After Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced same-sex "marriage" legislation with so-called "religious liberty protection," along with plans to change minds of legislators who defeated similar legislation last year, the first lady apologized for calling opposition legislators "cowards." Meanwhile, liberal "christians" are lining up to support the Gay Agenda legislation.
For background, read 'Gay Marriage' Bill Pushed by Maryland Governor and also read Catholic Gov. Says Archbishop Wrong on 'Gay Marriage' as well as Christian Grassroots Defeat Same-sex 'Marriage' in Maryland
-- From "O’Malley unveils agenda, including same-sex marriage bill" by John Wagner and Aaron C. Davis, Washington Post 1/23/12
Religious-exemption language included in O’Malley’s same-sex marriage bill is intended to pick up additional support in the House of Delegates, where a bill fell unexpectedly short last year after clearing the Senate.
Among other things, the governor’s bill plainly states that religious groups have exclusive control over their theological doctrines and expands protections against lawsuits arising from refusal to perform same-sex marriages.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said the new language is meant as “a clarification” to address concerns raised by some delegates last year.
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From "O'Malley hosts meeting with gay marriage backers" by Brian Witte, Associated Press 1/24/12
The Maryland Catholic Conference . . . spoke out against the new measure.
"The bill's limited exemptions for religious organizations remain ambiguous and by no means cover the host of circumstances that would create a conflict between the government and faith institutions if marriage is redefined," Mary Ellen Russell, the group's executive director, said in a statement.
Delegate Emmett Burns, a Baltimore County Democrat who is a black pastor and opponent of gay marriage . . . said there is no way any legislation can adequately protect religious freedom when it comes to same-sex marriage.
"There is no way you can protect me from death; I'm going to die," Burns said. "You can't protect the religious community from same-sex marriage ... They don't have the knowledge to do that. They're not in our churches. They don't know what our doctrines are."
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From "O'Malley seeks religious support for same-sex marriage bill" by Annie Linskey, The Baltimore Sun 1/25/12
[Rev. Delman Coates of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Prince George's County] said he feels comfortable that the legislation would not force his church to do something against its beliefs, and he thinks that gay marriages can co-exist with traditional ones. "I think everyone is protected here," he said. "You don't have to agree with same-sex marriage as a matter of personal religious choice."
The minister's reaction is exactly what O'Malley and advocates for legalizing same-sex marriage are looking for as they begin their push in the Maryland General Assembly.
But many critics — including representatives of the Roman Catholic Church — said they remain staunchly opposed. Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said she cannot support the measure because of "the impact such a drastic change would have on all society." She added: "No changes to the bill can change that fundamental fact."
Another opponent, Republican Del. Don Dwyer of Anne Arundel County, said he's going to work "every hour of every day" to defeat the same-sex marriage bill. "It is my only legislative agenda. Period," he said.
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From "Maryland governor renews push for same-sex marriage" posted at Catholic World News 1/25/12
“More and more Marylanders … recognize that redefining marriage is not a question of civil rights,” said Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. “Our state’s marriage statute is not an arbitrary recognition of one relationship among many possibilities. This recognition--bestowed on marriage by societies throughout human history--originates in a simple biological fact. The union of one man and one woman is the only human relationship capable of creating children and nurturing them together as father and mother.”
“The bill’s limited exemptions for religious organizations remain ambiguous and by no means cover the host of circumstances that would create a conflict between the government and faith institutions if marriage is redefined,” Russell added. “Moreover, the exemptions do nothing to address religious liberties for the average citizen.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
