CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
Posted on 10/08/2004 5:37:57 PM PDT by narses
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A campaign supporting the ban of gay marriage in Michigan has raised more than $1 million headed into the Nov. 2 election, according to finance reports filed with the state Friday.
The Catholic church has donated about half the money raised by the Citizens for the Protection of Marriage campaign, which supports Michigan's Proposal 2. All Catholic dioceses in Michigan have contributed, ranging from $270,000 from the Archdiocese of Detroit to $20,000 from the Diocese of Marquette.
Catholic church leaders also have sent letters to all Michigan parishes in support of the proposal and have asked priests to preach on the matter this Sunday.
The main campaign group opposing Proposal 2, the Coalition for a Fair Michigan, has raised about $198,000. The campaign also has received nearly $27,000 in in-kind contributions.
Both reports reflect fund-raising from Jan. 1 through Oct. 1.
Both groups say fund-raising efforts will intensify as the election approaches.
"We have more than 400 donors, which shows we have great grass-roots support," said Marlene Elwell, manager of the pro-Proposal 2 campaign called Protect Marriage Yes. "That will really step up as we get closer."
The Coalition for a Fair Michigan reported nearly 1,200 donors.
"What is significant about our report is the sheer numbers of donors," said Dana Houle, the group's political director.
The Coalition for a Fair Michigan has spent about $154,000, leaving it with $43,408 on hand as of Oct. 1.
The pro-Proposal 2 group has spent $552,472, leaving it with $454,517 as of Oct. 1.
Proposal 2 would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman in the state constitution. Same-sex marriage already is outlawed in Michigan, but supporters of the ban want stronger language put in the state constitution to better prevent judges or lawmakers from changing the law.
Voters in at least nine other states face similar ballot proposals in November. Michigan's gay marriage proposal goes farther than some in that it would not only limit marriage to a union between a man and woman, it also would limit a "similar union for any purpose" to a man and a woman.
That means public employers may not have to offer typical marriage benefits, such as health care insurance, to the partners of unmarried employees regardless of the partner's sex.
Proposal 2 opponents say it also could influence some private employers to withhold domestic partner benefits.
•__
On the Net:
Citizens for the Protection of Marriage: http://www.protectmarriageyes.org
Coalition for a Fair Michigan: http://www.coalitionforafairmichigan.org/
Ping.
Here in Massachusetts, the Church was surprisingly vocal on this issue, and same sex marriage was preached against at several masses that I went to. However, it didn't do any good, as there is no and probably will continue to be no political will on the part of the legislature to do anything about rogue courts.
Does this include "civil unions" or just the word "marriage"?
I don't know.
And that's one of the many reasons my wife and I are leaving Mass. When the Lord gives the world an enema, it'll be somewhere between Fitchburg and Boston.
Why'd you pick that one? I've heard at least 100 better reasons to cop-out. All just as lame..
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
Good for the Catholics. And good, it looks like it would eliminate civil unions and "domestic partners" as well.
I loathe the whole concept of domestic partners. I knew a woman who had a horrible parrot she lived with for years. They were as domestic partners as anyone could get.
Marriage is marriage, and nothing else is.
Let me and Scripter know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
It's a cop-out to move away from a leftist cesspool?
Just for clarification:
Is that "Mass" as in "The Holy Sacrifice of the ..."
or is it "Mass" as in "The Glorious Peoples' Democratic Republic of Assachussetts"?
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
Ping!
Shouldn't be news.
Yep. If your body gets an infection it probably won't be cured by leaving it alone or waiting for someone else.
So it is with the body of Christ. Stick with it, cure it from within. I'll pray to support you and others who find themselves in this position.
I think the other freeper is planning to leave the state of Massachusetts, not Mass as in worship.
Since they mentioned Fitchburg.
As far as prayers, they are always good, for any reason, and at any time or place.
Ahhh, more advice; as you run away - don't look back.
Hmmm. So you're saying it's wrong to move away from Massachusetts too?
I would if I lived there.
Some places are lost for the time being and trying to save them is like spitting in the wind. Better to move somewhere that's more salvageable and after success is achieved and the cause of righteousness has been strengthened, then work on the areas that have become cess pools.
Some places are moral landfills.
Absolutely!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.