"Well my religion says it’s a sin. . . . but for me personally I don’t . . ."Since when do American elected government officials issue theological statements?
-- Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey (from his press release accompanying the signing statement)
For background, read California Law Saying 'Gay Kids' Can't Change Blessed by 9th Circuit Court
In addition, read Most Homosexuals Who Want to Convert Report Change and also read Homosexuality NOT Fixed, Change Possible: Study as well as Study Shows Lesbianism is NOT Genetic
UPDATE 11/5/13: Parents sue Christie for government interference with counseling of their son
UPDATE 10/20/13: Gov. Christie Implements 'Gay Marriage' after NJ Supreme Court Mandate
-- From "Chris Christie signs New Jersey ban on gay conversion therapy" by The Associated Press 8/20/13
Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill Monday barring licensed therapists from trying to turn gay teenagers straight, making New Jersey the second state to ban so-called conversion therapy, along with California.
The bill passed both houses of the New Jersey Legislature with bipartisan support in June. Assemblyman Tim Eustace, who sponsored the bill and is openly gay, described the therapy as "an insidious form of child abuse."
In a note accompanying the bill, Christie said he believes people are born gay and that homosexuality is not a sin. That view is inconsistent with his Catholic faith, which teaches that homosexual acts are sins.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Chris Christie signs N.J. bill banning gay conversion therapy" by Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times 8/19/13
The anti-conversion therapy bill, A-3371, declares that being “lesbian, gay or bisexual is not a disease, disorder, illness, deficiency or shortcoming,” and it bans licensed therapists from providing gay-to-straight conversion therapy to children under age 18.
John Tomicki of the conservative League of American Families has called the bill unconstitutional and vowed in June, after its passage, that opponents would sue to prevent it from taking effect.
A lawsuit prevented California’s ban on conversion therapy for minors from taking effect as scheduled at the start of this year, and the legislation remains on hold. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed last December to block the law pending a decision on its constitutionality. Opponents have argued that it violates free speech rights.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Chris Christie to Sign Gay Therapy Ban; Believes Homosexuality Is Not a Sin" by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter, 8/19/13
Dr. David Pruden, vice president of Operations for the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, previously told The Christian Post that there is a great deal of misinformation when it comes to gay therapy.
"This hate and misinformation campaign aimed at 'change' therapists is just political posturing and does not reflect the actual experience of individuals in therapy. All this fuss about change therapy is being used to promote a political agenda, not the well-being of clients," Dr. Pruden argued.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Chris Christie, theologian?" by Phil Lawler, CatholicCulture.org 8/21/13
. . . Two problems here. First, there’s a lively debate as to whether or not a homosexual orientation is established at birth. Christie is entitled to his opinion on that question, but his view carries no special weight; it certainly shouldn’t be the basis for legislation. . . . Second, Christie—who’s intelligent enough to know better—misrepresents the Church teaching. Whether or not a “predisposition to be homosexual” is innate, it’s not the disposition that is sinful; it’s the homosexual acts. The distinction is crucial, because if you understand the Church teaching, you can see the problem with the legislation that Christie approved.
Some people, it seems, are especially susceptible alcohol abuse. The root causes of this predisposition are not well understood. But even without rushing in where psychologists fear to tread, we can say two things. A tendency toward alcoholism is a disorder, not a sin. Yet getting drunk remains sinful—even for those who may have some innate weakness.
Now with that in mind, would anyone suggest barring psychologists from helping people to overcome a tendency toward alcoholism? Let’s hope not; such a ban would be a gross violation of individual freedoms. So is the ban on “reparative therapy.”
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "The right’s big gay dilemma: A movement divided in 2016" by Kerry Eleveld, Salon 8/26/13
While the [above] statute itself was an undeniable win for gay activists, Christie’s willful entry into the fray suggests that 2016 may be the year in which the baton is passed from Democrats to Republicans in terms of an interesting presidential debate on gay rights.
How can [Republicans] possibly reconcile wooing social conservatives in the primary with any shot at winning mainstream America in the general? The public is advancing so quickly on LGBT equality that any serious candidate will have to avoid sounding antiquated – or perhaps even bigoted – in order to have a prayer with unmarried women, independents and the under-30 crowd.
“As a country we can agree to disagree,” [2016 presidential contender Sen. Rand] Paul told an ABC reporter. “As a Republican Party, that’s kind of where we are as well. The party is going to have to agree to disagree on some of these issues.”
That sounds frighteningly close to something Barack Obama might have said as a young senator gearing up for his 2008 presidential bid.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read More High-profile Republicans Going Gay Agenda and also read GOP Strategy: Dump Old Uneducated Christian Voters as well as Nationwide Marriage Amendment Puts GOP to Test
In addition, read Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
