Conservatives Claim Religion is Under Attack (?)

The anti-gay christo-fascists are trying to tie their anti-gay marriage/rights agenda to religious oppression. Read this A.P. article from Sept. 14:
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Conservatives Say Religion Under Attack
September 14, 2006 12:57 PM EDT

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.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Now...it should be clear to rational thinking people, that it is the RELIGIOUS RIGHT who are ATTACKING the rights of gay people! They however, are trying to turn the facts around to argue that by SUPPORTING the rights of gays and lesbians, weare attacking the rights of conservative religious people who oppose homosexuality and civil rights for gays and lesbians. It is a very twisted, but effective political strategy.

The anti-gay Christo-fascists and the neo-fascist Republicans teamed up in the 2004 election to use gay marriage to re-elected George W. Bush. It worked. Millions of Bible-thumping poor and working class people, including many African-Americans, joined with the Republican Religious Right to oppose the civil rights of gays and lesbians, and gave George W. Bush a second term to continue the Fascist Republican assault on peace, freedom and social justice. This strategy has worked so well, you can expect more of the same in the 2006 and 2008 election.

What about our Democratic "allies"? They seem to be so afraid of being accused of "attacking" religious conservatives that they are going along with this strategy!

Harold Ford Jr., the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, has a whole section on his campaign website called "My Faith as My Guide" in which he emphasizes his opposition to same-sex marriage as proof of his religious values! He has a new campaign ad filmed in a church he claims to be his own and the reason he knows "right from wrong."

Why aren't more Democrats willing to stand up for the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, and for the civil rights of NON-CHRSTIANS? Where are those campaign ads?

Civil marriage is a CVIL RIGHT, not based on religious beliefs or the Bible. This is a CIVIL RIGHTS issue tied to the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. The Religious Right is trying, once again, to IMPOSE their religious beliefs upon everyone, and then cry persecution when anyone opposes what they are doing or tries to defend the separation of church and state.

Harold Ford Jr. is following the Christian Right's strategy of (a) using religion to oppose the civil rights of gays and lesbians and (b) to use government to support theocratic policies.

Another reason I consider Harold Ford Jr. to be one of the most dangerous Democratic candidates and why I oppose him.
STOP HAROLD FORD JR.