Week Ending November 21, 2003
Religious Freedom Coalition
November 21, 2003 10:42PM EST

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 21, 2003

CONGRESS IN SESSION

THE PRESIDENCY

SAME SEX MARRIAGE

This week I am beginning my report with the Presidency because of some extraordinary comments from the White House. At the time President George W. Bush was traveling aboard Air Force One to London, the Massachusetts Supreme Court declared that same sex marriage was legal under that state's constitution. Immediately upon landing in London the President released this statement: "Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. Today's decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court violates this important principle. I will work with congressional leaders and others to do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage."

A STUNNING SPEECH

More stunning was the President's speech at Whitehall Palace the following day on November 19th. In a nation that has virtually become godless, President George W. Bush reminded its people of their faithful past. In just the first few minutes of the speech be referred to John Locke who is known as the Philosopher of Freedom. Locke once said, "Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided." The president then referred to Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations and considered to be the founder of modern free market economics. President Bush went on to discuss the compassion of Lord Shaftesbury and the righteous courage of William Wilberforce. Still not finished, he referred to the Englishman William Booth who founded the Salvation Army and said the "...Good News was translated by Tyndale preached by Wesley, lived out in the example of William Booth." The President went on to talk of the "...God-given dignity of every person..." and later explained his intervention in Iraq by saying that "Tyranny is never benign to its victims, and our great democracies should oppose tyranny wherever it is found."

The reaction by the American and British media was stunning .... the president's speech was not reported at all. Instead, the front page of British tabloids pictured the President as a "war monger" and "murderer" while lavishing praise on virtually every Islamic dictator in the world. At home the President's speech went unreported. Major media reported the speach as a "defense of his Iragi policy" but did not report the context or religious and social significance of it.  The only newspapers I know of that gave the speech any play at all were The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Times. To read the President's address click here.

THE SENATE

THE MARRIAGE BATTLE

Marriage was on the mind of every conservative Senator this week as the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is to beome the law in that state in six months, unless the legislature can stop it. Majority Leader Bill Frist spoke out loudly and clearly in favor of traditional marriage on the day of the court's ruling. He said, "I believe today's decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court is wrong. This decision erodes the traditional meaning of marriage. I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. The Congress has already codified this principle in the Defense of Marriage Act, passed overwhelmingly by 85 votes in the Senate and signed by President Clinton. It is my hope that the Massachusetts legislature will take the appropriate action to preserve America's values in respect to marriage."

OTHER BUSINESS

No social conservative legislation was considered this week as the Senate worked to finish the Energy Appropriations and the Medicare Reform Act that includes prescription drugs. The White House and Republican leaders believe these bills are key to their continuing agenda and intend to work on nothing else until they are passed. Medical Savings Accounts are included in the Medicare Reform Act. The MSA would reduce medical costs and decentralize Medicare. Although the AARP has endorsed the Medicare Reform Act the liberal Democrats, particularly in the Senate, continue to attack it. Their goal is to set up a bureacracy with tens of thousands of employees that will control every aspect of health care for the elderly.

THE HOUSE

TERROR

The House passed a bill banning any aid to Syria if that nation continues to assist terrorists. The bill passed by 408-8 showing bipartisan support against the Syrian dictatorship which is allowing the smuggling of arms and terrorists into Iraq. (Click here to read more)

MARRIAGE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Most conservative members of the House spent their time this week in meetings considering how best to defend the institution of marriage against the current homosexual assault led by the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Majority Leader Tom DeLay will not be able to bring up any legislation concerning same sex marriage until January of next year. There is just no time left in the current session to deal with any of the major social issues. DeLay and others believe that DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996) will hold off the onslaught of gay court rulings for now. The "super-DOMA" introduced by Congressman Hostettler (R-IN) can also be passed next year to stop the move through the courts of the destruction of the traditional family. Continued meetings are also planned on the Federal Marriage Amendment and what the final language of that would be.

THE MEDIA

MARRIAGE

The real battle on the same-sex marriage issue will be conducted in the media and it is there the battle may well be won or lost. Think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation have issued scholarly papers showing the damage same sex marriage would do to our society. Papers such as these, however, are rarely read outside of intellectual circles. The mass media, including talk radio and the TV news networks, is where we must win the battle for the hearts of Americans. The day of the court's decision I appeared on a CNN prime time news show anchored by Paula Zahn. A transcript of my debate with a homosexual activist lawyer is available on our Internet site. (Click here to read transcript.) I also appeared on numerous radio talk shows including the nationally syndicated Point of View hosted by Marlin Maddoux. In all I spent several hours on major radio talk shows defending marriage as a sacred institution between one man and one woman. The CNN show was noteworthy in that the segment featured five homosexual activists and one straight guy--that being me. That is the way the media presents a "balanced" view. Next Monday evening I will appear on Behind the Headlines on Radio America. This program is also national ... please check Radio America's Internet site for listings.

I sometimes receive e-mail's from subscribers saying, "What is the big deal, if homosexuals get married so what?" The answer lies in the schools. If homosexuals can marry, then sex education classes will be giving instructions on safe anal sex. They will be telling your sons and grandsons that having sex with a man is no different than having sex with a woman. Your boys will be told that if they are asked out on a date by a man, they should consider it. Is that what you want for your kids? Once homosexual marriage is allowed, there is no way that polygamy can continue to be outlawed. Muslims will demand their "religious right" to have four wives and they will win in court. This is not a war over marriage; it is a battle for the heart of the society. Marriage is the citadel of Judeo-Christian civilization. Once that citadel falls, our civilization will fall. (Just in - Most Americans oppose same sex marriage. See details.)

TERROR

Why is there so much terror during the "holy" month of Ramadan? Why does every civilized nation in the world have to increase security and brace for terror during this Islamic "holy" month?

Muslims believe that the gates of Hell are closed during Ramadan and that those who die during this time go to heaven. Therefore it is the best time of year to blow yourself up and take some Christians or Jews with you. The Washington Times had a fairly good article about Ramadan and this phenomenon that I recommend to you. (Click here for story) No where in the world does any nation prepare for violence by Christians during Christmas or Easter. The violence of Islam comes from its founder, Mohammed, who was a warrior king who murdered, in contrast to Jesus who brought the Gospel of true peace. I have produced videos on Islamic terror in the Holy Land including Holy Land Terror, Holy Land Settlements and Holy Land Teens that you will find of interest.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COALITION

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