Homophobes Given Another Reason To Hate California

The California Supreme Court decision that struck down legislation prohibiting legal marriage between same-sex couples has made a lot of people happy. I recently "officiated" at a commitment ceremony for two wonderful friends, who happen to both be women. I hardly told anyone, primarily because I work with one of these friends and she is particuarly protective of their relationship and is careful with whom she shares details of her personal life. Even though the company I work for is considered very progressive and extends health insurance and other benefits to same-sex couples, there are individuals who would stand in judgment. I love my family, but had I told them, there would have ensued the rolling of the eyes and an expression of "first it was those two gay men in Dallas--now she's taken up with lesbians--where did things go SO WRONG?"

But here's who I was absoutely DYING to tell: members of former churches in which I was Spouse-In-Chief who would count this as absolute that I'm on the express Chattanooga Choo-Choo to hell.

It was a perfectly beautiful day and I'm still amazed when people find another person they could imagine being with for the rest of their lives. If Colorado ever follows California's lead (uh huh), perhaps we can do it again, and I can use the phrase "by the authority granted me by the State of Colorado." The ground down south underneath the Focus on the Family compound would surely tremble then. I'm sorry--but spending just one day tormenting religious fundamentalists just isn't nearly enough.

By the way, graphic above is from www.someecards.com

Colorado Human Life Amendment

In 1992, Colorado became known as "The Hate State" after voters approved Amendment 2, which banned any law offering protection for employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation and was later overtuned by the Supreme Court. The 6th district of Colorado elected Tom Tancredo, Congress' most famous xenophobe, and the good people in Colorado's 4th district saw fit to send Marilyn Musgrave to Congress. She works hard for her constituents--that is if they are White, heterosexual, and conservative evangelical Christian. And then of course we have James Dobson and Focus on the Family.



Which is why it is not surprising that Colorado voters may have to decide about the Colorado Human Life Amendment--which would grant the same legal protections some Americans enjoy--to a fertilized egg. Mike Huckabee has of course endorsed the measure, saying that "Colorado has an opportunity to send a clear message that every human life has value." That is, unless you are a woman. Huckabee added that "passing this amendment will mean the people of Colorado will protect the sanctity of life from conception until natural death occurs." So does this mean the people of Colorado will start being more concerned about the number of Coloradoans who do not have access to decent health care, safe housing, or food? Actually, I think the definition of "sanctity of life" to Huckabee et al, is limited to existing only. Sanctity has actually little or nothing to do with quality of life.

If this affront to the innate value, sanctity, rights and freedoms of individual women is passed and becomes law in Colorado, it will be quite interesting to see how appellate "originalist" judges like Scalia and Thomas come down on a law that would have absolutely no Constitutional basis. whatsoever.

I Chant the Body Electric....all the Way to Hell

In the ever-lengthening list of things that godduggery wails and gnashes its teeth about, add teaching children yoga in public schools. Perhaps not as earth-shattering as finding out that Tinky-Winky is a big 'ol purse-toting homo, it seems though that all that mandatory chanting while stretching the body into sexually suggestive positions is tantamount to teaching Hindu in public schools and thereby violating constitutionally mandated separation of church and state. Of course, we all know how the religious right cherishes the establishment clause.

I wonder if it is really about promoting the religious beliefs of those hell-bound Hindus and not the focus that is placed on the human body (so prone to sin as it is). Just the names given to different yoga poses might cause some twitterpation in the heart and body of the chaste: Downward-facing Dog, Standing Straddle Forward Bend, Goddess Pose, Four-Limbed Staff Pose.

The benefits of introducing yoga into a public school phys-ed program include: reducing childhood obesity, calming students who suffer from ADD or ADHD, increasing flexibility and strength. Downside? Even "yoga lite" (stripped of pose names, chanting, referring to yogic breathing as "bunny breathing" etc) "goads young people into exploring other religions and mysticism."

However, fear not! Check out this Christian alternative to yoga.

Junk Mail

Not even a week into the New Year, and I've already received an e-mail from a friend urging me to sign a petition in support of bringing prayer back into public schools and that a posse of godless liberals are lobbying the FCC to prohibit religious programming of any kind over our airwaves. Did the State take control of public airwaves in the country while I was on break, or isn't it still the case that any wingnut can buy airtime and proclaim his or her godduggery to any and all that has the stomach to listen? Oh, and evidently some show called "Touched by and Angel" was cancelled because it was about God--not because it was a cringe-inducing, treacly and platitudinous steaming pile of crap.

Now, this friend who sent me the e-mail is as lovely and well-meaning as a person can be, but I fear that she may be like many lovely and well-meaning Christians who hear claptrap like "the Constitution was based on the 10 Commandments" and believe it to be true. So, I couldn't just delete the thing and let it go. Instead, I spent 15 minutes of my life that I'll never get back crafting a delicately worded rebuttal to the following e-mail bilge--the godless liberal that I am.

For your reading pleasure: the unedited text of the afore mentioned bilge:

Subject: Fw: Prayer in Schools.....!!!!!
Subject: Dr. Dobson and CBS ResponseDr. Dobson & CBS Response

Apparently we are to be allowed to watch TV programs that use every foul word in the English language, but not the word "God." It will only take a minute to read this and see if you think you should send it out DR. DOBSON'S PLEA FOR ACTION CBS discontinued "Touched by an Angel" for using the word God in every program. Madeline Murray O'Hare, an atheist, successfully managed to eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago. Now her organization has been granted a federal hearing on the same subject by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Washington, DC. Their petition, Number 2493, would ultimately pave the way to stop the reading of the gospel, our Lord and Savior, on the airwaves of America. They got 287,000 signatures to back their stand! If this attempt is successful, all Sunday worship services being broadcast on the radio or by television will be stopped. This group is also campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools! You as a Christian can help! We are praying for at least 1 million signatures. This would defeat their effort and show that there are many Christians alive, well and concerned about our country. As Christians we must unite on this. Please don't take this lightly. We ignored this lady once and lost prayer in our school and in offices across the nation Please stand up for your religious freedom and let your voice be heard. Together we can make a difference in our country while creating a way for the lost to know the Lord. Please press "forward", and forward this to everyone that you think should read this. Now, please sign your name at the bottom ( you can only add your name after you have pressed the "Forward"). Don't delete any other names, just go to the next number and type your name and state. Please defeat this organization and keep the right of our freedom of religion. REMEMBER: Our country was founded on freedom of religion and our Constitution is based on the 10 Commandments. Agree or Delete: Instructions to sign are at the bottom. PETITION FOR PRESIDENT BUSH PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

(I f you don't forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these names. If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyoneyou know. Thank you!!! To add your name, click on "forward". You will be able to add your name atthe bottom of the list and then forward it to your friends. Or copy & paste. TO THE 3,000TH PERSON: SEND IT ON TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS: President@WhiteHouse.gov