North Carolina, the state where legislators failed to pass a gay-inclusive anti-bullying law, played host yesterday to crowds lobbying for a chance to vote on an amendment to ban gay marriage. The state already forbids same-sex marriage, but in typical fashion, religious zealots (the rally was organized by Return America, an organization principled in “Judeo-Christian values”) bused in from Baptist churches around the state want to amend the state’s rule book to keep the possibility from ever happening.
What better way to spend your Tuesday afternoon than shouting in front of the state legislative building to strip fellow Americans of their civil rights. Reports the News & Observer:
The rally, sponsored by a Winston-Salem group called Return America, featured two nationally acclaimed conservative Christian pundits who described a breakdown of society should gay couples be allowed to marry. They then urged those attending to knock on their legislators’ doors and demand action.
“Let them feel the heat until they see the light,” said David Barton, founder of WallBuilders, a ministry devoted to educating Americans about the country’s moral and religious foundation.
The rally was a follow-up to a press conference last week in which Republican legislators re-introduced a bill that would allow North Carolina to hold a referendum on marriage. The bill has been sidetracked to a committee.
getreal
Why do conservatives act like American belongs to them? Return America? I thought it was meant to be shared by all it’s citizens. Have these people never heard of the Constitution of the Bill of Rights? Why is it people who claim to love America so much do so much work that is diametrically opposed to the spirit of the ideals it was founded on? Not a rhetorical question I’m really interested.
Scott
If there’s one thing I can say for my home state of NC, the legislators have been rather effective at brushing off this state ammendment many times. Some people actually do get it.
Eric
I’m aware of a number of private, Christian-based (re: Baptist) schools who transported school aged children during ‘class’ time, to this ‘demonstration.’
[If you look closely at the photos, the majority of signs are being held by children who are well below voting age…anything to make this ‘look’ like a major event.]
As far as I’m concerned, this ‘front’ is just one reason that these “churches” should be held accountable for paying taxes to their states and the federal government. There only purpose is to promote a political/social policies and agenda.
Really, if these were churches, wouldn’t their time have been better spent tending to the the needs of their parishioners and people in need – rather than attending a rally to deny people their change at some happiness?
getreal
@Eric: I am a Christian and I agree with you completely if you play in politics you have ceased being just a church but have become a PAC (political action committee) and should absolutely pay taxes. Believe me if that became the law of the land all these homophobic church’s would drop right out of sight.
vernonvanderbilt
@Eric: @getreal: Hear hear. If you abuse your tax shelter in order to abuse other people, then you should have it taken away. If you want to use the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as toilet paper, then you deserve to have some shit thrown at you for it. If we start taxing these faux-churches, they will collapse under the weight of their own bigotry. I can’t say that would break my heart.
Forrest
Charlotte resident here. NC state government is dominated by democrats from top to bottom. No pun intended. While most are conservative the moderate to liberal contingent occupy the Speaker slots and top committee heads. They have been able to kill this bill in committee year after year. It would pass easily if put on the ballot. So this is our only recourse. Hopefully they will be able to bury the proposal this year as well.
kevin (not that one)
The sea of white faces says a lot about whose America they want to return to.
Last time I checked, NC has a sizable African American population.
Charles J. Mueller
@kevin (not that one): Hi Kevin (Not that one)
Excellent observation, Kevin…and a good point.
The America these people want to go back to is the one of witch-burning, slavery and autonomous religious rule.
I am tempted to say God help us, but then I’d sound pretty much like them, wouldn’t it?
S/he (God) wouldn’t know which way to turn?
atdleft
@kevin (not that one): And it puts to rest the whole “blacks h8 teh gayzz!” BS. Who’s funding the H8ers? White radical right Christianists. And who’s organizing crap like this? See above.
atdleft
@Forrest: I hope you’re right. It’d suck if we lose the last Southern state that hasn’t written H8 into its constitution.
Andy
I don’t really appreciate the lead in to this story – “the state where legislators failed to pass a gay-inclusive anti-bullying law.”
How about the only southern state that has not passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Like years past, this legislation is going nowhere fast. The senate version has been assigned to a committee that hasn’t met in over two years and the house version has to traverse 4 committees before it could even come to the floor vote, an unheard number of committees for any legislation.
Forrest is right. State government in NC is completely controlled by Democrats. And while many are moderates and would consider voting for this, allowing such a constitutional amendment would only attract more conservatives to the polls, increasing the risk that Republicans take more seats in the house and senate.
By the way, Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro recently introduced the Safe Communities Act, which would strengthen North Carolina’s hate crimes laws.
Sebbe
“Judeo-Christian values” – I don’t get why they are besties.
Forrest
Relative to much of the South NC is quite moderate. Yes we all remember Jesse Helms but he represents the past. John Edwards was elected here And just last election cycle Kay Hagan ousted Dole. Hagan spoke at the HRC Carolinas Dinner last month.
Raleigh-Durham, Chapel Hill-Carrboro ( The Triangle) is liberal. Duke and UNC, and Research Triangle Park foster a progressive gay friendly vibe that is recognized nationwide. The area has a very NOVA feeling. Orange and Durham counties provide domestic partner benefits and non-discrimination laws along with Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Asheville is hippie and gay friendly and Charlotte has made great strides in the past few years because of the transplant influx.
North Carolina went blue this Presidential year.
No we are not Massachusetts but we ain’t Alabama either. Being able to fend off the Christian Taliban’s gay marriage ban push for years illustrates this fact.
Charles J. Mueller
So, if in fact, a church has become a PAC (political action committee), why is not the IRS looking into these activities and revoking their tax shelters?
Yeah, I know what the answer is going to be. They are reticent to do so because the religious right contributed huge sums of money to the politician’s election campaigns and are afraid to do anything that might cause the loss of their support.
If John Q. Public does not pay their tax obligations, the IRS on them like a fly on shit. They don’t waste any time going after you.
So, what course of action does that leave us then?
petted
uhm what’s with the picture shirtless fellow n sunglasses?
Sebbe
@petted – LOL LFMAO – I swear that wasn’t there earlier!! Who knows. David must have hit the wrong button.