Conservatives say religion under attack

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Religious conservative leaders, sensing declining alarm over same-sex marriage, are warning that the debate over homosexuality has prompted attacks on religious freedom.

WASHINGTON - Religious conservative leaders, sensing declining alarm over same-sex marriage, are warning that the debate over homosexuality has prompted attacks on religious freedom.

By expanding the discussion from marriage to religious expression, social conservatives say they will reconnect with religious voters and religious leaders who don't necessarily view same-sex unions as a threat.

"There are a number of pastors that said, 'Look, we don't get involved in politics, I'm not going to get involved in this issue, I just want to preach the gospel,'" said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. "When they realize their ability to preach the gospel may very well be at stake, they may reconsider their involvement."

Perkins and others are building a case file of anecdotes where they say religious people have spoken out against gay marriage only to be punished. Perkins specifically cited the decision by Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich in June to fire his appointee to the Washington area transit board after the board member referred to homosexuals as "persons of sexual deviancy."

The board member, Robert J. Smith, said he was expressing his personal beliefs as a Roman Catholic.

The subject of religious expression will be the main theme of an Oct. 15 gathering in Boston of conservative religious and political leaders that will be broadcast to churches nationally.

Many social conservatives credit the furor in 2004 over gay marriage for mobilizing voters in key states who voted for
President Bush. Since then, however, 16 states have passed initiatives or legislation banning same-sex marriage and several court decisions have upheld those bans.

"As the immediate threat has diminished so has the awareness," Perkins said.

Eight states have ballot initiatives in November to prohibit gay marriage, including some states with closely contested congressional races. Perkins said religious conservative groups planned to use direct mail and the Internet to alert voters about the stands candidates have taken on the marriage issue.

[Publius]

That's all I can say to this... They're claiming religious freedom is under attack when dozens of states are passing anti-homosexuality laws? Yea, religious freedom IS under attack, by THEM.

[kinggovernor]

When they realize their ability to preach the gospel may very well be at stake, they may reconsider their involvement

[Scrum]

Is this a joke?

[motivez]

The only thing that's under attack is freedom -- and by them.

[Ardentfrost]

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

Is this a joke?

That's what I thought at first... like, a story by The Onion.

Your av is so appropriate here.

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

Perkins specifically cited the decision by Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich in June to fire his appointee to the Washington area transit board after the board member referred to homosexuals as "persons of sexual deviancy."

So someone in an appointed position gets canned for making an idiotic remark and now people can no longer excersize religion.

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

That's what I thought at first... like, a story by The Onion.

Your av is so appropriate here.

[SpicyMcVoodoo]

You've got to be fucking kidding me. In a country in which saying you're an atheist is political suicide, they're claiming religion is under attack.

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by motivez

The only thing that's under attack is freedom -- and by them.

Thats the point I've tried to drive home, unsuccessfully I might add with many in my family

[Ardentfrost]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Thats the point I've tried to drive home, unsuccessfully I might add with many in my family

Same here

[JaJae]

It's hard to explain to a religious person that their definition of "marriage" is outdated and needs to change with the times. Many of them simply don't understand why they don't fight for equal rights under civil unions/power of attorney laws.

They feel their definition of marriage is the right one and by "desecrating" it their religion is under attack. They feel they should be able to keep marriage to their religious sense.

I agree with those in this thread though.

[DosEquis]

"How do you define a win and a loss in the war on christmas?" - dpakman

[Ardentfrost]

Originally Posted by DosEquis

"How do you define a win and a loss in the war on christmas?" - dpakman

I'd like to know how we're treating our prisoners of the war on christmas and where they're being held.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by Publius

That's all I can say to this... They're claiming religious freedom is under attack when dozens of states are passing anti-homosexuality laws? Yea, religious freedom IS under attack, by THEM.

hmmm...anti-gay marriage laws is an attack on religion?

[dpakman91]

Remember the time when John Gibson of Fox News wrote the holiday classic, "The War on Christmas?"

[lew]

I just want to apologize to everyone here for the pure stupidity shown forth by others of my same faith.

[Ardentfrost]

Originally Posted by dpakman91

Remember the time when John Gibson of Fox News wrote the holiday classic, "The War on Christmas?"

[Diamond Cross]

Yet they're attacking frreedom of religion themselves by doing their best to force prayer and intelligent design in schools.

And other stuff like that.

Essentially they're becoming the Pharisees that JEsus was so much against.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

hmmm...anti-gay marriage laws is an attack on religion?