12/05/2008
Becket Fund Launches Full Page Ad in NYT Condemning Anti-Religion Violence Over Prop 8
On Tuesday I reported that the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty was preparing a full-page ad for the New York Times condemning violence against religion, which they claim occurred during protests following the Proposition 8 in California. Proposition 8, which was funded to the tune of over $20 million in Mormon contributions solicited by the Church of Latter Day Saints, revoked the civil rights of millions of Californians by effectively banning same-sex marriage in the state. The Becket Fund's ad ran today and you can read it above.
The ad is attached to a website, NoMobVeto.org, and solicits signatures endorsing a campaign to"expose and publicly shame anyone who resorts to the rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry — against any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason."
The ad makes reference to envelopes containing white powder sent "to terrorize places of worship." Those envelopes were under investigation by the FBI at last report and the incident was condemned by LGBT leaders, among them Equality Utah's Public Policy Manager Will Carlson, who said: "We have no idea what the source is of this vandalism or white envelopes, whatever. But there is no place in this dialogue, in this dialogue that needs to happen, for violence, no place for vandalism and no place for intimidation."
The ad is signed by Kevin J. "Seamus" Hasson – The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Nathan J. Diament – Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Rick Cizik – National Association of Evangelicals, Ronald J. Sider – Evangelicals for Social Action, Chuck Colson – Prison Fellowship, Chris Seiple – Institute for Global Engagement, Dr. Alveda King – civil rights activist, William A. Donohue – Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Robert Seiple – Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Douglas Laycock – University of Michigan Law School, Marvin Olasky – The King's College, New York City, Roger Scruton – writer and philosopher, Armando Valladares – former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission."
Said Becket Founder Kevin "Seamus" Hasson in a letter sent to Towleroad regarding the ad placement: "This is a lesson America had to learn the hard way, overcoming bigotry against Jews, Catholics, and other religious minorities, and we are committed to not letting the country forget it."
UPDATE: HRC responds...
UPDATE II: GLAAD calls for letters to the NYT...
Posted 11:59 AM EST by Andy Towle in Bill Donohue, California, Gay Marriage, Mormon, News, Proposition 8, Religion | Permalink
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OK, I'm fed up with the idea that religious charities can contribute tax-free to taking away our rights, but our opposition is taxed.
Can't we start our own religious charity that will support all gay political causes and be a 501(3)c? If they can do it, why can't we? Maybe something through MCC or UU Churches?? Somebody? Any ideas?
Posted by: Kevinvt | Dec 5, 2008 12:50:04 PM
Would they take out a full page ad "shaming" people who engage in anti-gay violence? Doubtful. Its perfectly defensible for people of their ilk to make our lives uncomfortable, for the bible tells them so. Fuck that and fuck them.
Posted by: g_whiz | Dec 5, 2008 12:57:20 PM
Through the wonder of Facebook, I've had some interesting conversations with a long-lost grade school friend who is Mormon and supported Prop 8. The exchanges were very enlightening for me.
Let me be clear when I say that I opposed Prop 8 as virulently as any gay man, but I think many of us are failing to recognize that under the current environment members of LDS (the Mormon Church) do feel in harm's way. Just because we've gone through persecution and violence doesn't mean we have a right to inflict it on others.
This ad has merit. We need to elevate our message or risk further alienating those who oppose us.
Posted by: Erik H. | Dec 5, 2008 1:00:27 PM
Simple solution: Revoke all churches' tax exempt status so they can campaign harder to fight the homosexual agenda. They will no longer be held back by IRS regulation.
Disregard the 90% that will be bankrupt by the end of next year because churches are little more than state sponsored scams.
Posted by: Iko | Dec 5, 2008 1:01:06 PM
The signatures at the bottom are a veritable "Who's Who" of enemies, aren't they?
So, where is the HRC ad? Where is the GLAAD ad? Hell, where is MoveOn.org? Are they asleep at the wheel on this one?
The backlash has been coming for a while because we all didn't sit down on the back of the bus when Prop 8 told us to. Heh.
It's going to get darn ugly before this crap is all over folks. Buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Posted by: Darren | Dec 5, 2008 1:02:57 PM
Anyone remember the reaction to the Rodney King verdict when African Americans were fed up with being mistreated by the system? And these Religious bigots are calling for us to be more gentle. Wow.
But I think we need to take action to stop this lie from getting any more traction. The idea that "violence" has been done to any religious folk is completely bogus. I googled 'violence and prop 8' and the only stories of violence that I found are being reported in the CHRISTIAN media!! I could find NO plausible reports of any kind that gays were committing acts of violence on poor, helpless Christian victims. They are trumpeting this meme to try to paint us as violent thugs (in addition to being perverts and sinners) who are less than civil and therefore not deserving of civil rights. We know it's a lie, but if they go unchallenged on this, a lot of the public will believe them just like they believed the 'yes on 8' advertising smears. I think a lot people, including glbts, accept that there were some violent incidents after prop 8 passed, when there were virtually NONE.
I would like to see Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow or the NYT to do an in depth report on these bogus charges.
Posted by: Jeffrey | Dec 5, 2008 1:05:36 PM
Oh, it's so fucking ON!
Posted by: freddy | Dec 5, 2008 1:10:46 PM
Tax the church!,Tax religious dogma!,Tax the church! They obviously have tons of money to throw around on POLITICAL campaigns so why shouldn't they pay their fair share into the federal tax,state tax and local tax structures for the benefit of all citizens? Tax the fucking church already. It's the ONLY way to really be fair.
Posted by: SFshawn | Dec 5, 2008 1:13:59 PM
Oooh, they're going to shame me! I can't wait! And then maybe we can talk about priests who fuck little kids, polygamists who marry pre-pubescent girls, religious groups who believe African-Americans are black because they carry the mark of sin ... oh so many topics we can discuss! Can't. Fucking. Wait!
Posted by: Bob | Dec 5, 2008 1:15:49 PM
Bogus on so many levels.
The so-called violence they're talking about is small-scale and mostly unproven. It pales in comparison to routine violence and hate crimes against LGBT people. As for intimidation, having rights stripped away is rather more intimidating than being rightly targeted for your public bigoted actions.
What the straight religious people refuse to understand is that it is not belief vs. belief. We can protest outside their churches (and only are because they refuse to stay out of our lives), but they are still free to practice their religion and believe what they want to believe. They are free to marry. Their rights are unaffected. Meanwhile, their actions--which seek to inflict their personal religious views on a minority within secular society--have actual consequences in our lives and deprive us of rights. They are, of course, the ones overstepping their bounds, yet they're crying victim. The scary part is their tactics may work better on the ignorant majority than ours, unless smart people on our side (our 21st century Milks) start taking the lead. This ad is nothing if not an act of intimidation.
Posted by: Ernie | Dec 5, 2008 1:16:21 PM
Oooh, they're going to shame me! I can't wait! And then maybe we can talk about priests who fuck little kids, polygamists who marry pre-pubescent girls, religious groups who believe African-Americans are black because they carry the mark of sin ... oh so many topics we can discuss! Can't. Fucking. Wait!
Posted by: Bob | Dec 5, 2008 1:18:34 PM
Let them spend big! Lets see how much more people really believe in their cause and how far they are willing to support it.
I know that we are on the right side of history, and that alone empowers us far beyond their bigotry and hate.
Posted by: Rafael | Dec 5, 2008 1:18:54 PM
Erik- give us some examples of violence and persecution perpetrated on these so-called Christians that give this ad some merit....
Posted by: Jeffrey | Dec 5, 2008 1:19:03 PM
if you take away the rights of a whole class of people you are an idiot to think you aren't going to face some criticism over it or suffer some consequences.
no one has determined who the white powder came from. some suggest that they may have even sent it to themselves. but to LEAP to the conclusion that it must have come from the LGBT community and therefore condemn us wholly is slanderous.
fuck them and the angel moroni they rode in on. if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
Posted by: psgoodguy | Dec 5, 2008 1:19:05 PM
I think this is GREAT!- It is the perfect response for a number of reasons.
1. It will cause more people to investigate what issues are at stake and what the circumstance is behind this ad.
2. It will cause more of our progressive allies in the responsible media to critique this letter and shame it for its blatant hypocrisy and carefully guided misrepresentation of facts (similar to their pro-Prop 8 campaign.)
3. It will further galvanize the glbt community.
4. The assertions implicitly leveled against the glbt community can be exposed for its baseless attacks. Those of our fellow Americans who wish to see us as mob attackers are simply adopting a new line of prejudice. It's becoming less and less acceptable to express outright bigotry because the framework has changed. But that doesn't mean that bigotry isn't still alive and well. Which brings me to my next point.
5. Does Kevin Hassom expect the average American to now view the glbt community as a intimidating mob-like group? ???? So, first the general stereotype is that glbt persons are weak, feeble and without the ability to stand up for themselves. Suddenly now we're a threat? Which diction I guess depends on the range of political gullibility but one cannot have it both ways. Puh-leaze- next!
Of course, the letter only mentions a white powder being sent to the church which even were the story to be credible (meaning it's not an insight plant), says little to nothing about the glbt community and its supporters. The fact that Hasson implicitly draws a relationship to glbt tactics and unidentified powder with no clue or claim to responsibility from anyone is like the Bush regime drawing a relationship between Iraq and 9/11. (*sigh* some people never learn.)
Here's another good thing about this letter.
5. Hasson has now given the glbt some mighty fine prominence and political might. If any church publicly cries out that they are a victim they have already handed over their power. That this power has been handed over to the glbt community is all the more amusing. (It would be hysterical if it were not so dangerous.)
& here's my last line of reasoning>
6. They're scared and for good reason.
Thank you Kevin Hasson for validating that we are indeed a political force and when focused and determined can majorly change the political landscape. And we have only just begun...
peace.
Posted by: Ed | Dec 5, 2008 1:19:50 PM
erik h:
if members of LDS feel in harm's way so be it. the brought it on themselves. it would be totally disingenuous for them to think that the people whose lives they affected would simply accept being oppressed or living in this country as 2nd or 3rd class citizens.
as far as elevating the message? fuck that shit! it matters not what sort of message we put out there. the religious right is not going to like no matter how elevated it is. besides, elevated messages are not something these people understand anyhow. in fact, they've basically demonstrated over the past 3 decates that they're not educable in the first place. i'd say it's time for a good ass whompin instead.
Posted by: alguien | Dec 5, 2008 1:26:01 PM
p.s. I know all of my many muslim, jewish, baha'i, hindu, "whatever" friends are eagerly awaiting his show of support whence the next time comes around that they are experiencing hate for their religion.
Since it's clear that Hasson is an honest person I know they look forward to his presence in their time of need.
Posted by: Ed | Dec 5, 2008 1:28:40 PM
KEVINVT: I certainly empathize with your anger on the tax topic, but it's pretty tricky. You have to show that the political advocacy is NOT a substantial portion of your operation to stay tax exempt [501(c)(3)]. The problem there is that "substantial" is somewhat subjective.
But if you focus on education (not on specific candidates and not on specific votes), you can stay Kosher and avoid the gray area.
Posted by: David R. | Dec 5, 2008 1:30:32 PM
Also, I encourage everyone here to participate in the PFLAG Speakers Bureau program. I'm not sure how it works in other areas, but here in the Seattle area, 3 or 4 of us (GLBT and Parents of) go talk to college and middle school students a ~4 times a year. We talk about our lives and families and answer questions. It's a fantastic way to combat ignorance at the grassroots level.
[Sorry for the many/disjointed posts, but I'm on childcare duty today.]
Posted by: David R. | Dec 5, 2008 1:34:03 PM
The use of "mob" in this ad is masterfully deceptive.
Of course, Prop 8 was passed by the most naked demagoguery, and what opposes it are our civil institutions.
Posted by: Distingué Traces | Dec 5, 2008 1:34:24 PM
That voice you hear is Harvey Milk shouting:
OUT OF THE BLOGS AND INTO THE STREETS!
OUT OF THE BLOGS AND INTO THE STREETS!
[and behind him is a chorus shouting the same thing made up of Harry Hay and Del Martin and Leonard Matlovich and Matthew Shepard and Gwen Araujo and Barbara Gittings and Vito Russo and Bruce Voeller and Jean O'Leary and Allen Spear and Lawrence King and Brandon Teena and PFC Barry Winchell and Sylvia Ramirez and Allen Schindler and and and and and and..........
OUT OF THE BLOGS & INTO THE STREETS!
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Dec 5, 2008 1:34:35 PM
@ MICHAEL BEDWELL: yes, yes, but are you actually organizing a protest? What concrete action do you suggest?
Posted by: David R. | Dec 5, 2008 1:41:49 PM
What a crock of shit and spin. Considering the amount of people and protests there has been ittle to NO Violence. The Ad was placed just to make people think there has been ALOT MORE going on than there has and to make us look like the bad guys.
Maybe they could take out a Full Page Ad asking their wingnut followers not to fagBash and Murder us as many have done in the past and will probably in the future.
Posted by: Wolfie | Dec 5, 2008 1:42:41 PM
Erik H,
While wishing hate and fear onto someone is wrong, I think it is a good lesson to teach Mormons. You said your friend is fearful of being in harms way. Maybe he can realize this is how homosexuals feel on a daily basis, vulnerable and the target of hate and discrimination.
I am not condoning to illicit fear on someone, but your friend's argument that Mormons are in harms way needs to be rebutted with the fact the other side feels the same way because of what LDS has done.
Posted by: dbzeag | Dec 5, 2008 1:45:02 PM
alguien:
I think we can learn from other civil rights causes: all involved civil disruption and violence, but it were the peaceful protests and rational minds that influenced real change.
Posted by: Erik H | Dec 5, 2008 1:46:00 PM