

5. A Romanian nun has died after being bound to a cross, gagged and left alone for three days in a cold room in a convent, Romanian police have said.

6. A Colorado man who works for Evangelical group Focus on the Family has been arrested after he solicited sex online from an investigator posing as a teenage girl, police have said.

7. Presbyterian skips prayer meeting and instead heads to a nearby Amish schoolhouse where he murders 10 children.

8. Federal investigators arrested Joe Price, a youth pastor and married father of two, at the New Tribes Mission Church in Orlando, Florida where they discovered roughly 6,000 images and 250 video clips of child pornography on his computer which he is accused of sharing with people across the country.

9. Carolyn Clark was killed while trying to flee church she called cult. Ralph Clark faces at least 28 years in prison for killing his estranged wife, who was trying to flee a church she claimed was more cult than Christian.

So, hotair, let's be clear on which side we find the whack-job, wingnut population. I posted a short list, but it is really endless. Next we can look at the extremely religious committing sexual abuse. Won't that be fun.

westie

great argument. you've outdone even you.

problem is you're not making any point. all this stuff is wrong, just like gay sex and abortion. it's all lumped together dude.

Can't you see that???

Can't you see who is committing these crimes?

I encountered your attitude before, HotAir, while I was still teaching. It is thug-ism and can be found in any 'hood. You helped that murderer pull the trigger? Sleep well knowing that the liberals do not engage in violence, only a war of words. Think what your life would be like if we acted and reacted as you.

westie, are you making the claim that the gay community is devoid of any wrong doings?

forHim, of course not. I'm making the claim that many atrocities are committed by the religious right and many of them are done in the name of their god. Are you supporting this whack-job who is gleeful about Dr. Tiller's murder?

westie, first of all there are many, many people that go to church that I would call anything but Christian. No Christian I know would support the killing of this man. Your assessment of all Christians by the actions of a few is quite harsh to say the least. To make the claim that liberals do not engage in violence, only a war of words is naive at best.