#1
Posted: 6/21/05 at 11:55pm
Bush Renews Call for Federal Anti-Gay Amendment
by Paul Johnson 365Gay.com Washington Bureau Chief
Posted: June 21, 2005 5:00 pm ET
(Nashville, Tennessee) President Bush called on Congress Tuesday to pick up the pace and pass a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
Addressing 11,000 delegates at the annual Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Bush praised the denomination for its strong "family values" and support for the amendment.
"Building a more compassionate society starts with preserving the source of compassion - the family," Bush told the convention.
"Strong families teach children to live moral lives and help us pass down the values that define a caring society. And Southern Baptists are practicing compassion by defending the family and the sacred institution of marriage. Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be re-defined by local officials and activist judges. For the good of families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage."
A proposed amendment failed last year in Congress, but was reintroduced this year.
Bush also chastised Democrats for attempting to hold up Bush's judicial nominees.
"And for the good of our legal system, I will also continue to nominate federal judges who faithfully interpret the law and do not legislate from the bench," the President said.
"Every judicial nominee deserves an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate, and I thank you for your strong support of the fair-minded jurists I have named to the federal courts."
Bush also told the convention he wants legislation that would allow faith-based groups that receive federal money to be able to restrict workers to those only who adhere to the tenants of that faith. Such a proposal would allow groups to fire gays from jobs such as soup kitchens, HIV/AIDS outreach programs, or thrift stores that are run by churches.
"Because faith-based groups should never have to forfeit their religious liberty to get federal dollars - and that's an important concept -- we want your help, we want your love, but at the same time, you do not have to forget the mission of faith or ignore the mission of faith that calls you to action in the first place."
It was the fourth time the president has addressed the convention, which boasts more than 16-million members and more than 43-thousand churches.
The conservative Southern Baptists heavily supported the president in last year's election.
Among the motions to be discussed at this week's convention is one urging members to take their children out of schools deemed too tolerant of homosexuality. (story)
©365Gay.com 2005
Bush Renews Call for Federal Anti-Gay Amendment
by Paul Johnson 365Gay.com Washington Bureau Chief
Posted: June 21, 2005 5:00 pm ET
(Nashville, Tennessee) President Bush called on Congress Tuesday to pick up the pace and pass a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
Addressing 11,000 delegates at the annual Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Bush praised the denomination for its strong "family values" and support for the amendment.
"Building a more compassionate society starts with preserving the source of compassion - the family," Bush told the convention.
"Strong families teach children to live moral lives and help us pass down the values that define a caring society. And Southern Baptists are practicing compassion by defending the family and the sacred institution of marriage. Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be re-defined by local officials and activist judges. For the good of families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage."
A proposed amendment failed last year in Congress, but was reintroduced this year.
Bush also chastised Democrats for attempting to hold up Bush's judicial nominees.
"And for the good of our legal system, I will also continue to nominate federal judges who faithfully interpret the law and do not legislate from the bench," the President said.
"Every judicial nominee deserves an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate, and I thank you for your strong support of the fair-minded jurists I have named to the federal courts."
Bush also told the convention he wants legislation that would allow faith-based groups that receive federal money to be able to restrict workers to those only who adhere to the tenants of that faith. Such a proposal would allow groups to fire gays from jobs such as soup kitchens, HIV/AIDS outreach programs, or thrift stores that are run by churches.
"Because faith-based groups should never have to forfeit their religious liberty to get federal dollars - and that's an important concept -- we want your help, we want your love, but at the same time, you do not have to forget the mission of faith or ignore the mission of faith that calls you to action in the first place."
It was the fourth time the president has addressed the convention, which boasts more than 16-million members and more than 43-thousand churches.
The conservative Southern Baptists heavily supported the president in last year's election.
Among the motions to be discussed at this week's convention is one urging members to take their children out of schools deemed too tolerant of homosexuality. (story)
©365Gay.com 2005
Bush Renews Call for Federal Anti-Gay Amendment
I'm not even gay, you should see me when I get started on the lack of female presidents, its unimagineable to me that its not a bigger issue then its seems to be or at least not actively in the public's day to day conciousness
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