Religious Left

SB 48 is California legislation currently under consideration. SB 48, gives approval for LGBT inclusion into school social studies lesson plans. The bill also states that California instructional material must not reflect adversely on religion or race. At first glance this seems similar to many civil union/domestic partnership/et al laws which state no church will be compelled to perform such ceremonies. But I must ask, regarding the instructional material, why are only religion and race provided extra protection? This brings to mind a couple questions; are the American Indians considered a religion or race? no more teaching how the pilgrims tried to force christianity on the American Indians? no more teaching about the crusades? These 'special rights' SB 48 provides to religion and race seem unfairly limited. It seems to me, limiting the added protections to religion and race leaves a whole lot of other groups out of the mix. Interesting enough this proposed l...

Paul Haggis, best known for his Oscar-winning movies, “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash,” left the Church of Scientology after being a member for 35 years, citing many disappointments as his reasons for resigning. His issue with the church first stemmed from his appall over the support that the San Diego branch gave Proposition 8, the amendment that took away marriage rights from gay couples in California. Haggis sent a letter, displayed in the Los Angeles Times report, to Tommy Davis, head of the Church of Scientology’s Celebrity Centre International, elaborating on his grievances. “As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology of San Diego,” the letter begins. Haggis went on to write “Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate filled legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens of California—rights that were granted them by the Supreme Court ...

How involved was the Mormon Church in the passing of Prop 8? New evidence suggest they were more involved and provided more resources than they are admitting to.

Los Angeles -- Three protestors were hospitalized after being attacked by a group claiming to be Mormons attacked the peaceful protestors outside of a Mormon temple in Westwood. Read article View video

A blog has been setup which provides all the information and links necessary to file a complaint with the IRS regarding the Mormon Church's pulpit politics. It is commonly believed proposition 8 would not have passed in California were it not for the Mormon Church involvement. As I've stated previously obtaining a religious tax exemption and then using that for politics is unfair and against the spirit of law. Visit the blog which explains how to file a complaint with the IRS.

The Courage Campaign has released two new videos which you can view below. Visit their website for more information and please vote NO on Proposition 8.

by John Wildermuth SFGate The signs on the front lawn of former 49er quarterback Steve Young's Peninsula home say "No on Prop. 8," which normally wouldn't be much of a story in the Bay Area, a gay-friendly region which is the center of opposition to the effort to ban same-sex marriage in the state. But Young isn't only a Hall of Fame quarterback. He's also the great-great-great grandson of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon church. The church has pushed hard and publicly for Prop. 8 and Mormons have pumped millions into the campaign.

By Duke Helfand and Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers A week ago, Father Geoffrey Farrow stood before his Roman Catholic parishioners in Fresno and delivered a sermon that placed him squarely at odds with his church over gay marriage. With Proposition 8 on the November ballot, and his own bishop urging Central Valley priests to support its definition of traditional marriage, Farrow told congregants he felt obligated to break "a numbing silence" about church prejudice against homosexuals. On Thursday, Fresno Bishop John T. Steinbock removed Farrow, 50, as pastor of the St. Paul Newman Center, which primarily serves students and faculty at Cal State Fresno. "Your statement contradicted the teaching of the Catholic Church and has brought scandal to your parish community as well as the whole Church," Steinbock wrote in a disciplinary letter that also admonished Farrow against "using the Internet as a means of continuing your conflict with the Chur...

By John Canalis, Staff Writer Press-Telegram, Long Beach, California LONG BEACH - Rick McArdle, a self-proclaimed "street evangelist," disagrees that Proposition 8 would tread on the civil rights of same-sex couples. The member of Parkcrest Community Church in East Long Beach supports the Nov. 4 ballot measure that would ban gay marriage by amending the state Constitution. Just as they interpret Scriptures differently, Long Beach-area churches are not uniformly supportive of Proposition 8. "God loves all people, and we think all relationships of committed love between people are good," said the Rev. Jerald Stinson of First Congregational Church in downtown Long Beach. "We have, for many years, done gay weddings, just without the license, and blessed those relationships." Stinson said about 40 percent of his 500 members are gay, and that the church has taken a strong No-on-8 stance. full article

Written by Press Editorial Board Tracy Press, Tracy, California Proposition 8 would outlaw same-sex marriage by adding the following words to the state Constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Despite what this initiative’s supporters say, marriage and domestic partnerships are not the same — and this constitutional right doesn’t dictate health education programs for public schools. We’ve said it before in this space, and we’ll say it again. The freedom to marry is fundamental in our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech. Our laws should treat everyone equally. No on 8. full article

Reported by: Chris Vanocur ABC 4 News HASTINGS, Neb. (ABC 4 News) - Andrew Callahan is a member of the LDS Church but he thinks not for much longer. Callahan has been speaking out against a gay marriage ban on the California ballot and Callahan now faces excommunication. He says, "We're just wrong and we need to change that and I'm not going to stop when they excommunicate me and I am not going to apologize and beg them to keep me a member of the church." And in his likely last few hours as a Mormon, Callahan wishes that... "..Thomas S. Monson would stand up bravely - like Spencer W. Kimball did in the past - and say enough is enough." full article

Another year and another fair. Sunday, September 28th will mark 25 years for the Folsom Street Fair. Last year the Folsom Streen Fair made headlines with the "Last Supper" photo. Find out more about this years Fair at their website . Anti-Folsom religious groups are already on their way to protest.

By Walter Weeks , On Top Magazine California -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) is an often misunderstood religious minority (2%) in California, but figures out this week show the 13-million member church is having a huge impact on gay marriage in the State. Mormon members have contributed between 35-and-40% of the money raised to support Proposition 8 – the constitutional amendment that seeks to ban gay marriage in the State. Despite the huge anti-gay bankroll, support for the gay marriage ban has fallen since July. The poll reveals a majority of Catholics (55%) back gay marriage. Both campaigns in California have announced plans to spend approximately $20 million on the issue. Imagine the homeless woman, hungry man, or orphaned child that money might have sparred – wasted on a self-serving attempt to deny basic rights to Americans. full article

Lawrence Jones, a christian post reporter writes; The Pacific Justice Institute, which specializes in religious freedom and civil liberties, has filed a complaint against the California gas and electric utility provider PG&E for giving over a quarter of a million dollars toward efforts against the California gay "marriage" ban, Proposition 8. Brad Dacus, president of the group, has filed an administrative complaint against Pacific Gas and Electric Company with the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E provides utilities to approximately 15 million Californians. full article note: In keeping with their twisting of words, the religious right article claims PG&E is being sued. Rather then speaking the truth (a complaint was filed with the utilities commission) they seek to sensationalize. Which says volumes about their desperation!

By Jennifer Garza The Sacramento Bee California -- Last month, Rachel Bird exchanged vows with Gideon Codding in a church wedding in front of family and friends. As far as Bird is concerned, she is a bride. To the state of California, however, she is either "Party A" or "Party B." Those are the terms that have replaced "bride" and "groom" on the state's new gender-neutral marriage licenses. And to Bird and Codding, that is unacceptable. Bird and Codding have refused to complete the new forms, a stand that has already cost them. Because their marriage is not registered with the state, Bird cannot sign up for Codding's medical benefits or legally take his name. They are now exploring their options, she said. full article

MARK BARNA The Gazette Colorado: Focus on the Family is turning out to be a top donor to backers of a California ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage, according to California Secretary of State's Office records. Focus is the seventh biggest donor among Proposition 8 supporters, according to the California Secretary of State's Office. Other major donors are Elsa Prince, a Focus board member ($450,000); the American Family Association ($500,000); Fieldstead & Co. ($600,000); the John Templeton Foundation ($900,000); and the National Organization for Marriage ($941,134.80). The top donor is Knights of Columbus, which is based in New Haven, Conn., and acts as a political arm of the Catholic Church. The group has given $1.275 million in support of Proposition 8, the secretary of state's records show. full article

By Tony Grew, Pink News UK The Episcopal Diocese of California is to take a stand against an attempt to stop same-sex marriage in the state. Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot in November. It would amend the state Constitution to provide that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California," thus constitutionally eliminating the right to same-sex marriage. In May the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages in the state. "The Episcopal (Anglican) Church stands for equal rights for all persons and fair treatment for all Californians," the church said. full article

By Derek Price The Salt Lake Tribune When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently announced it would jump into California politics by supporting a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, many Mormons - including myself - were appalled. Some members were upset that their tithing donations would be used to support a political agenda with which they disagree. Others were disappointed to see the church once again veer from its hollow claim of "political neutrality." And some found it laughable that the LDS church, which was founded by people with famously liberal marriage arrangements, is now taking a "one man, one woman" stance. Isn't that a little ironic? full article