Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Dealing With Marriage Equality via Exorcism
From WUIS:
Regarding the proposed redefinition of civil marriage in Argentina, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote on June 22, 2010: “The Argentine people must face, in the next few weeks, a situation whose result may gravely harm the family. It is the bill on matrimony of persons of the same sex. The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children. The life of so many children who will be discriminated beforehand due to the lack of human maturity that God willed them to have with a father and a mother is in jeopardy. At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts. ... Let us not be naive: it is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a ‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.”
Bishop Paprocki noted, “The pope’s reference to the ‘father of lies’ comes from the Gospel of John (8:44), where Jesus refers to the devil as ‘a liar and the father of lies.’ So Pope Francis is saying that same-sex ‘marriage’ comes from the devil and should be condemned as such.”
The prayers for “Supplication and Exorcism Which May Be Used in Particular Circumstances of the Church” are taken from the Appendices to the 2004 Latin edition of the Rite of Exorcism, the introduction to which explains, “The presence of the Devil and other demons appears and exists not only in the tempting or tormenting of persons, but also in the penetration of things and places in a certain manner by their activity, and in various forms of opposition to and persecution of the church. If the diocesan bishop, in particular situations, judges it appropriate to announce gatherings of the faithful for prayer, under the leadership and direction of a priest, elements for arranging a rite of supplication may be taken from [the texts provided in these appendices].”
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Illinois Legislature To Vote On Marriage Equality
From the Windy City Times: Multiple sources connected with organizing efforts around the bill have stated that a vote is expected this afternoon, evening or early in the day on Friday. That timeline will partially depend on other business in Springfield as spring session wraps up.
Advocates with Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, The Civil Rights Agenda, Human Rights Campaign, Gay Liberation Network and other groups are already in the capitol. Sources say that the families of some reps. are also headed for Springfield.
Anti-LGBT groups not appear to be present.
The bill has already passed the Senate and Gov. Pat Quinn has vowed to sign it.
Illinois' legislative session end tomorrow, May 31.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Illinois Bans Abstinence-Only "Education"
From the Chicago Tribune: Illinois public schools that teach sex education will be required to provide information about birth control under a measure the Senate sent to Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday.
The legislation is a change from current policy, where abstinence is the only requirement for schools with sex ed classes. The measure was approved on a 37-21 vote and needed 30 to pass.
Supporters argue that abstinence-only education is not effective and students should be taught about other methods of birth control and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Opponents contend abstinence-only education should remain the norm in schools, saying parents should decide how to educate their kids about sex.
Sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, said the measure still would require schools to teach that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy and disease, while at the same time allowing "students to make healthy decisions for themselves."
Studies have shown that states with abstinence-only education also have higher rates of teen pregnancy and STI transmission. The phrase "abstinence-only education" in and of itself is an oxymoron. How can you call it accurate education if accurate information is purposefully withheld from the students? It's like having a geometry class where you don't talk about circles.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Changing Landscape of Marriage Equality: UPDATE!!!
Today is the day in Minnesota. At 12:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. eastern), the Minnesota House will vote on a bill to legalize marriage quality in the state. This vote is the biggest hurdle that the bill has, but hopes are high. The House is split 73-61 in favour of Democrats, so even if a few Democrats defect on an otherwise party-line vote, the bill will have a great chance of passage. Support is strong in the state Senate, and if the house passes the bill, the Senate will have a vote on it come Monday. Governor Mark Dayton has repeatedly expressed his support for equality.
Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but let us look at the significance of what marriage equality in Minnesota would mean. There is the obvious fact that there will be yet another state where marriage equality will be the law of the land. There is also the fact that this would be a huge turnaround for the state. Currently, Minnesota has a statute barring marriages of same-sex couples. Just last year, the state was on the verge of adding to that a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. The constitutional measure failed in the November elections of 2012. We have gone from that to the state being poised to endorse marriage equality in a matter of half a year. If anything is indicative of the national shift on this particular issue, Minnesota is it.
There is also a geographic importance. As it stands, marriage is primarily coastal. Of the eleven states (plus D.C.) where it has been legalized, they are all on/near the coast except one. The heartland of America is pretty much devoid of marriage equality, Iowa being the exception to that rule. Minnesota can change that as could another midwestern state on the verge of equality, Illinois (Illinois is still working on getting sufficient support in the state House). These states could give equality a very strong foothold in the Upper Midwest and change the landscape of the fight for equality in a very important way. Opponents will not be able to say that gay marriage is primarily supported by coastal elites. Middle America will have undeniably shown its support for equal rights and yet another talking point of the anti-gay sect will be thrown down.
There was an article on Buzzfeed earlier this year that listed twelve states which could legalize marriage equality between 2013 and 2014. Two of those states - Delaware and Rhode Island - have already done so. Hopefully Minnesota will follow their lead. We will have a clearer picture in a few hours. You can watch the floor debate and the vote live HERE.
UPDATE: The bill passed the house by a vote of 75 to 59.
UPDATE: The bill passed the house by a vote of 75 to 59.
Monday, May 6, 2013
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