Via JMG: Hate Group Leader Peter Sprigg Pens Op-Ed Published By Salt Lake Tribune

"The last few weeks have been a roller coaster for marriage law in Utah. On Dec. 13, U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups vindicated years of slippery slope arguments by opponents of marriage redefinition by declaring the state’s law criminalizing polygamous cohabitation to be unconstitutional. One week later, on Dec. 20, another U.S. District Court judge, Robert J. Shelby, declared that Utah’s state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman violates the U.S. Constitution. Officials in Utah began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately. [snip]

"That problem is solved by the State Marriage Defense Act, which provides that a marriage will not be recognized by the federal government if it is not recognized by the state in which a person lives. Every American’s marital status in the eyes of the federal government would be the same as in the eyes of the state where he or she lives. This is consistent with both the Windsor ruling and what it called the States’ 'historic and essential authority to define the marital relation.' It would also mitigate the confusion and chaos created in Utah by one federal judge and Attorney General Holder." - FRC vice president and hate group leader Peter Sprigg, in an op-ed published today by the Salt Lake Tribune.

RELATED: Sprigg has appeared on national television to declare that "there should be criminal sanctions for homosexuality" and that LGBT Americans should be "exported" out of the country. I encourage you to hit the link and leave some educational comments. And don't forget Sprigg's KKK-affiliated boss, Tony Perkins.

ALSO RELATED: 52 Republicans and one (retiring this year) Democrat have now cosponsored Rep. Randy Weber's so-called State Marriage Defense Act, which Weber openly admits was written by the Family Research Council. Among the latest cosponsors is Rep. Paul "Evolution Is A Lie From Satan" Broun (R-GA.) That brings the total of cosponsors to a pathetic 12% of the US House, almost one month after the bill's introduction.

Labels: bigotry, crackpots, FRC, hate groups, KKK, marriage equality, Peter Sprigg, Randy Weber, religion, Tony Perkins, Utah

Reposted from Joe Jervis

JMG Quote Of The Day - Chris Kluwe

"What is the true price of fame? The price of fame is what you risk when you have the platform. As an athlete, a role model for society, people listen to you. As an athlete, when you make a statement, that statement is heard, no matter what that statement is. Speak up for LBGTQ rights, for human rights, for empathy? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Stay silent, keep your head down, count the money and endorsements? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Either way, you're the one who has to live with what you did or didn't do. I hope that athletes speak out at Sochi on LBGTQ issues, even knowing the possible risks that await them.

"I know that it could cost them their livelihoods, their careers, everything they've worked towards. I know that it can lead to recriminations, harsh words from a public who just wants their entertainment, no matter how much blood it's packaged in. I know that it's one of the hardest steps a person can take, and that there is no guarantee of a reward at the end, other than knowing you did the right thing at the right time with nothing to show for it but angry tweets and emails tempered by the messages of support and affection from those in whose lives you made a difference, those currently being abused by the oppressive and ignorant." - Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe, writing for the Guardian.

RELATED: In the above-linked piece, Kluwe opens by slamming Sochi's corporate sponsors. Among his suggested replacement marketing slogans: "Today's refreshing anti-gay beating brought to you by Coca-Cola!"

Labels: activism, Chris Kluwe, Guardian, LGBT rights, NFL, Russia, Sochi Olympics, sports, straight allies

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Chico Xavier e amigos / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma February 7, 2014

The Dawn of Virtue

We all enter the spiritual path as ego-based beings, and as such we have ego-based hopes and fears. Practice is virtually never what we expect. We feel like we’ve got it all wrong, thinking, 'The more I meditate, the worse I become.' My teacher, Gendun Rinpoche, always responded to this by saying, 'When you see your own shortcomings, it’s the dawn of qualities. If you only see your qualities, there’s a problem.'

- Lama Tsony, "Facing Fear"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through February 8, 2014
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Panti's Noble Call at the Abbey Theatre

Via JMG: The Case Against Scott Lively

 

Above are just two panels from a graphic novel-style telling of the case brought against hate group leader Scott Lively by the Center For Constitutional Rights. Read the full thing. If you've not yet considered kicking in to help their legal costs, you can read their plea here.

Labels: bigotry, Christian Love, evil, gay death penalty, hate groups, lawsuits, religion, Russia, Scott Lively, Uganda

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma February 6, 2014

First Thought, Worst Thought

The idea that “everyone has buddhanature” means that everyone has the capacity to awaken, not that we just have to get out of the way of our intuition. It is the nature of greed, hatred, and delusion, deep in our minds, to disguise themselves, and to mislead us into harmful behavior. We do have the potential to awaken, but we must do the hard work of distinguishing when we are motivated by greed, hatred, and delusion, and when we are motivated by their opposites—generosity, kindness, and wisdom.

- Lynn Kelly, "First Thought Worst Thought"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through February 7, 2014
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What I want to be when I grow up: Daniel Orey at TEDxSacramento has made it past 1800 hits!

Thnaks ever so much to those of you who have taken time to watch...

Matt Zarley feat Mark Picchiotti - Somebody 4 Everybody (Official Music Video)

Via JMG: WaPo Publishes Interactive Marriage Map

 

The Washington Post has published an interactive marriage equality map which doesn't show all the lawsuits currently in progress, but it does highlight the states where we seem to be closest to a win.

Labels: lawsuits, maps, marriage equality, WaPo

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: Vatican Survey: Vast Majority Of Catholics Reject The Rules Of The Vatican

According to a new Vatican survey, the "vast majority" of Catholics in Germany and Switzerland reject the Vatican's rules about "contraception, sexual morality, gay unions and divorce."

The Vatican took the unusual step of commissioning the surveys ahead of a major meeting of bishops that Pope Francis has called for October to discuss family issues. The poll was sent last year to every national conference of bishops with a request to share it widely among Catholic institutions, parishes and individuals. This week, German and Swiss bishops reported the results: The church's core teachings on sexual morals, birth control, homosexuality, marriage and divorce were rejected as unrealistic and outdated by the vast majority of Catholics, who nevertheless said they were active in parish life and considered their faith vitally important. Also surprising was the eagerness with which the bishops publicized the results. The German bishops' conference released them simultaneously in German, Italian and English on their website, and the Swiss held a press conference.

Of particular note, survey respondents found the Vatican's ban on contraception to be "blatantly immoral" when it comes to the use of condoms to stop HIV transmission. Several years ago, former Pope Benedict made statements regarding condoms and HIV that some interpreted as a softening of the church's stance. But at a 2011 HIV/AIDS conference held at the Vatican, officials reiterated their opposition to all condom use.

Labels: Catholic Church, religion, surveys, Vatican

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma February 5, 2014

No Mean Preacher

Unpack karma and you get cause and effect. Unpack cause and effect and you get affinity. Unpack affinity and you get the tendency to coalesce. Unpack the tendency to coalesce and you get intimacy. Unpack intimacy and you will find that you contain all beings. Unpack containment and there is the goddess of mercy herself.

- Robert Aitken Roshi, “No Mean Preacher”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through February 6, 2014
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Bahá’í Faith’s Stance on Homosexuality

 Unfortunately this article is disingenuous at best.  The Bahai Faith is homophobic, and prejudicial against gays and lesbians. GLBT Bahaís are treated as second class citizens, and shunned... they have let many of us know that we are not welcome in their communities... someone needs to do their homework here.

 

Homosexuality is a very common topic in all faiths — the Bahá’í Faith is no different. Unlike many other religions, however homosexuality is not prevented nor advocated against because it would be “against the spirit of the Faith,” according to a 2010 letter from Kenneth E. Bowers, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. The Bahá’í Faith teaches that it is only acceptable to have sexual expression within marriage. Another teaching states that marriage is between a man and woman. The importance of absolute chastity and personal restraint in unmarried persons is stressed more so than the gender of a potential partner.

Homosexuality, according to Bahá’í Faith teachings, is a condition to control and subdue, but recently, singling out homosexuality over other transgressions is frowned upon. Gay and lesbians may have membership in the Bahá’í community, and although it is commonplace to advise and sympathize with them, membership is permitted. However, those who have “accepted the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh” are not permitted to enter into a same-sex marriage.

Bahá’í teachings say that homosexuals should not be condemned as outcasts, nor do Bahá’ís expect those of other faiths to follow Bahá’í laws. Bowers goes on to say, “In attempting to reconcile what may appear to be conflicting obligations, it is important to understand that the Bahá’í community does not seek to impose its values on others, nor does it pass judgment on others on the basis of its own moral standards.”

The writings state to treat all with respect and dignity without exception; discrimination and intolerance is not supported by any Bahá’í teachings. The adherence of laws for social conduct remains up to the individual, unless their actions are causing harm to the community. Spiritual Assemblies are instructed to be patient, as well as to persuade members to accept the laws out of conviction and desire, rather than blind faith. The Bahá’í Faith for the most part neither advocates nor discriminates against the gay community.

The only time an individual is sanctioned by the Spiritual Assembly for being damaging to the image of the Bahá’í Faith in regards to sexuality is if an individual is being sexually promiscuous. These sanctions remove the ability to contribute funds, vote or hold office within the community and bar an individual from the Nineteen Day Feast, a monthly spiritual gathering. This consequence is used only in cases of public scandal and in very flagrant cases. Often the individual is placed on probation, if disregard continues the assembly may remove the person’s administrative rights. This is similar to ex-communication of the Catholic faith; however other Bahá’í members are not directed to avoid fellowship and interaction with the de-administrated individual.

Resources

• National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
• Bahá’í on Facebook
• Bahá’í on Twitter

Via The Other 98% / FB:

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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma February 4, 2014

Suffering as Proof

Our suffering is proof not of who we are—violent because of “human nature”—but of the fact that we are deluded, that we don’t know ourselves, and that if we are to end suffering we must, as Nietzsche says, become who we really are.

- Curtis White, "The Science Delusion"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma February 3, 2014

The Bodhisattva's Edge

Whatever you feel is right at the edge of your familiar world, that's the edge of your bodhisattva vow, the edge of your deep intention to wake up with what is.

- Myogen Steve Stücky, "The Three Friends of Winter"

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"The Peace Sign" - #GayPropaganda - Stand With LGBT Russia