Judge to Christian mom: No 'homophobic' teaching

Worldnetdaily ^ | October 31, 2003

[scripter]

A Colorado mother is appealing a child custody decision in which a court barred her from teaching homosexuality is wrong.

Cheryl Clark, who says she is a Christian, has been ordered by Denver County Circuit Judge John W. Coughlin to "make sure that there is nothing in the religious upbringing or teaching that the minor child is exposed to that can be considered homophobic."

The directive arose from the decision to award joint parenting responsibilities for her daughter to a practicing homosexual.

"Forbidding the raising of children in the parent's Christian beliefs is an anathema to parental rights and religious freedom," said Mathew D. Staver, president and general counsel of Florida-based Liberty Counsel. "Must the mother rip out pages of the Bible that say homosexuality is against nature, or must she cover her child's ears if her pastor preaches about sexual purity?"

Staver explained to WorldNetDaily Clark and Elsey McLeod were in a lesbian relationship that broke up after Clark became a Christian and concluded homosexual behavior was wrong.

The Denver court gave McLeod join custody of Clark's adopted daughter, Emma, even though McLeod had no legal relationship to the girl. It also, in conjunction with the ruling in favor of McLeod, said Clark cannot raise her child with any religious teaching or upbringing that is "homophobic."

Staver said courts cannot "give parents a no-win decision of either abandoning their Christian beliefs or abandoning their children."

The definition of "homophobic," Staver noted, is "all across the board," from being fearful of homosexuals to disagreeing with their lifestyle.

"It takes no stretch of the imagination to envision a judge finding the mother in contempt of court for merely teaching her daughter about the Biblical truths on homosexuality," he said.

Liberty Counsel filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the mother in her case before the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Staver notes the U.S. Supreme Court has long held that the Constitution guarantees the freedom to "worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience." Similarly, he said, the high court has acknowledged "the values of parental direction of the religious upbringing and education of our children in their early and formative years have a high place in our society."

Another troubling aspect of this case, he said, is the award of visitation and joint parenting responsibilities to a third-party who has no legal relationship to the daughter or the mother.

The decision, according to Staver, stands in direct conflict with precedent throughout the country that denies visitation to a third party based solely on that person's prior sexual relationship with the legal parent.

Staver told WND he is not aware of any similar cases in the U.S., although there have been some in which a judge has told a parent not to say anything degrading about the other parent's lifestyle.

None, to his knowledge, however, have gone to the extent of Coughlin, issuing a directive that restricts a parent's religious practice.

[scripter]

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[Howlin]

This absolutely HAS to be unconstitutional.

[scripter]

This absolutely HAS to be unconstitutional.

I would really like to hear what Jay Seculow of the ACLJ has to say about it.

[f.Christian]

Wasn't a Christian man turned down by big brothers - sisters for character - moral defects !

[stands2reason]

Free speech, free exercise of religion....and they gave her homosexual ex-lover joint custody for no reason! And now the reformed homosexual can't get her daughter away from that life, and now must withhold her own beliefs from her? This is such unmitigated bullskite. I'm sickened.

[Proud to Be a McCarthyist]

Commu-Nazism at its best. Why don't I see Coughlin issuing any directives to McLeod not to say anything that contradicts the Bible in front of Emma? After all, shouldn't the sword of tolerance cut both ways?

Tammy Bruce, oddly enough, has made some interesting points about this issue. She thinks the gay elites have gone too far (she's a lesbian herself!). I recommend reading through The Death of Right and Wrong. A couple flimsy liberal dogmas can be found, but some VERY interesting points are made especially regarding the treatment of Christians.

[scripter]

This is just so wrong.

• Woman adopts girl at some time
• Woman's in a lesbian relationship
• Woman becomes a Christian and convicted of her lesbian lifestyle and leaves it
• A judge awards joint custody of adopted girl to lesbian ex-girlfriend who has no legal relationship to child
• Woman cannot tell the truth about homosexuality to daughter

I can't really say what I want to say.

[GeronL]

Do liberals believe in freedom of thought?
Ya gotta be kidding

[scripter]

I keep hearing about Bruce's book but haven't had the urge to go get it... yet.

[Lurker]

Freedom of thought?

Yea. You're free to think just the way they tell you to. Or else.

L

[Porterville]

Wow, if a judge told me I had to raise my kid like that, well then I'd move to Russia and get my freedom back... funny world.

[JoJo Gunn]

And to think there was some moron "Freeper" a while back who asked me to define HomoFascism, as if it didn't exist.

[f.Christian]

I was called the ghengis khan of Christianity today for libeling evolutionists ...

calling them nazis ---

I asked ...


When did evos become ... democratic - pluralistic --- I missed it !


No answer ... waiting !

Move to Russia to get our freedom back ... that's a jolt --- mind therapy !

[Cultural Jihad]

Well expressed, f.C.

[Dianna]

bookmark

[scripter]

Watch my profile for an update of the categorical index thread. I'll have many more articles and a different, hopefully easier to read format.

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links

That'll be one you want to bookmark as well.

[f.Christian]

Well expressed, f.C.

[enuu]

You summed it up exactly. But even if this woman had not converted to Christianity, why should she have to share custody of her own adopted daughter with someone unrelated to her? If an ex-boyfriend tried to get custody of his former girlfriend's daughter, every woman's group would protest against it.

[scripter]

Wow, if a judge told me I had to raise my kid like that, well then I'd move to Russia and get my freedom back... funny world.

Perhaps a civil war will happen before we have to resort to leaving the country.

[Jim Robinson]

So, we're supposed to be proud of you for calling people nazis?

[Porterville]

We are all entitled to our belief systems... I for one put Christianity and science in a box and mix them together...

[f.Christian]

MILLER: I’m not as sure of my guesswork anymore. To be on the Left, you have to be amazingly certain about things you’re guessing at, and I felt like a phony. I was looking for ideas, and all I was getting from liberals was, “We’d like a little more of your money, and we’re kind of reticent to protect you from bad guys.” Really? That’s all you’re offering? I gotta go! I can’t stay anymore. Also, when I kept hearing liberals equating Giuliani with Hitler—that’s when I really left the reservation. Even before 9/11, I’d travel to New York and say, “Wow, this city certainly seems to be running better.” Giuliani is the kind of leader I admire. When it’s five degrees below zero and you arrest somebody to get him inside and off the street—that’s not something Hitler would do. It made me realize that I was with the wrong group if that’s what Hitler looked like to them.



TAE: Where do you see the danger in that?



MILLER: I always wondered how Hitler happened. I even went so far as to read William L. Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I read all 1,200 pages and at the end of it I remember thinking, “Yeah, but how does Hitler happen?” Part of it has to do with the Left mislabeling people as Hitler. It’s like Pierce Brosnan at the end of the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. He dressed everybody up in the same Bowler cap and overcoat, and then he walks right through the middle of them without being noticed. The Left is so busy saying John Ashcroft is Hitler, and President Bush is Hitler, and Rudy Giuliani is Hitler that the only guy they wouldn’t call Hitler was the foreign guy with the mustache who was throwing people who disagreed with him into the wood-chipper.

[scripter]

But even if this woman had not converted to Christianity, why should she have to share custody of her own adopted daughter with someone unrelated to her? If an ex-boyfriend tried to get custody of his former girlfriend's daughter, every woman's group would protest against it.

My wife just said the same thing. The judge's directive stinks enough that perhaps the judge is homosexual? Dunno. But it really stinks and if I were Clark, I'd be making a whole lot of noise.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

WTF, I mean just WTF is this?

[GeronL]

I think he should understand the subtle difference between a National Socialist, NAZI and a Democrat Socialist, DAZI.

He should call them DAZI's. =o)

[f.Christian]

DENNIS MILLER: In this messed up world, I like seeing my President pray. I don’t think a person can get answers out of books anymore. This is an infinitely complex world and at some point one has to have faith in one’s religion. I find it endearing that President Bush prays to God and that he’s not an agnostic or an atheist. I’m glad there’s someone higher that he has to answer to.

[GeronL]

Better than someone who think he is God

[Dianna]

Thank you. I'm currently in a "discussion" with my health ed prof. She ran the film "It's Elementary" on Wednesday. Opening my mouth during class would have meant a certain lynching, so after class I sent her an e-mail expressing my concern about the bigoted and stereotypical view of Christians displayed in the film.

I'm printing this article to show to her.

[f.Christian]

THIS JUST IN: Coalition troops have turned up documents written by Saddam Hussein, in which he refers to his sons as ... Uday --- and Bubba.

[AmericanVictory]

It is, no doubt, but will that deter the Olympians of the bench, who left the Constitution behind a while back?

[clee1]

On appeal, there is NO WAY this stands up.

Joint custody w/ a non-involved person, 1st amendment issues; an obviously pro-homosexual activist decision.

This will get tossed out.

[GeronL]

Uday and Bubba, haha

[f.Christian]

The lone star one man party ...

I have one ... realitarian --- too !

[f.Christian]

Uday and Bubba, haha

[GeronL]

Yes, I believe in one man, one party. I think there should be many more parties. =o)

[MissAmericanPie]

Pressure needs to be put on congress and state houses to impeach these run away judicial totalitarians. Most of the nations deterioration can be laid at their door step. These anti-constitutional tyrants must be yanked from the bench.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If ever the tail undertook to wag the dog, this is it.

[tessalu]

Is God homophobic? God certainly is not afraid of anything, but God does hate sin.

[wolficatZ]

Honorable John W. Coughlin

Judge Coughlin was appointed to the Denver District Court bench in May 1985. He was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in 1980. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Coughlin served as a Deputy District Attorney, and then was in private practice in Denver, specializing in oil and gas law and in litigation. Judge Coughlin received his undergraduate degree from St. Mary's College in California and graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 1972. Judge Coughlin currently hears civil cases. During the last eight years, he has also heard criminal and domestic relations cases, and he served in the Denver District Drug Court for a year. Judge Coughlin enjoys doing rotations in all of the Denver District Court divisions.

Judge Coughlin speaks at Bar Associations, and particularly enjoys talking with school-age children. He often takes case transfers from other judges when his docket clears. Judge Coughlin works to simplify discovery on the cases he handles, in order to improve the litigation system. Judge Coughlin's judicial philosophy is to respect everyone who comes into his court, including lawyers, parties, jurors and witnesses. For recreation, Judge Coughlin enjoys reading, walking, skiing and watching Rockies games.

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

Another troubling aspect of this case, he said, is the award of visitation and joint parenting responsibilities to a third-party who has no legal relationship to the daughter or the mother.

Juxtapose this case, and see if you can decern the Judges decision. Say the adoptive mother was gay, and the "roommate" (i.e. parent with no "legal relationship" to the child) was the new Christian. Say, perhaps, the child was very close to the Christian woman, regarded her as a second mother, attended church with her, and even stretch the case to the point where the Lesbian adoptive mother was leading a wanton, and even “proselytizing” the young daughter by taking her to “coming out” parties, plying her with lesbian literature, and so forth.

Would the Judge rule consistently? Would the Judge grant the Christian former lesbian “roommate” with no legal standing parental visitation rights. Would this child be allowed to attend church against the objections of the Lesbian mother?

Would this Judge give the Christian woman more than 15 minutes to pack her bags, leave the house, and would he/she not invoke a court order against here to stay at least 500 yards away from the lesbian mother’s daughter?!

Well, of course he/she would. It would make perfect, if perverted sense to this Judge. I guess the only question is, is this Judge also gay? Is that Judge bi-sexual? Is that Judge a member of a pro-atheist organization which is openly hostile to Christians (e.g. ACLU)? Is anyone in that Judge’s immediate family gay? That conflict of interest would turn the argument full circle.

Expect many more such “difficult decisions” by the newly evolved, “blended family”, as Child Welfare agencies give first priority for adoptions and foster care to “minority couples” (especially Gays), while almost entirely shutting out anyone who admits to having a Bible in their house, or attending church on Sunday. It’s more than just an outrage, it’s purely sad.

Here's some personal experience (once removed) with the adoption industry, for those who care to read further:

My Christian sister adopted one child, and attempted the adoption of a second. The first was the child of an alcoholic mother, with all the attendant problems, and the second, of a drug abusing mother. She paid something like $20K to $25K in “fees” in both cases. The second mother had “second thoughts” after returning from partying for two weeks after the delivery. I guess she was off the drug high. She invoked her “parental rights”, and got the baby back. My sister was, of course, out every nickel she spent, while this young lady got a free load, plus a post-partum sucker-funded vacation! It was a great deal for all, except, of course, for my sister and her husband, who watched, waited, and cared for the woman for the full nine months of the term, and bonded with the baby for two weeks afterwards. They never heard what happened to the baby after the druggie mom got him back.

My cousin, who’s husband is a Christian Pastor, went a far simpler route. Even though they already had a boy and girl of their own, after several years in the Mission fields, they felt a burden to help the poor girls of China, who are either murdered, or tossed away like flotsam to state orphanages. The only chance these girls have of a normal, healthy life. The adoption rate for girls in China is zero, however, they make a great cash-and-carry industry. My cousin used her inheritance to travel to China and adopt a beautiful little girl. She’s as precious as the come. Again, they paid a fortune for the opportunity of giving a little girl a hope and a dream.

The adoption business in the USA, and it is a business, is an obscene, pork laden, political hack-piece of garbage. The only one’s who lose are the kids, and truly, since they cannot vote or “pay to play” (re: California’s Gov. Gray Davis), who cares about them anyway. The rest of the world takes its cue from nations like the USA. We murder children via abortion. Why shouldn’t they? We warehouse and sell kids to the highest bidder, or most “politically correct” minority, irregardless of the welfare of the kids, so why should they use their own rejects as a renewable “cash crop”.

I love this country, but so much we allow is absolutely immoral.

SFS

[Guillermo]

If the shoe fits...

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

Judge Coughlin was appointed to the Denver District Court bench in May 1985.

That would make him a Reagan judge. T-H-A-N-K-Y-O-U, our dear friends, the RINO's. I'm trying to recall who it was, maybe Ed Meese, but I can't recall, who was making the recommendations. Reagan couldn't dare put anyone who was too conservative before the Senate, or the RINO Senator's wouldn't "risk" the political heat.

In my whole life, I've seen the tail wagging the dog, as the miniority RINO's call the shots in Republican Senates. Hey.. why be a Democrat, when being a Republican deflects the political right in a left-wing state, while being a Jeffords type RINO gives you 10x the influence in a Republican Senate?

< upchuck >

SFS

[joesnuffy]

But Ahnold and the other RINOS believe Sodomites and Lebians should be able to adopt children..
And these kinds of decisons will continue to be the result of such un-holy unions...
The futher undermining of American culture...and freedom.....

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Hey, she's the one who set up her deal - I can't say as I feel a great deal of pity. Some things can't be undone once started, and to say otherwise just to get back at former lover is cruel to a child who may have formed a bond.

[raybbr]

Homo means 'man' and phobic means 'fear'. Therefor, homophobic means 'fear of man'. It should be pretty easy to not teach 'fear of man'. Disgust of homosexuality should come naturally to the girl unless the "mommy" forces her to believe as she does.

[xp38]

Nazis? No soup for you leftists!!

[JesseHousman]

Denver County Circuit Judge John W. Coughlin

This idiot has to be a member of the Homosexual Agenda For America. Either that or he's a sleepwalker.

Like to have his hard drive examined.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

That would make him a Reagan judge. T-H-A-N-K-Y-O-U, our dear friends, the RINO's. I'm trying to recall who it was, maybe Ed Meese, but I can't recall, who was making the recommendations. Reagan couldn't dare put anyone who was too conservative before the Senate, or the RINO Senator's wouldn't "risk" the political heat.

In my whole life, I've seen the tail wagging the dog, as the miniority RINO's call the shots in Republican Senates. Hey.. why be a Democrat, when being a Republican deflects the political right in a left-wing state, while being a Jeffords type RINO gives you 10x the influence in a Republican Senate?

Crack kills, fella. Pull up your pants, because your a$$ is showing. This was a state court judge, selected by state processes. The President and Senate had no hand in his selection.

Of course, considering your whole "Reagan and Meese were RINOs" opinion, there isn't much about you that has anything worth saying. My suggestion is that you try shutting the hell up before going into stupid rants in the future.

[xzins]

Liberty Counsel should slam dunk this one.

Every mother with a child who decides to hang out with a man other than the father now cedes parental rights to that man????

Ridiculous.

Where in this story is the biological father of the child?