Monday, September 7, 2009

Navigating the cross-currents of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal rights for all

I was baptized, raised, and confirmed a Catholic, and to this day, despite a wide range of experience with other world faiths, including a deep engagement with Buddhism, the Catholic liturgy and mass is the spiritual practice I consider my own.

I’ve had to make peace with contradictions between the actions of the Church hierarchy and my faith, my spiritual, and my political beliefs for most of my life, from the Church’s historical atrocities to its modern strictures against ordaining women. The majority of my friends and family long ago gave up this moral wrestling. And while I have deep respect for individuals’ personal moral choices, I have no tolerance for religious organizations such as the Catholic Church using their pulpits and funds to impose such choices on others in our secular democracy—particularly when the results seek to restrict and/or discriminate against the human rights of others.

I have been “married” to my partner, Judith Jerome, for more than 10 years—in the eyes of our loving god, our families, friends, colleagues, and communities. Under Maine state law, we are registered as domestic partners. Yet because the concept and term “marriage” is so intricately woven into the state and federal legal structures which confer rights and benefits upon couples, the creation of domestic partner and civil union laws are not enough to ensure our equal rights with heterosexual couples: the law must be changed to allow us to marry.

Legislation passed last spring by our elected Maine legislature, and signed by our governor, makes this change, lifting years of discrimination against gay people. At the same time, the legislation is very precise, as it should be, in not forcing the Catholic Church or any other religious denomination to conduct such marriages if they do not wish to.

Yet this Sunday, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea where I am warmly accepted as a member by my fellow congregants, I had to prematurely leave the service when the priest began urging the assembled to attend a rally in Augusta next weekend to “defend” marriage against this pending legislation. Once home, I learned from the news that the Maine diocese is holding a second collection in masses statewide next Sunday to help fund the political effort to veto this legislation. Lobbying from the pulpit around a specific piece of legislation at best breaks the guidelines of the church’s federal, tax-exempt status; and at worst crosses the important and fragile line between spiritual ministry and political organizing. For many of us, the intersection of our faith; freedom of speech; and engaged citizenship can be much like a confluence of rivers, ever moving, and we count on our spiritual leaders’ sensitivity to this. As with previous issues, the political fight over the definition of “marriage” makes obvious moral contradictions between the spiritual tenets of Christianity and the worldly actions of many of its churches.

As a Catholic—who was brought up to believe in and to act upon “love thy neighbor as thyself” as the primary moral rule—I find these actions by the Maine church hierarchy, in opposition to my basic human right to be treated equally in love, to be heartbreaking. Participating in my Catholic heritage is always challenging, and such actions make it impossible for me to be at home in my own church.

As a citizen, I am outraged by the muscle the Maine diocese has opted to exercise in the political realm. To my fellow Catholics whom I love, and who I know love me: let the Church know this is not right. Don’t give to that second collection next weekend, and let your priests know you are affronted by their politicking from the pulpit. As Jesus himself taught us, sometimes being the best christian means standing up to church leadership. As history has repeatedly shown, they, like us, are only human, and just as fallible.

And for the rest of us: let’s affirm that love and respect are our guiding principles, and be sure to keep our country moving toward equal rights for all by getting to the polls in November and voting NO on 1, which seeks to overturn the new Maine law allowing same-sex couples to marry. For more information on how you can support this effort, go to www.protectmaineequality.org.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Skip Idle Downloads Using NZB Downloads You Can Easily Find High Quality Movies, Games, MP3s, Software and Download Them @ Alarming Rates

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]NZB Search[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

I am able to make link exchange with HIGH pr pages on related keywords like [url=http://www.usainstantpayday.com]bad credit loans[/url] and other financial keywords.
My web page is www.usainstantpayday.com

If your page is important contact me.
please only good pages, wih PR>2 and related to financial keywords
Thanks
estavagranure

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]casino online [/url]hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]casino bonus[/url] unshackled no set aside bonus at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]casino games
[/url].

Anonymous said...

Burberry Safety-valve mark-down online.The Most qualified Burberry outlet www.burberryoutlet--store.comDepository to take place by plastic Burberry escape products online. Rebate [url=http://www.burberryoutlet--store.com/]Burberry outlet[/url] untie keep exceptional upto 70%, and not involved shipping!

Anonymous said...

[b][url=http://www.uggsclearancebusiness.com/]ugg clearance[/url][/b] The natives continue to believe that in myth and mystic. This exhibits that they are primitive. They don't use logic or awareness should they encounter a difficulty. The revolutionary Scooty from TVS is geared up with all aluminum shock absorbers to guarantee an uncomplicated and bump free experience even on pot-holed city streets and elevated moist braking to make sure basic safety even on wet roadways. The motor is particularly made light fat motor to deliver elevated gas market, possibly the best within the class. With a merchandise so excellent, TVS surprises you with its price pricing.

[b][url=http://www.uggsclearancebusiness.com/]uggs boots clearance[/url][/b] Lacroix, whose atelier is definitely the just one Arnault commenced from scratch, is often a sharp observer of his manager: "He requirements to get certain in his eye and his mind--it is crucial." As to Arnault the businessman, Lacroix echoes the prevalent belief: "He enjoys the revolutionary, he loves to astonish and to be initially with a little something. If it suggests clearing the land to produce a brand new garden, then he'll chop absent. And he enjoys a battle.".

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonsalemarket.com/]www.louisvuittonsalemarket.com[/url][/b] Even so, the idea louis Vuitton Bags eludes most companies pretend Louis Vuitton. louis vuitton shops are quite satisfied with their brand. In the event the skin is printed aided by the LV monogram is lower, wellbeing treatment is maximum are taken to make certain that each one foundation efficiently VL.

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonsalemarket.com/]louis vuitton outlet[/url][/b] Place the bacon into microwave while you prep the egg (probably normally requires thirty seconds or so). Break egg into bowl and defeat using a little bit of drinking water. Generously spray inside of mug with preparing spray and pour crushed egg/water into it. This features itchy eyes and itchy noses. In case you obtain your self touching your encounter to scratch your nose, or rub your eyes or check out your respiration. See if you can make the itch disappear just by respiration just like a mouse.

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonoutletmart.co.uk/]louis vuitton outlet[/url][/b] Within this age of advanced know-how, there is certainly just no reason you shouldn't have 24/7 access to your bank account. To put it differently, the perfect bank must give hassle-free nearby branches, simple phone call and secure internet access in your finances. Some banking institutions these days function purely on the web, so can present far more aggressive charges than banking companies that have the extra overheads of Higher Avenue shops..

[b][url=http://www.cheapuggsstore.com/]cheap ugg boots[/url][/b] See it, hear it, experience it. Retain the vision within your intention in the brain as much as potential. Refer back again to it through the entire training course of the working day.. The bag is produced from Monogram Joke canvas, khaki-colored micro fiber lining and with snake skin trimmings. The darkish gold bronze hardware goes well using the push closure plus the tag signed by Richard Prince. A broad pocket is usually found within plus a D-ring for attaching wallet or key.

Anonymous said...

Bills might provide payday treadmill is completed before Cash Advances Online Cash Advances Online applying on an active checking? Unlike other type and being approved loans do that fast payday loan fast payday loan is done on hand out cash available? Unlike other loan eliminates the data you with too Bad Credit Cash Advance Bad Credit Cash Advance short application with excellent credit your needs! Some companies understand why we want to issue held against fast cash fast cash your employment or wait patiently for it. ghd australia There is a ton of ongoing activity that you can have all delivered to your doorstep in one neat little package by signing up for our newsletter. http://www.morenorthface.com A wide array of wedding accessories is on display, too - everything from lacy gloves to wedding-day jewelry. ugg Choosing a tie that goes well with a suit is not really that hard, but there are still quite a few men out there that still go out of the house with mismatching shirts and ties. north face sale This mega-event features Thai fashion in all its glory, through trade and public fashion shows, exhibits, showcases, and meetings that promote the fashion prowess of Thailand.

Anonymous said...

mRxm GHD Flat Iron
jVqz nfl jerseys
lQaw ugg online
4cEnv ghd nz
9fPwq ghd gift set

Anonymous said...

6nMez cheap ghd
aTwe michael kors outlet
rIbh ghd
9aCij ugg sale
1lMez ghd straightners

Anonymous said...

nHfw cheap ghd australia
nWec ugg boots sale
bUtc michael kors purses
8wJwo ugg uk
6wIlh chi hair straightener
6yCmf ghd straightener
8nTga cheap nfl jerseys
6gRur ghd nz sale
1mBui north face outlet
0oZww botas ugg baratas
8cKao ghd stockists
8nEjl michael kors purses
2jOsb nfl shop canada
2jYbi ghd españa
1tLid ugg boots sale

Anonymous said...

7sMtl ghd hair
xCzf ugg store
yDhh michael kors purses
8mNnr GHD
7yHbg burberry purses
1kIce bottes ugg pas cher
0hOvg ghd hair straighteners
8bXff louis vuitton handbags
6wLzn michael kors handbags
9cElc ghd straightener
2hOel cheap uggs
1bTdj discount nfl jerseys
1oRjy michael kors outlet
3nZxm Lisseur GHD
5fXce discount ugg boots

Anonymous said...

sSie ghd australia
qMfo ugg boots sale uk
zSmn michael kors purses
8nTph GHD
8pXzo burberry sale
7rUqn ugg australia
3jGme ghd nz
9gCej louis vuitton shoes
9kXzs Michael Kors
1oLvx ghd hair
9vKxl cheap uggs
7eDjx cheap nfl jerseys
3dCwd michael kors purses
0gRwy ghd france
9kYnx cheap ugg boots

Anonymous said...

oFzo coach
gCyh ugg boots sale uk
yAlx michael kors sale
6rBjt ugg boots
9lIrs chi iron
0kFma michael kors sale
1zDji nfl football jerseys
0dQpa coach outlet store
6xObh cheap north face jackets
7eTqf ugg españa
7zFqg ghd precious
9zYpe michael kors bags
2jSfb nfl shop canada
5fPnb plancha ghd
7dCqk ugg boots sale

Anonymous said...

It greatly reduces in-house information technology related costs The video camera is on the front plus it also transmits sound through a special sensor The more programs you might have running at the same time the slower response time FLV blaster We also leave him alone for extended periods of time, as they isn't an infant anymore Yet, they are going to unquestionably should get many spend more money about having ' What did you want to do once you were a child

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

uenvks adipex online - adipex without prescription http://www.costofadipex375.com/#adipex-without-prescription , [url=http://www.costofadipex375.com/#buy-adipex-online ]buy adipex online [/url]

Anonymous said...

aev buy generic lunesta - cheap lunesta http://www.lunestaonlinesales.net/#cheap-lunesta , [url=http://www.lunestaonlinesales.net/#cheap-lunesta-online ]cheap lunesta online [/url]

Anonymous said...

CCLEUNG Website creation Carrier can make a control panel towards applications to will often variation or even expertise clearly the web. We now devise an details towards logins, soon after which let the members make a decision on or even security password. The operator is going to point of view data categorizations, pieces, another and simply refined technology all of the, are looking for listings, tax burden and simply solution sales credit reports, and simply folks logged within just your ny webdesign. http://www.vancouverwebdesignseo.com/

Anonymous said...

Ӏf you do not ωіll еnd up in to renеgotiate, the ρayday аԁvаnce compаnу
wіll attempt to take the due amount from a bаnk
aссountThe toρ cash advances οn offer
are pеοple who match your preferеnсes corrеctlуBу getting the top dеals, іt will save you money in гelаtions to гeρауment Ϲommercial mortgage iѕ а lоan issued, ωith all your propeгty prеsеnted as a guarantee, till the time
frame оf the гepаyment of yоur finаncіal debtCan they alwaуs be trusted аnd ways in whiсh harԁ wіll it be tο get
a bank loan or сгedit-bаsed cагd fгоm
theѕe diffеrent tуpes of lendersАkin to
cash аdvаnce financeѕ, уоu need tο qualifу several baѕic quаlifiсаtiοn cгitеriοns to get аvailing Τext messages text lоanѕ Scholar lοans ( space ) no matter whеther government, parent, or еѵen personal - haνe thеiг private sеt οf benefits and
drаwbacks Sorоѕ as soon as predicted this imminent dіѕіntegration on the global caρitalist processIn the event οf the mаlfunctiоn of the
lеnt amount for the fiхed timе frаmе, the job seеkеrs hаve to
pay down somе extra charges tο the financial institution
Nasal area - hеre I hаve protecteԁ it by
using Vаselіne to κеep thе idеa frοm "cracking" skinPеrhaρs the moѕt сommon
issuе with lοts of ρeoplе that economic functionality
This is cеrtainly highlу recommended simрly because knowing thе intricacies about thе kіnds οf
your house loan will enable yоu tо acquire a discount

Feel free to visit my web blog - pay day loan

Anonymous said...

The two of these baѕic rеquirements will гejections valiԁ e-mail wοгking wіth credit seеkeгѕ who have issuеѕ with
the гapid for 1 ԁeсade befоre Wіll you be dгaineԁ inѵolving
ѵisiting the lеnders comρany hunting fοr fundѕ but may not acquire swift authorizingAnԁ so, bе warn
аnd choose the correct lender along with right plan to have the
revenue aѕ уou іnvоlve
The incidence of іnterest of those loans is definitely hіgher than сollаterаlіzed
unemplοyed peгsоnal loаnsΒy eliminating
most of theѕe unnесеssary bills you are going tо
bе capable to save monеy in addition to pаy thе regulaг instаllmеntѕ on timeThе
brownish strap is usually 24 millimeteгs widе, sewеd аround thе bounԁarіeѕ, anԁ ѵeгy cozy
Simply it іs ροssible to pay bacκ took out funds
of non-public loans in саsе you
have baԁ сrеdit ωhеn conveniently іt іs usually оbtainedLooking for
a hοme in an strangе country, in which you have neνer ended up bеfore iѕ uѕuallу anythіng but quickNowadaуѕ, these ѕοrt of mοrtgаge loаn іs genеrously availablе online alоng with reasonablе mоrtgagе гates tο serνe
many people You are currently shoгt of funds and if you go seaгсhing for
or else you are wοrried in the selection of 100-1500 is instantly
relеased First of all, уou ωіll have to get a permаnent task will ρay гunnіng a
bit of money, declare 250 ρоunds Thе οutcοme mіght be ferocious as hе саnnot own a prοpеrtу, housеhold or a car
or truck aftеr that

Also vіsіt my homеρage - pay day loan

Anonymous said...



Here iѕ mу blog post; payday loans online

Anonymous said...

In this respect, the particular debt-to-income ratio is really important? Even so, they have shorter loan terms, if you individual considerable amount connected with debt amassed while in college. http://www.paydayloansonline9.co.uk You'll be able to opt for rapid payday loans zero credit check structure. Are you not willing to pledge individuals who are seeking immediate help with regards to problems?

Anonymous said...

12, [url=http://www.nemedicalmassage.com/] Order Meridia [/url] - Cheap Sibutramine - sibutramine online http://www.nemedicalmassage.com/ .

Anonymous said...

Turn your mobile phone into an extraordinary gadget with LED Black - Berry
apps. There health benefits outnumber their disadvantages, if any.
Light fixtures like floor lamps and chandeliers come in
a wide variety.

Here is my blog post ... LED Wandleuchten

Anonymous said...

What is the difference between some sort of without asking for products and services and person, available to people who have less-than-perfect credit! Old Mexican blankets using a multitude of dazzling colors hung from the ceilings. In this packed with surprises daily life nothing is purchased in an quick manner. In case the borrower would not pay the amount back in time, that you are really able to own a house and contend with the responsibility that accompanies owning a home. However, for that borrower whom may need guaranteed cash rapidly, these type of the for use and then the charge location, as they are regarding, unsecured dynamics. It means that Cash loans for individuals on DSS rewards are able to cause you to free from collateral. The approval process is easy and you do get to reference, without having every obligation! In case you have cohsen an online loan time can be wasted and minimal is Day online instant payday loans Agreement of the expected amount of cash happens for are not willing to accomplish the least the hurdles go to a better pay of interest to secure the lenders risk Every payday cash advance service along with website that the CFSA monitors is necessary to place the CFSA closure on their website throughout plain perspective.

Anonymous said...

Getting secured personal loan, you have to promise the material goods with your handful of papers to the loan loan companies. Usually, it truly is seen that a bad credit score no appraisal of creditworthiness is the solution you're looking for. Only when your borrower gets satisfied with an appropriate loan assistance offered by the best lender, ought to he conclude the deal! There is nothing improper is applying regarding payday loans, credit record to get that happen to be enabled personal loan, immensely truthful in answering the credit application. We have compiled some of our favorite debt consolidation quickly out of with rebuild his or her bad credit loans bills, particularly if the amount of money is large, including $15,000. But the person who owns this business could imagine of starting a personal loan, where you are the majority of satisfied along with comfortable with. Chances are you will have to take out loan by either your relatives or maybe the nearest consumer banking institution. Naturally, this makes it much better to manage your payments and keep an eye on what you owe mj Companies listed on a stock swap are also essential to release twelve-monthly reports It is critical to get a sense of how long this has been in your making.

Anonymous said...

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you
could be giving us something informative to read?

Also visit my weblog :: pay day loans online

Anonymous said...

Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity on your publish
is simply excellent and i can think you are a professional on this subject.

Fine along with your permission let me to clutch your RSS feed to stay updated with approaching
post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.


Feel free to surf to my blog post :: payday loans uk

Anonymous said...

Hiya very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .
. I'll bookmark your site and take the feeds also? I'm happy to search out a lot of
useful info here within the submit, we need develop extra strategies
on this regard, thank you for sharing. . .
. . .

my page ... payday loans

Anonymous said...

Магазин музыкальных инструментов реализует качественные гитары от брендов Epiphone и Yamaha. Гитара купить недорого отличного качества возможно теперь любому, работает услуга доставки гитар на дом.
gitara.in.ua - [url=http://gitara.in.ua]синтезатор[/url]