Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Conversion therapy

2007-07-13T02:20:36Z

Otrebor:

Reparative Therapy is the idea that [[homosexuality]] can be cured by prayer and reflection. It is premised on the idea that homosexuality is a choice. Therapies like these that try to 'cure' people of Homosexuality are often innefective and can cause further phychological damage to a gay individual.

Environmentalist

2007-06-28T23:49:43Z

Otrebor:

'''Environmentalists''' are people who claim to be concerned about protecting the environment and believe that legal limitations should be put on human use of the Earth's natural environment and resources. These beliefs are staring to catch on in mainstream politics and more and more people in the western world are becoming concerned about the environment. This is mainly due to the effects of global warming, such as natural disadters like [[Hurricane Katrina]] and unhealthy levels of pollution. However, many environmental organizations and movements have been used for political purposes with other objectives than direct concern for the environment or environmentalism. <ref>[http://www.attacreport.com/ar_terror/tframe.php?region=namerica&group=gp ATTAC Terror Report]</ref>

==Save the trees==

American Pop Star [[Sheryl Crow]], while touring the [[United States]] to raise consciousness about [[global warming]] and forest conservation made international headlines by calling for regulation of how much toilet paper an individual may use. <ref>''Washington Post'', [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/21/AR2007042101385_pf.html Saving the Earth: The Biodiesel Bus Blog], April 22, 2007. </ref>
<ref>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6583067.stm ''Crow calls for limit on loo paper''], 23 April 2007. </ref> Crow told ABC's ''Good Morning America'',
{{Cquote|I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.}}
In a continuing series called "No Impact man," ABC television's ''Good Morning America'' reports on Colin Beaven, <ref>[http://noimpactman.typepad.com/ ''A little on political action, a little on TP''], NO Impact Man, 11 may 2007.</ref> a liberal New Yorker and environmentalist so concerned about exploitation of the environment that he has sworn off the use toilet paper. Beaven has extended his [[crusade]] against despoiling the planet by refusing to buy anything in packaging, will not use any form of transportation including elevators, and insists that all his food be grown within 250 miles, which is a great way to reduce green house gas emmissions involved in the transportation of food. Interviewer [[Diane Sawyer]] responded, "It really makes sense to me." <ref>''Good Morning America,'' Family Goes Extreme Green for a Year, May. 10, 2007.</ref> In the June update installment, [[Chris Cuomo]], son of former New York Governor [[Mario Cuomo]] and younger brother of Clinton cabinent appointee and current New York State Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]], and a [[Kennedy]] in-law, confessed a personal inability to make the sacrifices necessary, "can't go without it...can't be that green." <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3314122</ref>

In June 2007 residents of Lake Tohoe California were furious at environmentalists and the grip they hold on government regulators who refused to allow the clearing of dead trees. 1,300 homes sustained damage, and the newly homeless victims blamed the special interest environmentalists for thier woes.

The amount of fuel in the Tahoe Basin reached critical levels after years of discord among environmentalists and government agencies over how to thin forests and reduce the fire threat. And it has led to predictions of a devastating wildfire because the basin is one of the areas with the most fire starts in the Sierra Nevada. <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-clearance26jun26,0,2914697.story?coll=la-home-center Crowd aims fury at regional panel], Land use agency is criticized for failing to allow adequate clearing of combustible materials. By Eric Bailey and J. Michael Kennedy, ''Los Angelas Times'', June 26, 2007.</ref>

==Animal rights and vegetarians==

Citing a heretofore unknown connection between the enivironment, [[animal rights]], and [[vegetarianism]] movements, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) requested of [[Democratic]] Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] special treatment in administrtation of tax laws used to support ecological sustainability. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk alleges, "[V]egetarians are responsible for far fewer [[greenhouse-gas]] emissions and other kinds of environmental degradation than meat-eaters," and that vegetarians should receive a tax break "just as people who purchase a hybrid vehicle enjoy a tax break."

Asked how would the government certify the special interest tax break would go to vegetarians only, PETA spokesman Matt Prescott said, "I imagine that a system could be adopted whereby taxpayers could show receipts for food purchases and/or sign an affidavit attesting … that they are vegetarian." <ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/peta-seeks-tax-breaks-for-vegetarians-2007-05-31.html PETA seeks tax breaks for vegetarians], By Ilan Wurman, ''The Hill'', May 31, 2007.</ref>

==Global warming==
According to a report issued by Pets Across America, an animal shelter for homeless pets, global warming is responsible for an increase in the cat population. The longer breeding season said to be caused by climate change is believed to have shortened the "lulls" in feline breeding cycles, and an overpopulation of unwanted cats has resulted. Several shelters are reported to have experienced an increase of more than 30 percent from 2005 to 2006 in the influx of abandoned cats. The Report concludes with an admonition to spay and neuter your pet, responsible pet ownership, and an invitation to visit your nearest Pets Across America shelter. <ref>[http://petsacrossamerica.org/cat_overpopulation.pdf Global Warming Key Factor in Increase of Cat Population], Pets Accross America Press Release, June 6, 2007.</ref>

==Worship of Gaia==
[[Michael Crichton]] argues that the environmentalist movement has taken on a new age religious philosophy, and that this belief system is considered to be the religion of choice for urban [[Atheism|atheists]] and is one of the most powerful religions in the Western World:
{{Cquote|The religion of environmentalism is a perfect 21st century remapping of traditional [[Judeo-Christian]] beliefs and myths. There's an initial Eden, a paradise, a state of grace and unity with nature, there's a fall from grace into a state of pollution as a result of eating from the tree of knowledge, and as a result of our actions there is a judgment day coming for us all. We are all energy sinners, doomed to die, unless we seek salvation, which is now called sustainability. Sustainability is salvation in the church of the environment. Just as organic food is its communion, that pesticide-free wafer that the right people with the right beliefs, imbibe.

Eden, the fall of man, the loss of grace, the coming doomsday---these are deeply held mythic structures. They are profoundly conservative religious beliefs. These are not facts that can be argued. These are issues of faith. Facts aren't necessary, because the tenets of environmentalism are all about belief. It's about whether you are going to be a sinner, or saved. Whether you are going to be one of the people on the side of salvation, or on the side of doom. Whether you are going to be one of us, or one of them. <ref>Michael Crichton, [http://www.crichton-official.com/speeches/speeches_quote05.html Environmentalism as Religion]," Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, CA, September 15, 2003. </ref>}}

[[Image:Goregaia.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Former Vice President Al Gore]]
Former U.S. Vice President [[Al Gore]] sees a "spiritual crisis" in [[global warming]]. <ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA050607.01B.gore.35aecd4.html Gore sees 'spiritual crisis' in warming], Anton Caputo, ''San Antonio Express News'', 05/05/2007. </ref> British biologist James Lovelock <ref>*James Lovelock, [http://books.guardian.co.uk/extracts/story/0,,1738945,00.html ''Revenge of Gaia''], Publisher: Allen Lane, 02/02/2006. ISBN13: 9780713999143 </ref> first publicly explained the Gaia theory - that the earth as a whole is a living, conscious organism. <ref>[http://www.tcrnews2.com/gennewage.html Eco-spirituality, eco-feminism, global spirituality, ecological theology, creation spirituality, the new cosmology] </ref> Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho) has described this phenomenon as "environmental religion" and says that it has "profound constitutional implications" because of the First Amendment prohibition on government establishment of religion. <ref>Cliff Kincaid, [http://www.usasurvival.org/cultofgaia.html ''Al Gore, the United Nations, and the Cult of Gaia''], (1999). </ref>

[[Reid Bryson|Dr. Reid Bryson]], founding chairman of the department of meteorology at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]] and of the Institute for Environmental Studies, now known as the [[Gaylord Nelson]] Institute for Environmental Studies and is known as the father of scientific climatology says of global warming:
{{Cquote|It's almost a religion. Where you have to believe in anthropogenic (or man-made) global warming or else you are nuts. <ref>[http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/197613 Local scientist calls global warming theory hooey], Samara Kalk Derby, ''The Capital Times'', 6/18/2007. </ref>}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category: Radicals]]

Environmentalist

2007-06-28T23:41:39Z

Otrebor:

'''Environmentalists''' are people who claim to be concerned about protecting the environment and believe that legal limitations should be put on human use of the Earth's natural environment and resources. These beliefs are staring to catch on in mainstream politics and more and more people in the western world are becoming concerned about the environment. This is mainly due to the effects of global warming, [[such as natural disadters like Hurricane Katrina]] unhealthy levels of pollution. However, many environmental organizations and movements have been used for political purposes with other objectives than direct concern for the environment or environmentalism. <ref>[http://www.attacreport.com/ar_terror/tframe.php?region=namerica&group=gp ATTAC Terror Report]</ref>

==Save the trees==

American Pop Star [[Sheryl Crow]], while touring the [[United States]] to raise consciousness about [[global warming]] and forest conservation made international headlines by calling for regulation of how much toilet paper an individual may use. <ref>''Washington Post'', [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/21/AR2007042101385_pf.html Saving the Earth: The Biodiesel Bus Blog], April 22, 2007. </ref>
<ref>BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6583067.stm ''Crow calls for limit on loo paper''], 23 April 2007. </ref> Crow told ABC's ''Good Morning America'',
{{Cquote|I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.}}
In a continuing series called "No Impact man," ABC television's ''Good Morning America'' reports on Colin Beaven, <ref>[http://noimpactman.typepad.com/ ''A little on political action, a little on TP''], NO Impact Man, 11 may 2007.</ref> a liberal New Yorker and environmentalist so concerned about exploitation of the environment that he has sworn off the use toilet paper. Beaven has extended his [[crusade]] against despoiling the planet by refusing to buy anything in packaging, will not use any form of transportation including elevators, and insists that all his food be grown within 250 miles, which is a great way to reduce green house gas emmissions involved in the transportation of food. Interviewer [[Diane Sawyer]] responded, "It really makes sense to me." <ref>''Good Morning America,'' Family Goes Extreme Green for a Year, May. 10, 2007.</ref> In the June update installment, [[Chris Cuomo]], son of former New York Governor [[Mario Cuomo]] and younger brother of Clinton cabinent appointee and current New York State Attorney General [[Andrew Cuomo]], and a [[Kennedy]] in-law, confessed a personal inability to make the sacrifices necessary, "can't go without it...can't be that green." <ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3314122</ref>

In June 2007 residents of Lake Tohoe California were furious at environmentalists and the grip they hold on government regulators who refused to allow the clearing of dead trees. 1,300 homes sustained damage, and the newly homeless victims blamed the special interest environmentalists for thier woes.

The amount of fuel in the Tahoe Basin reached critical levels after years of discord among environmentalists and government agencies over how to thin forests and reduce the fire threat. And it has led to predictions of a devastating wildfire because the basin is one of the areas with the most fire starts in the Sierra Nevada. <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-clearance26jun26,0,2914697.story?coll=la-home-center Crowd aims fury at regional panel], Land use agency is criticized for failing to allow adequate clearing of combustible materials. By Eric Bailey and J. Michael Kennedy, ''Los Angelas Times'', June 26, 2007.</ref>

==Animal rights and vegetarians==

Citing a heretofore unknown connection between the enivironment, [[animal rights]], and [[vegetarianism]] movements, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) requested of [[Democratic]] Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] special treatment in administrtation of tax laws used to support ecological sustainability. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk alleges, "[V]egetarians are responsible for far fewer [[greenhouse-gas]] emissions and other kinds of environmental degradation than meat-eaters," and that vegetarians should receive a tax break "just as people who purchase a hybrid vehicle enjoy a tax break."

Asked how would the government certify the special interest tax break would go to vegetarians only, PETA spokesman Matt Prescott said, "I imagine that a system could be adopted whereby taxpayers could show receipts for food purchases and/or sign an affidavit attesting … that they are vegetarian." <ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/peta-seeks-tax-breaks-for-vegetarians-2007-05-31.html PETA seeks tax breaks for vegetarians], By Ilan Wurman, ''The Hill'', May 31, 2007.</ref>

==Global warming==
According to a report issued by Pets Across America, an animal shelter for homeless pets, global warming is responsible for an increase in the cat population. The longer breeding season said to be caused by climate change is believed to have shortened the "lulls" in feline breeding cycles, and an overpopulation of unwanted cats has resulted. Several shelters are reported to have experienced an increase of more than 30 percent from 2005 to 2006 in the influx of abandoned cats. The Report concludes with an admonition to spay and neuter your pet, responsible pet ownership, and an invitation to visit your nearest Pets Across America shelter. <ref>[http://petsacrossamerica.org/cat_overpopulation.pdf Global Warming Key Factor in Increase of Cat Population], Pets Accross America Press Release, June 6, 2007.</ref>

==Worship of Gaia==
[[Michael Crichton]] argues that the environmentalist movement has taken on a new age religious philosophy, and that this belief system is considered to be the religion of choice for urban [[Atheism|atheists]] and is one of the most powerful religions in the Western World:
{{Cquote|The religion of environmentalism is a perfect 21st century remapping of traditional [[Judeo-Christian]] beliefs and myths. There's an initial Eden, a paradise, a state of grace and unity with nature, there's a fall from grace into a state of pollution as a result of eating from the tree of knowledge, and as a result of our actions there is a judgment day coming for us all. We are all energy sinners, doomed to die, unless we seek salvation, which is now called sustainability. Sustainability is salvation in the church of the environment. Just as organic food is its communion, that pesticide-free wafer that the right people with the right beliefs, imbibe.

Eden, the fall of man, the loss of grace, the coming doomsday---these are deeply held mythic structures. They are profoundly conservative religious beliefs. These are not facts that can be argued. These are issues of faith. Facts aren't necessary, because the tenets of environmentalism are all about belief. It's about whether you are going to be a sinner, or saved. Whether you are going to be one of the people on the side of salvation, or on the side of doom. Whether you are going to be one of us, or one of them. <ref>Michael Crichton, [http://www.crichton-official.com/speeches/speeches_quote05.html Environmentalism as Religion]," Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, CA, September 15, 2003. </ref>}}

[[Image:Goregaia.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Former Vice President Al Gore]]
Former U.S. Vice President [[Al Gore]] sees a "spiritual crisis" in [[global warming]]. <ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA050607.01B.gore.35aecd4.html Gore sees 'spiritual crisis' in warming], Anton Caputo, ''San Antonio Express News'', 05/05/2007. </ref> British biologist James Lovelock <ref>*James Lovelock, [http://books.guardian.co.uk/extracts/story/0,,1738945,00.html ''Revenge of Gaia''], Publisher: Allen Lane, 02/02/2006. ISBN13: 9780713999143 </ref> first publicly explained the Gaia theory - that the earth as a whole is a living, conscious organism. <ref>[http://www.tcrnews2.com/gennewage.html Eco-spirituality, eco-feminism, global spirituality, ecological theology, creation spirituality, the new cosmology] </ref> Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho) has described this phenomenon as "environmental religion" and says that it has "profound constitutional implications" because of the First Amendment prohibition on government establishment of religion. <ref>Cliff Kincaid, [http://www.usasurvival.org/cultofgaia.html ''Al Gore, the United Nations, and the Cult of Gaia''], (1999). </ref>

[[Reid Bryson|Dr. Reid Bryson]], founding chairman of the department of meteorology at the [[University of Wisconsin-Madison]] and of the Institute for Environmental Studies, now known as the [[Gaylord Nelson]] Institute for Environmental Studies and is known as the father of scientific climatology says of global warming:
{{Cquote|It's almost a religion. Where you have to believe in anthropogenic (or man-made) global warming or else you are nuts. <ref>[http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/197613 Local scientist calls global warming theory hooey], Samara Kalk Derby, ''The Capital Times'', 6/18/2007. </ref>}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category: Radicals]]

Same-sex marriage

2007-06-25T01:52:04Z

Otrebor:

'''Same-sex marriage''', also referred to as [[homosexuality|gay]] marriage or [[homosexuality|homosexual]] marriage, is the official certification in jurisdictions that allow a union between two people of the same sex. Social conservatives regard it as immoral, and argue that use of the word "[[marriage]]" is a misnomer, because the [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony|marriage services]] of Christian denominations define marriage as the union of a man and a woman,<ref>E.g. "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." ''The Book of Common Prayer,'' Episcopal Church, The Church Hymnal Corporation and the Seabury Press, 1979: "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage," p. 423</ref> a definition which was also written into United States federal law in 1996.

Dr. James Dobson's [[Focus on the Family]] refers to the phrase ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to call attention to the fact that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that therefore same-sex unions are "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>

Abuse of the term was unheard of a few decades ago, however these unions are now among a number of issues advocated by [[gay rights]] activists. In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state. Several states allow "civil unions" between two people of the same sex, and one, Massachusetts, currently allows it under the name "marriage." These marriages are not recognized by the Federal government.

== Background ==
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that gay rights advocates would soon seek changes in some states. It was concerned about the possibility of test cases reaching the Supreme Court, and of the court conceivably ruling that a state—even though it prohibits gay marriage itself—must honor gay marriages performed in another state. The Defense of Marriage act, which was passed and signed by President Clinton, prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under its constitution, it was not required to allow "same-sex marriage" but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from marriages but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine also provide civil unions or domestic partnerships. Beginning in 2008, the states of Washington, Oregon, and New Hampshire will also provide same-sex unions. Hawaii provides certain benefits to same sex couples. <ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-optio0531may31,0,341613.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut Newsday]</ref> In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an established Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state. The same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. Thus, even in Massachusetts, it would be close to impossible for a same-sex couple to find a Catholic priest willing to marry them in a church, or an Orthodox rabbi willing to marry them in a temple.

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives and outside of this group, support is split down the middle leaning to opposition.<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html Same Sex Marriage Poll from ABC News]</ref>

== Issues ==
James Dobson of ''Focus on the Family'' suggests that the motivation of those advocating same-sex marriage is not to secure the benefits of marriage for gay couples, but to destroy the institution of marriage itself:
:...most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to destroy marriage altogether. With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, etc.,) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would "couples" be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed.<ref>[http://www.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000771.cfm Marriage on the Ropes], Dr. James Dobson, retrieved from ''Focus on the Family'', 15 May 2007. </ref>

The ''Defend Marriage'' organization states, as an issue, that legalizing same-sex "marriage" "would make it more difficult to prevent same-sex couples from adopting children" and says that "Studies show that the incidence of child abuse in same-sex 'families' is many times higher than in traditional families."<ref>[http://www.defendmarriage.org/defendmarriage/FAQshtml/faqshtml.cfm Defend Marriage]</ref>

==Reference==
<references/>

[[Category:Law|Same-Sex marriage]]

Same-sex marriage

2007-06-25T01:33:52Z

Otrebor:

'''Same-sex marriage''', also referred to as [[homosexuality|gay]] marriage or [[homosexuality|homosexual]] marriage, is the official certification in jurisdictions that allow a union between two people of the same sex. Social conservatives regard it as immoral, and argue that use of the word "[[marriage]]" is a misnomer, because the [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony|marriage services]] of Christian denominations define marriage as the union of a man and a woman,<ref>E.g. "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." ''The Book of Common Prayer,'' Episcopal Church, The Church Hymnal Corporation and the Seabury Press, 1979: "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage," p. 423</ref> a definition which was also written into United States federal law in 1996.

Dr. James Dobson's [[Focus on the Family]] refers to the phrase ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to call attention to the fact that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that therefore same-sex unions are "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>

Abuse of the term was unheard of a few decades ago, however these unions are now among a number of issues advocated by [[gay rights]] activists. In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state. Several states allow "civil unions" between two people of the same sex, and one, Massachusetts, currently allows it under the name "marriage." These marriages are not recognized by the Federal government.

== Background ==
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that gay rights advocates would soon seek changes in some states. It was concerned about the possibility of test cases reaching the Supreme Court, and of the court conceivably ruling that a state—even though it prohibits gay marriage itself—must honor gay marriages performed in another state. The Defense of Marriage act, which was passed and signed by President Clinton, prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under its constitution, it was not required to allow "same-sex marriage" but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from marriages but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine also provide civil unions or domestic partnerships. Beginning in 2008, the states of Washington, Oregon, and New Hampshire will also provide same-sex unions. Hawaii provides certain benefits to same sex couples. <ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-optio0531may31,0,341613.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut Newsday]</ref> In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an established Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state. The same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. Thus, even in Massachusetts, it would be close to impossible for a same-sex couple to find a Catholic priest willing to marry them in a church, or an Orthodox rabbi willing to marry them in a synagogue, though there are plenty of Reform Rabbis that will conduct the ceremony.

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives and outside of this group, support is split down the middle leaning to opposition.<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html Same Sex Marriage Poll from ABC News]</ref>

== Issues ==
James Dobson of ''Focus on the Family'' suggests that the motivation of those advocating same-sex marriage is not to secure the benefits of marriage for gay couples, but to destroy the institution of marriage itself:
:...most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to destroy marriage altogether. With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, etc.,) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would "couples" be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed.<ref>[http://www.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000771.cfm Marriage on the Ropes], Dr. James Dobson, retrieved from ''Focus on the Family'', 15 May 2007. </ref>
This view is commonly seen as ludicrous, and defenders of gay marriage say that gay couples are only seeking the same rights, benefits and acceptance as straight couples.

The ''Defend Marriage'' organization states, as an issue, that legalizing same-sex "marriage" "would make it more difficult to prevent same-sex couples from adopting children" and says that "Studies show that the incidence of child abuse in same-sex 'families' is many times higher than in traditional families."<ref>[http://www.defendmarriage.org/defendmarriage/FAQshtml/faqshtml.cfm Defend Marriage]</ref>

==Reference==
<references/>

[[Category:Law|Same-Sex marriage]]

Same-sex marriage

2007-06-25T01:32:05Z

Otrebor:

'''Same-sex marriage''', also referred to as [[homosexuality|gay]] marriage or [[homosexuality|homosexual]] marriage, is the official certification in jurisdictions that allow a union between two people of the same sex. Social conservatives regard it as immoral, and argue that use of the word "[[marriage]]" is a misnomer, because the [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony|marriage services]] of Christian denominations define marriage as the union of a man and a woman,<ref>E.g. "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." ''The Book of Common Prayer,'' Episcopal Church, The Church Hymnal Corporation and the Seabury Press, 1979: "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage," p. 423</ref> a definition which was also written into United States federal law in 1996.

Dr. James Dobson's [[Focus on the Family]] refers to the phrase ''same-sex 'marriage,''' with quotation marks around the word ''marriage,'' to call attention to the fact that marriage—civil as well as religious—is intrinsically a union between a man and a woman, and that therefore same-sex unions are "counterfeits."<ref>[http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000464.cfm Same-Sex 'Marriage' and Civil Unions], ''Focus on the Family's'' website</ref>

Abuse of the term was unheard of a few decades ago, however these unions are now among a number of issues advocated by [[gay rights]] activists. In the United States, marriage is primarily governed by each individual state and marriage laws differ from state to state. Several states allow "civil unions" between two people of the same sex, and one, Massachusetts, currently allows it under the name "marriage." These marriages are not recognized by the Federal government.

== Background ==
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that gay rights advocates would soon seek changes in some states. It was concerned about the possibility of test cases reaching the Supreme Court, and of the court conceivably ruling that a state—even though it prohibits gay marriage itself—must honor gay marriages performed in another state. The Defense of Marriage act, which was passed and signed by President Clinton, prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under its constitution, it was not required to allow "same-sex marriage" but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from marriages but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine also provide civil unions or domestic partnerships. Beginning in 2008, the states of Washington, Oregon, and New Hampshire will also provide same-sex unions. Hawaii provides certain benefits to same sex couples. <ref>[http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-optio0531may31,0,341613.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut Newsday]</ref> In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an established Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state. The same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. Thus, even in Massachusetts, it would be close to impossible for a same-sex couple to find a Catholic priest willing to marry them in a church, or an Orthodox rabbi willing to marry them in a temple.

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives and outside of this group, support is split down the middle leaning to opposition.<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html Same Sex Marriage Poll from ABC News]</ref>

== Issues ==
James Dobson of ''Focus on the Family'' suggests that the motivation of those advocating same-sex marriage is not to secure the benefits of marriage for gay couples, but to destroy the institution of marriage itself:
:...most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other. That would entangle them in all sorts of legal constraints. Who needs a lifetime commitment to one person? The intention here is to destroy marriage altogether. With marriage as we know it gone, everyone would enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage (custody rights, tax-free inheritance, joint ownership of property, health care and spousal citizenship, etc.,) without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Nor would "couples" be bound to each other in the eyes of the law. This is clearly where the movement is headed.<ref>[http://www.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000000771.cfm Marriage on the Ropes], Dr. James Dobson, retrieved from ''Focus on the Family'', 15 May 2007. </ref>
This view is commonly seen as ludicrous, and defenders of gay marriage say that gay couples are only seeking the same rights, benefits and acceptance as straight couples.

The ''Defend Marriage'' organization states, as an issue, that legalizing same-sex "marriage" "would make it more difficult to prevent same-sex couples from adopting children" and says that "Studies show that the incidence of child abuse in same-sex 'families' is many times higher than in traditional families."<ref>[http://www.defendmarriage.org/defendmarriage/FAQshtml/faqshtml.cfm Defend Marriage]</ref>

==Reference==
<references/>

[[Category:Law|Same-Sex marriage]]

AC/DC

2007-06-25T01:20:31Z

Otrebor:

'''AC/DC''' is a [[hard rock]] band from [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] and are considered influential in the creation of [[Heavy Metal]]. It was formed in 1973 by Angus and Malcolm Young. Current members are Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd.

==Discography==
*''[[High Voltage]]''
*''[[Highway to Hell]]''
*''[[Back in Black]]''
*''[[For Those About to Rock We Salute You]]''
*''[[Dirty Deads Done Dirt Cheap]]''
*''[['74 Jailbreak]]''
*''[[T.N.T.]]

[[Category:Bands]]

AC/DC

2007-06-25T01:18:14Z

Otrebor:

'''AC/DC''' is a [[hard rock]] band from [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] and are considered influential in the creation of [[Heavy Metal]]. It was formed in 1973 by Angus and Malcolm Young.

==Discography==
*''[[High Voltage]]''
*''[[Highway to Hell]]''
*''[[Back in Black]]''
*''[[For Those About to Rock We Salute You]]''
*''[[Dirty Deads Done Dirt Cheap]]''
*''[['74 Jailbreak]]''
*''[[T.N.T.]]

[[Category:Bands]]

AC/DC

2007-06-25T01:11:44Z

Otrebor:

'''AC/DC''' is a [[hard rock]] band from [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] and are considered influential in the creation of [[Heavy Metal]]. It was formed in 1973 by Angus and Malcolm Young.

==Discography==
*''[[High Voltage]]''
*''[[Highway to Hell]]''
*''[[Back in Black]]''
*''[[For Those About to Rock We Salute You]]''

[[Category:Bands]]

AC/DC

2007-06-25T01:08:59Z

Otrebor:

'''AC/DC''' is a [[hard rock]] band from [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]and are considered influential in the creation of [[Heavy Metal]]. It was formed in 1973 by Angus and Malcolm Young.

==Discography==
*''[[High Voltage]]''
*''[[Highway to Hell]]''
*''[[Back in Black]]''
*''[[For Those About to Rock We Salute You]]''

[[Category:Bands]]