We aren’t going to say that the all-male, all-white crowd behind (and assumedly in front of) Ted Cruz at the “We Stand With God” rally in South Carolina are confused about their own intimate desires, causing them to take a fear-based opposition to the wondrous fluidity that is human sexuality.
Actually, we are.
How else could you rationalize the powerful desire to congregate around an issue that *supposedly* has so very little to do with them?
Related: Turns Out Ted Cruz’s Father Rafael Is Just As Obsessed With Gay Sex As His Son
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Regardless, Cruz took the opportunity to double-down on his “repeal gay marriage” nonsense:
“Let me tell you something,” he said. “Marriage existed long before the United States Supreme Court. Marriage existed long before the United States of America. Marriage was not ordained by any law in this country. Marriage was ordained by God Almighty, and Caesar has no jurisdiction over the pulpit.”
He called the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision “fundamentally illegitimate” and “lawless,” and touted a bill he’s introduced that would allow states to ban same-sex marriage.
Then he tried to rally the people crazy enough to vote for him — the evangelical Christians — into getting out on election day, claiming 54 million of them stayed home on the last election.
But you know the message was lost on at least a few of the thumb-resembling white guys behind Cruz who spent the whole afternoon trying not to check out the candidate’s stump.
Watch below:
h/t NCRM
Alford S. Sean
Isn’t it amazing that Big Kim Davis can get married four times, via her chosen man-made religious cult! She disgusts me on every level. Long grey hair, no makeup, & in a plus sized skirt tells me her chosen cult….yup snakes and chickens. Holiness??? NOT- Is this who southern Pentecostals want as their PR mascot???
Great News:
Government Employees Have No â??Religious Freedomâ?? Right To Refuse Service To Same-Sex Couples, Says Americans United
Jul 8, 2015 â?? Clerks Must Issue Marriage Licenses To All Qualified Couples, Church-State Watchdog Says
Government employees who oppose marriage equality because of their religious beliefs are not entitled to refuse service to same-sex couples, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has informed officials in all 50 states today.
In a letter released today, which will be sent to all state attorneys general as well as county clerks in Texas and South Dakota, Americans United explains that with marriage equality now the law of the land, government employees do not have the right to opt out of serving gay couples, because doing so would harm those couples and violate their constitutional rights.
â??As Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the U.S. Supreme Courtâ??s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, there is dignity in marriage for all couples,â? said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. â??But government officials who refuse to serve same-sex couples are taking away that dignity.â?
The letter was prompted by a recent memo from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a statement by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who suggested that government employees may be allowed a religious exemption from serving same-sex couples.
In its memo, Americans United says the Constitution makes no such allowance.
â??As with an interracial couple, imposing such burdens on a same-sex couple would burden, demean, and stigmatize the couple in a manner that violates the Constitution and other laws. Thus, allowing accommodations in these circumstances would subject government entities and officials to legal liability,â? asserts the AU document.
Said Americans United Senior Litigation Counsel Gregory M. Lipper: â??The Supreme Court meant what it said. Any same-sex couple denied service by a government official should contact Americans Unitedâ??s legal department. We stand ready to represent same-sex couples whose rights are violated on account of religion.â?
This action is part of Americans Unitedâ??s new project, Protect Thy Neighbor, which seeks to stop religious-based discrimination against LGBT persons and others.
The letter was written by Lipper with assistance from AU Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser, and Madison Fellows Zachary A. Dietert and Natacha Y. Lam. (Lam is admitted in New York only, and is supervised by Lipper.)
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
https://au.org/media/press-releases/government-employees-have-no-religious-freedom-right-to-refuse-service-to-same
William Meyer
Brian JC Kneeland
when do we get to discuss his sins?
Londale Foster
And Straight divorces? I wish someone wouod
1EqualityUSA
He’s holding his woody down.
Noel Hoklin
Alan Burnside
Kieran
The little wuss just better not say anything disrespectful about front runner Donald Trump if he wants to keep his 3% poll rating.
GG
“Let me tell you something,” [Cruz] said. “Marriage existed long before the United States Supreme Court. Marriage existed long before the United States of America. Marriage was not ordained by any law in this country. Marriage was ordained by God Almighty, and Caesar has no jurisdiction over the pulpit.”
If that’s the way you want to play it, Raphael Cruz, then let’s have at it.
Let me tell YOU something: There have been thousands of religions throughout history. The monotheistic “god religion” you invoke was created a mere 1,500-2,000 years ago at most. Religions come and go. Homosexuality, on the other hand, has existed in nature forever. Homosexuality will continue to exist after your current religion crumbles and ceases to exist.
And, in case anyone’s forgotten, Raphael Cruz was born in Canada and is therefore ineligible to be President of the United States.
Auryn Smith
Same thing, different group of people
1EqualityUSA
These Religious zealots are imposing their beliefs on other Americans. That to too great a burden for a secular society. Christians are free to carry on, rendering unto Caesar, should they want to take part in capitalism. There is no room for a mindset that rationalizes taking away inalienable rights from the unpopular Americans. This country’s citizens cannot tolerate those who wish to oppress other Americans, no matter the motivation. (This has been said before.)
Do you not see the danger in tearing the wall of separation down between religion and politics? You believe we are a “Christian Nation,” but were this to change a hundred years from now, you may find your views challenged and your beliefs imposed upon. If you truly believe that your God is the only true God, can you not find talented teachers to convey the message, without establishing your beliefs into civil laws, under which everyone is coerced? The gradient is too wildly vast to say that your interpretation of the Bible is the proper version by which everybody shall be burdened. I do not want to live under Ted Cruz’s version of my Bible, nor would I expect him to be burdened by my interpretation. One hundred years from now, the tide may change and we may find that we are burdened by a different God entirely, should the precedence be set, now, by foolish Texans and Tea Partiers. Jesus and John the Baptist didn’t run up to Herod and say, establish these laws of ours. Their words transform hearts. It will be ineffective to establish religion into civic laws, as years from now, these laws may well be overturned and set on a shelf, futility. If you believe in the Word, sing it from the rooftops, tell it to the mountain, establish a way to convey God’s message in a convincing manner through talent and faith, but coercion by civil laws is throwing resources down a rat-hole. If you have faith in your Father’s Word, that should be enough to grow 70 times 70 hearts and minds. Establishing your religious beliefs in civil law, without transforming hearts, is a temporary measure, oppressive, and sure to fail.
1EqualityUSA
That statue is packing.
FnameLname
@Alford S. Sean: Thank You! I find it a little amusing that she has been divorced several times and actually will process a divorce for couples as a county clerk but will not allow gay couples to marry. When asked why she will process a divorce when it is a sin she said “that is between the couple getting divorced and God”. Well, what a concept. Let God worry about sinners and go about your business. Seems simple enough. Hate filled bigots. That’s all that comes to mind. Hate filled bigots. I love how they constantly “threaten” gay people with “you will pay in hell” or something along that sentiment. I think that statement in itself will raise an eyebrow or two in Heaven and cause God to shake her head. What a tangled web the redneck clerk has woven for herself and knowing that she makes Eighty Grand a year makes it even harder to swallow.
Giancarlo85
Marriage was not religious in its original form. It as to join families often for political and economic reasons. Royalty used it to join empires. It had little to nothing to do with religion. And polygamy was highly common in the past. So when these right wing bigots say “same sex marriage will lead to polygamy”. I say… nope! Polygamy already around.
Giancarlo85
Where are all the gay repuggers like daniel reader (doesn’t read), BJ McFisty, and other right wing nuts? Nowhere to be found. They just troll when convenient.
Curty
I don’t understand the pointless mention of the attendees skin color… the was a needless mention. The media has pushed this race thing really to ridiculous territory. Anyhow Cruz I guess is all knowing or a crusader to save the country from one so called sin. Homosexuality. Nevermind killers, thieve, adultery, fornication etc. This is the hypocrisy I’m glad so many intelligent people recognize now. Cruz seems dangerous and he seems like someone who has lost touch of reality. Thankfully unless he moves to another state he will only influence his voters in texas.
Giancarlo85
@Curty: Says more about the supporters of the republican party. Maybe you shouldn’t try reading into things so much. You don’t tend to think enough.
jwtraveler
Ted Cruz was born in Canada. He’s ineligible to be President. Don’t believe it? Ask the ‘show us your birth certificate Obama’ Tea Party birthers.
Alistair Wiseman
@GG:
Ted Cruz had dual citizenship with the U.S. and Canada. In 2013, Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship. According to law scholars, since Ted Cruz was born in Canada to a parent with U.S. citizenship, he is also a U.S. citizen.
http://harvardlawreview.org/2015/03/on-the-meaning-of-natural-born-citizen/
GG
@Alistair Wiseman: “According to law scholars, since Ted Cruz was born in Canada to a parent with U.S. citizenship, he is also a U.S. citizen.”
Correction: “According to SOME law scholars . . .” Also, one can be a U.S. citizen and still be ineligible to be President.
Alistair Wiseman
@1EqualityUSA:
“That to too [sic] great a burden for a secular society.”
That is part of the problem with your analysis. We are not a secular society. We were never intended to be. Secular government, yes. Secular society, no.
The separation of church and state is not in our Constitution nor any of our founding documents.
http://www.creators.com/conservative/dennis-prager/america-founded-to-be-free-not-secular.html
Alistair Wiseman
@GG:
According to the majority of law scholars.
Let’s see…whom do I believe? Someone who calls themselves “GG” or the Harvard Law Review? Hmmm
GG
@Alistair Wiseman: “According to the majority of law scholars.”
– Really? Link, please, that specifically tallies all such opinions. Otherwise, you’re just talk.
“Let’s see…whom do I believe? Someone who calls themselves “GG” or the Harvard Law Review? Hmmm”
– You were unable to successfully refute what I said. Facts are funny that way. Let’s see, whom do I believe, someone who can’t understand facts, or the facts themselves. Hmmm.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Bullshit source stupid article! This nation was definitely secular. You live in a contradiction fairytale land. You can’t be a “religious country” and be a free country. The two are at contradiction. This nation was founded as a non-religious secular country. And yes, this is a secular society. Meaning keep your stupid religious viewpoints to yourself and stop trying to force them onto others.
“Creators.com” – just as bad as the Washington Times.
You are a demented person with an inadequate brain.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Why do you never give any examples? The article, if you bothered to read it, gave example after example of our country’s religious beginnings. From you, nothing, but hate.
martinbakman
South Carolina ya’ll!! 🙂
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: That article is revisionist trash that has nothing to do with reality. I already cited the treaty of Tripoli signed by a founding father and ratified by the US Congress. Face it kiddo, your hatred of secularists and atheists is impairing your objectivity. This is not a religious country in any sense.
1EqualityUSA
Alistair Wiseman, Dennis Prager! No thanks. If these church leaders were worth their salt, they would not need to resort to oppression and coercion. The Church has lost its way. They cannot spiritually feed the flock. The leaders are tangled in the thorns of this world. Separation protects. Mixing politics into religion supplants the Word. Christ was not a politician. He was not of this world. His Word was His authority. His example didn’t include oppression, but rather, free will. Any pastor, priest, or pope stating otherwise is nefarious and none of Christ’s.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
The treaty of Tripoli was a treaty, not a founding document!!!
“This is not a religious country in any sense.”
Apparently, that money that we all touch everyday that boldly states, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, must be a misprint.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“That article is revisionist trash that has nothing to do with reality.”
Give an example of what is “revisionist trash”. According to you, what is inaccurate?
By the way, I do not hate “secularists and atheists” and have never said I did.
1EqualityUSA
Alistair Wiseman, Dennis Prager! No thanks. If these church leaders were worth their salt, they would not need to resort to oppression and coercion. The Church has lost its way. They cannot spiritually feed the flock. The leaders are tangled in the thorns of this world. Separation protects. Mixing politics into religion supplants the Word. Christ was not a politician. He was not of this world. His Word was His authority. His example didn’t include oppression, but rather, free will. Any pastor, priest, or pope stating otherwise is nefarious and none of Christ’s.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You are a naive idiot. The treaty was binding as law. You can be a historical revisionist all you want but it won’t change reality.
Oh and “In God we trust” was not added until the cold war. The founders had nothing to do with that. Sometimes you make the most hysterical idiotic statements.
@Alistair Wiseman: This article has an obvious agenda and is clouded as a source. It has no objectivity, much like you. The fact you were so quick to dismiss a binding legal document shows how much of an ignorant snob you are. You just can’t accept reality. This isn’t a fucking Christian nation. Learn to deal with that.
Giancarlo85
I am so tired of you right wing Christian fundamentalists trying to distort history and peddle the same stupid agenda. Keep your religious beliefs to yourself. Alistair, we get it… You are a valid fool who finds the need to defend Republicans all the time. Maybe you should think for yourself and not let right wing websites cloud your judgment. People like you don’t actually think independently. That is why the left wing will always be several steps ahead of you.
notevenwrong
A bunch of ugly fat white men who can only get a piece of ass through their church or their pimp.
Alistair Wiseman
@GG:
“Let’s see, whom do I believe, someone who can’t understand facts, or the facts themselves.”
I linked an article full of facts and I understand it perfectly, but since you know facts so well show me specifically what the Harvard Law Review got wrong.
GG
@Alistair Wiseman: Yep, as predicted. I asked for proof, and you supplied none.
Strike one.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“The treaty was binding as law.” As treaties usually are. However, let me state it again, the Treaty of Tripoli was not a founding document of the United States.
You stated the article is “revisionist trash”. I asked for an example of what you consider “revisionist trash”, I still have not received one.
“Oh and “In God We Trust” was not added until the cold war.”
“IN GOD WE TRUST” first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864, long before the Cold War. “IN GOD WE TRUST” was adpted as the official motto of the United States in 1956. It is believed the phrase originated in “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The fourth stanza includes the phrase, “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our Trust.'”
With IN GOD WE TRUST as our country’s official motto and derived from our national anthem, it seems your argument that the U.S. is not a Judeo-Christian nation has been further weakened.
http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx
Alistair Wiseman
@GG:
Yep, as predicted. I asked for proof, and you supplied none.
Strike one.
See how that works? I did supply proof from the Harvard Law Review. Apparently, the Harvard Law Review is not a legitimate and well-founded source for you, “GG”.
Again, please show me where the Harvard Law Review made errors in their analysis.
GG
@Alistair Wiseman: “I did supply proof from the Harvard Law Review. Apparently, the Harvard Law Review is not a legitimate and well-founded source for you, “GG”.”
Again with the deflection. And another fail. You wrote, “According to the majority of law scholars.” I responded for you to supply proof of your claim by writing, “Link, please, that specifically tallies all such opinions. Otherwise, you’re just talk.”
To date, you have not done so. So I am still waiting for the proof. And until you do, you’re still just talk.
Strike two.
1EqualityUSA
I don’t care if you believe Robert Plant is a god, I don’t want to exist under your version of anyone.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: The TREATY is LAW of the nation. It address DOMESTIC policy. This is something you do not get in your thick skull. You have provided ZERO proof to refute anything I have said. You have tried attacking the law of this nation.
““IN GOD WE TRUST” first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864, long before the Cold War. “IN GOD WE TRUST” was adpted as the official motto of the United States in 1956. It is believed the phrase originated in “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The fourth stanza includes the phrase, “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our Trust.’””
Lovely set of historical revisionism. You have any other bullshit to say? This nation was not founded on god, you naive fucking idiot.
@Alistair Wiseman: YOU DID NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF. YOU DIDN’T REFUTE ANYTHING ANYONE HAS SAID ON HERE. You inane idiot. You never provided anything from the Harvard Law Review.
Giancarlo85
“With IN GOD WE TRUST as our country’s official motto and derived from our national anthem, it seems your argument that the U.S. is not a Judeo-Christian nation has been further weakened.”
How has my argument been “further weakened”? You right wing scyophant. Are you this fucked up in person? You have provided absolutely NOTHING to prove that this is a “Judeo-Christian” nation. What a pile of steaming horseshit. This nation once had slavery legal and women couldn’t vote… was that right? Keep your steaming horseshit to yourself.
Your argument doesn’t even exist. It has no proof. You have never presented any proof asides from some idiotic right wing blog like the Blaze.
Giancarlo85
You just seek to push your pushy stupid christian viewpoints on everyone and force everyone to live under a theocracy. Spain once had the inquisition. Doesn’t mean it is right. Just because something may have happened in the past, doesn’t make it right. Get out of the past. The US is not in any sense a Christian nation, and this was made very clear even in the Treaty of Tripoli.
Giancarlo85
Some facts for Alistair’s little mind:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-schweitzer/founding-fathers-we-are-n_b_6761840.html
“The Constitution of the United States of America makes zero reference to a god or Christianity.” – Of course you won’t respect this FACT.
http://www.alternet.org/story/155985/5_reasons_america_is_not_–_and_has_never_been_–_a_christian_nation
“The myth that America is a Christian nation is not only untrue, but promotes the pernicious idea that non-Christians are second-class citizens.” – You seek to make anyone who doesn’t believe the same as you, a second-class citizen. For this, go fuck yourself.
http://infidels.org/library/modern/farrell_till/myth.html
http://ffrf.org/outreach/item/13354-america-not-a-christian-nation
Giancarlo85
@GG: Alistair thinks his own words are proof enough and he doesn’t have to supply links. And when he does it’s either Washington Times or The Blaze lol.
Curty
@Giancarlo85: You’re nothing but a bully. I see you posting all the time when someone tries to make a point you trash them because it goes against your views. You’re no better than these religious theocratic nutjobs this article is mentioning. You need to check yourself and look in the mirror.
Giancarlo85
@Curty: Oh go ahead. Go kiss Alistair’s feet now. I am not the bully. Have you seen what this bitch has said in here? He deserves how he is being treated because he has viciously attacked me in the past. I’m not going to treat a low life scumbag like him with respect. I’ve posted my evidence and my argument. you’re just so full of shit, curty. You have never made any sense in what you say on here… you are like a dog chasing its own tail.
Curty
@Giancarlo85: Actually I have and judging by your comments to me, you deserve it! You are a jerk, a tyrant on a little website. You’re a loser… I point out things sometimes that other’s may overlook and yes I try my best to be fair. So if I see racial comments about other’s guess what I’m going to speak out because two wrongs don’t make a right and double standards don’t accomplish anything in an equal society for all. You tried to bully me because I made a legitimate comment about unnecessary racial attacks and you came for me. You started this nonsense so see your way out, loser. Sit in ya basement of ya moms house and argue and attack people all day. How pathetic.
Giancarlo85
@Curty: You are a pathetic loser and poser. And probably a closet case too. My comments to you are well deserved. You’re the one who is a real tyrant. You post under every article and are on here everyday. Sometimes I don’t post for several days… because I work.
What racial comments? Who is making racial comments? You are not fair. You are nothing more than a vindictive pathetic idiot who is trying to come after me simply because it is convenient.
I have nothing to say to a bigot enabling conservative ass kisser like you. I never made any racial attacks. You have not provided one shred of proof I ever did. I am on here constantly defending minorities, while people like you kiss up to white rac*i*s*ts.
You’re the one that lives in the basement of your parents (don’t use the same attack on me please, pathetic asshole). I actually work for a living. When was the last time you ever worked?
And I’ll ask one LAST FUCKING TIME, show me where I made racial arguments. If you don’t, you’re lying once again.
Giancarlo85
I’ll bring everyone into this nonsense. Curty accused me of making “racial statements” (whatever the fuck that means) in a different thread. I asked him “where?”. I also asked “please point of the comments that were”.
He never replied and never backed himself up. This kid is probably an 18-19 yr old closet queen who chases around 50-60 year old sugardaddies… never has worked a day in his life and posts on here every single day.
So where are those “racial statements” I made. Please point them out!
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
“…because he has viciously attacked me in the past.”
You are wrong. I have NEVER viciously attacked you ever. I have attacked your ideas, which is very different. The things you have called me on these boards, you would never say to my face. If you did, many people would agree that you would deserve what was coming to you.
Good luck playing the victim somewhere else.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You have done it and now you are doing it in multiple articles on this site. You have never attacked my ideas. You are not capable in engaging in a debate. You only attack people because you don’t like where they stand on issues. You are a sick little man who is a complete and total hypocrite. I would proudly say that right to your face.
Oh and now you’re threatening violence. What else is new… you threatened to hurt me in the past because I made issue with your bullshit unsupported political views.
Giancarlo85
How does it feel to get your ass whipped in these “debates” everyday, alistair? Are you into sadomasochism too? It must suck being beaten every day on every issue.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
You are HILARIOUS!!!
You stated, “Lovely set of historical revisionism.” YOU DID NOT PROVIDE ANY PROOF.”
Well, I gave you the link to the U.S. Treasury website that explains the origins of, IN GOD WE TRUST, which you got wrong.
Apparently, the U.S. Treasury is lying on their website!!! LOL!!!
By the way, I LOVE your sources! All lefty, looney websites; Salon, Huffington Post, Alternet, etc.
Those are some great sources!!!
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Again he has proved absolutely nothing. The founding fathers never added “in god we trust” to anything. I’ve already posted a shitload of links for you to look at, and what a surpries you refuse to look at any of them.
I didn’t get anything wrong. Once again, the clown doesn’t know how to read.
And my sources are all factual. Unlike right wing dipshit sites like The Blaze and Washington Times. Idiot. Learn how to read! Maybe if you read sources with different viewpoints you wouldn’t be so brainwashed!
Mental basketcase!
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Once again (this is becoming a habit with you), you are lying. I have never threatened you or anybody else on these boards. And you’re the one talking about learning how to read. Please take your own advice.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Again where did I lie? This idiot posts a lot of bullshit. You just posted a veiled threat on here saying I’ll deserve violence. You are a lying hypocritical idiot and I would say everything I posted on here right to your face. You don’t even know how to make a coherent argument and when you get outsourced you run away.
McShane
@Giancarlo85:
Calm down, Mr. Pena.
Giancarlo85
@McShane: Calm down, mr hit and run troll.
gayspud-1
those who push their religion onto others should stay out of politics very dangerous.this is asking for trouble what away to bring the country tumbling down.so if you politicians are highly religious stay out of politics cause i for one do not want your religion forced onto to me.so keep it to yourselves.
1EqualityUSA
My favorite comment of this entire thread:
Kieran
“The little wuss just better not say anything disrespectful about front runner Donald Trump if he wants to keep his 3% poll rating.”
All this energy being spent for a gnat. This really puts it in perspective. Thanks, Kieran.