Court: California Same-Sex Marriage Fight Can Continue
A complex legal fight over the constitutionality of same-sex marriage is back on track after California's highest court on Thursday allowed an appeal over a controversial ballot initiative to move ahead in federal court.
At issue is Proposition 8, a voter-approved measure that would recognize marriage only between one man and one woman. A federal judge had earlier struck down the law as a violation of equal protection, prompting an appeal to a higher court.
The sticking point was who would defend "Prop 8" in court, after the state's top officials– including the governor and attorney general– refused to do so. A federal appeals court had asked the California Supreme Court to weigh in and decide whether supporters of the law - called the "official proponents" - could take the place of state officials.
In its ruling Thursday, the state high court said yes.
"Neither the governor, the attorney general, nor any other executive or legislative official has the authority to veto or invalidate an initiative measure that has been approved by the voters," said the court's majority. "It would exalt form over substance to interpret California law in a manner that would permit these public officials to indirectly achieve such a result by denying the official initiative proponents the authority to step in to assert the state's interest in the validity of the measure or to appeal a lower court judgment invalidating the measure when those public officials decline to assert that interest or to appeal an adverse judgment."
The initiative was approved by voters in 2008. –CNN
A complex legal fight over the constitutionality of same-sex marriage is back on track after California's highest court on Thursday allowed an appeal over a controversial ballot initiative to move ahead in federal court.
At issue is Proposition 8, a voter-approved measure that would recognize marriage only between one man and one woman. A federal judge had earlier struck down the law as a violation of equal protection, prompting an appeal to a higher court.
The sticking point was who would defend "Prop 8" in court, after the state's top officials– including the governor and attorney general– refused to do so. A federal appeals court had asked the California Supreme Court to weigh in and decide whether supporters of the law - called the "official proponents" - could take the place of state officials.
In its ruling Thursday, the state high court said yes.
"Neither the governor, the attorney general, nor any other executive or legislative official has the authority to veto or invalidate an initiative measure that has been approved by the voters," said the court's majority. "It would exalt form over substance to interpret California law in a manner that would permit these public officials to indirectly achieve such a result by denying the official initiative proponents the authority to step in to assert the state's interest in the validity of the measure or to appeal a lower court judgment invalidating the measure when those public officials decline to assert that interest or to appeal an adverse judgment."
The initiative was approved by voters in 2008. –CNN
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Cross Removed At Base In Afghanistan
A large cross that had been prominently displayed outside a chapel on an isolated military base in northern Afghanistan was taken down last week, prompting outrage from some American service members stationed there.
“We are here away from our families, and the chapel is the one place that feels like home,” a service member at Camp Marmal told POLITICO. “With the cross on the outside, it is a constant reminder for all of us that Jesus is here for us.”
“Not having it there is really upsetting,” added another. “I walk by the chapel daily on the way to chow and the gym, and seeing the cross is a daily reminder of my faith and what Jesus accomplished for me. It is daily inspiration and motivation for me to acknowledge my faith and stay on the right path.” -Vision To America
A large cross that had been prominently displayed outside a chapel on an isolated military base in northern Afghanistan was taken down last week, prompting outrage from some American service members stationed there.
“We are here away from our families, and the chapel is the one place that feels like home,” a service member at Camp Marmal told POLITICO. “With the cross on the outside, it is a constant reminder for all of us that Jesus is here for us.”
“Not having it there is really upsetting,” added another. “I walk by the chapel daily on the way to chow and the gym, and seeing the cross is a daily reminder of my faith and what Jesus accomplished for me. It is daily inspiration and motivation for me to acknowledge my faith and stay on the right path.” -Vision To America
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Porn And The Church Member
A study conducted by LifeWay Research reveals that pornography has adversely affected the lives of church members.
The survey of a thousand American Protestant pastors shows that while most of them concur that viewing of porn has adversely affected members of their flocks, almost half are unable to estimate what percentage of those members actually view pornography.
"A number of pastors were really unwilling to discuss the topic -- and 14 percent of them were not even willing to relate to how it has impacted the lives of their members," says LifeWay Research spokesman Scott McConnell. "But among those who did, 81 percent agreed that pornography has adversely affected the lives of their church members, including 42 percent who strongly agreed with that statement."
Most of the pastors surveyed felt that less than 10 percent of their members are involved in pornography on a regular basis. But McConnell says it is important for people, including pastors, to understand the church is not immune to the problem.
"Most studies that have dug in deeply on sexual issues do show church attendees are less likely to be caught up in some of those sinful activities," he acknowledges, "but it's still present. And so when it's so pervasive in our society today, it's important for us to be aware that it's going to be impacting some of the members of our churches."
McConnell also tells OneNewsnow that the Bible provides God's plan for sexuality -- and it is a message that the church needs to hear regularly, he points out, because church members are also hearing the culture speak in a direction contrary to biblical teaching.
The survey, conducted in October 2010, addressed the estimated viewing habits of both men and women in congregations. –One News Now
A study conducted by LifeWay Research reveals that pornography has adversely affected the lives of church members.
The survey of a thousand American Protestant pastors shows that while most of them concur that viewing of porn has adversely affected members of their flocks, almost half are unable to estimate what percentage of those members actually view pornography.
"A number of pastors were really unwilling to discuss the topic -- and 14 percent of them were not even willing to relate to how it has impacted the lives of their members," says LifeWay Research spokesman Scott McConnell. "But among those who did, 81 percent agreed that pornography has adversely affected the lives of their church members, including 42 percent who strongly agreed with that statement."
Most of the pastors surveyed felt that less than 10 percent of their members are involved in pornography on a regular basis. But McConnell says it is important for people, including pastors, to understand the church is not immune to the problem.
"Most studies that have dug in deeply on sexual issues do show church attendees are less likely to be caught up in some of those sinful activities," he acknowledges, "but it's still present. And so when it's so pervasive in our society today, it's important for us to be aware that it's going to be impacting some of the members of our churches."
McConnell also tells OneNewsnow that the Bible provides God's plan for sexuality -- and it is a message that the church needs to hear regularly, he points out, because church members are also hearing the culture speak in a direction contrary to biblical teaching.
The survey, conducted in October 2010, addressed the estimated viewing habits of both men and women in congregations. –One News Now
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