Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________ Interesting question. In one of my many volunteer situations, I was presented with information on an organization's attempt to learn about diversity of the various cultures. They brought in a speaker who made some interesting points. However, the one point that shocked everyone was how distressed the speaker was when he, a black man of significant corporate position, was transferred to the Twin Cites. Why was he distressed? Because he saw many interracial couples and bi-racial children. just because there wasn't a law to prevent it, the culture was to do so. I wonder if these ministers would have the same feelings if they moved north? Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> "brian bates" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 03/24/2004 5:07:59 PM >>> Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________ wonder what these folks would think of the past practice of outllawing interracial marriages. Brian Bates, Mac grove Thomas Swift wrote: >Index of SPPS Budget Discussion >http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html >_________________________________________ > > >Tuesday March 23, 2004 3:16 AM > > >By MARK NIESSE > >Associated Press Writer > >ATLANTA (AP) - From the cradle of the civil rights >movement, several dozen black pastors are voicing >their opposition to the gay marriage movement and >rhetoric that equates it with the struggle for racial >equality. > >The pastors rallied late Monday at an Atlanta-area >church where they signed a declaration outlining their >beliefs on marriage and religion. > >They are pressing for a state constitutional ban on >gay marriages, which will be considered again by the >Georgia House as soon as this week. > >Many black clergy say they are offended by the gay >rights movement's claim that their struggle is the >same as the effort for equal racial >rights. > >The declaration, which was signed by 30 pastors, was >to be presented to legislative leaders later in the >week. It said same-sex marriage is not a civil right, >and marriage between a man and a woman is necessary >for the upbringing of children. > >``This is neither a hate nor a fear issue,'' the >statement said. > >``People are free in our nation to pursue >relationships as they choose. To redefine marriage, >however, to suit the preference of those choosing >alternative lifestyles is wrong.'' > >Bishop William Shields of Hopewell Baptist Church told >the crowd of about 250 that gay marriage is ``a threat >to who we are and what we stand for.'' > >``I'm not here tonight to discriminate against anyone. >I'm here to stand on the word of God,'' Shields said. > >Bishop Donn Thomas of Messiah's World Outreach >Ministries said the civil rights movement ``was a >positive freedom for African-Americans to experience >our capabilities as men and women created in the image >of God.'' > >``The homosexual lobby is seeking a negative freedom >rooted in the sexual revolution, and it's a negative >freedom from the restraint of morality,'' Thomas said. > > >The rally is important because the black pastors are >taking a stand on such a difficult issue, said Randy >Hicks, president of the Georgia Family Council, which >helped organize the event. > >``They're making an appropriate statement about what >marriage is and what it is not,'' Hicks said. ``These >men and women can certainly be characterized as >compassionate and caring, and they are concerned about > >things like discrimination.'' > >Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Georgia, but >supporters of the ban say the constitution needs to be >changed to make sure a judge does not direct Georgia >to recognize gay marriages performed in other >states. >================================================== > >The concept of negative freedom expressed here by >Bishop Thomas is the same one that the gentelman at >the Capital rally was explaining to the young lesbian >I wrote about earlier. > > >TSwift >Cherokee Park > > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. >http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html >_____________________________________________ >SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 >Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ >_____________________________________________ >NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: >http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > >Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > > > > _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
