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In a stunning media blitz, reporters from television, radio, and
print were quick to cover yesterday's "Pastors' Summit" and the
resulting community protest. News sources from Minnesota Public Radio to
WCCO to the Associated Press ran articles, follow-up articles,
interviews, and debates. The following are media highlights:
View From The Inside
In a bizarre claim that offers a glimpse into a chillingly broad
agenda, media reported that "David Barton of the Texas-based group
Wallbuilders said the Bible condemns not only homosexuality but also
capital-gains taxes, progressive income taxes, estate taxes and
minimum-wage laws." Star Tribune, November 10, 2005 Even
unable to agree with herself, counter-quotes from Senator Michele
Bachman, who is seeking GOP endorsement for Congress next year, include:
- "The marriage initiative is 'not a Republican-Democrat issue'."
Senator Michele Bachman, Star Tribune, November 10, 2005
- "Democrats need to fear losing their seat." Senator
Michele Bachman, Pioneer Press, November 11, 2005
Before an audience of 300 religious leaders, an organizer of the
Thursday's "Pastors' Summit" announced, "We are in the lair of
the enemy." (Star Tribune, November 10, 2005.) Adding to
the rhetoric of fear and intimidation, Reverend Terry Fox of
Wichita, a lobbyist towards passage of the Kansas amendment, said, "We
came to the realization that our culture was going to hell." (Pioneer
Press, November 11, 2005.) "Asked whether bringing politics into
the sanctuary might alienate church goers, Pastor Brushaber [of
Christ Community Church in Rochester] said a majority of Minnesotans
want church leaders to speak out. And those who don't want to
listen, can leave his church." (Minnesota Public Radio,
November 10, 2005) View From The Outside
"Just after sunrise about 100 people who support gay rights
stood behind lines drawn in police tape to protest what was
going on inside the church." KARE 11 News, November 10, 2005
"About 130 protestors, including Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist,
Congregational and Unitarian clergy, rallied on a windy street
corner outside the church for what retired Lutheran Bishop Lowell
Edrahl called 'full civil rights for gay and lesbian people.'"
Star Tribune, November 10, 2005
 We will not be silenced while
a group of conservative pastors with a "narrow and mean reading
of Scripture" (Senior Minister, James Gertmenian of Plymouth
Congregational Church, Star Tribune, November 10, 2005)
co-opt what they call "God's plan for marriage" (Star
Tribune, November 10, 2005). Get out, speak with your
clergy and faith community, let others hear more than this "narrow
and mean" voice. "There are a lot of people out there from various
faith communities who are very upset at how right-wing,
ultraconservative Christians are framing Christianity." Ann DeGroot,
Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota
Pioneer Press, November 10, 2005
 Take
Action!
OutFront Minnesota named the key opponent to the anti-marriage
amendment (Pioneer Press, November 11, 2005). For more
information on faith issues
join
our People of Faith Roundtable. Unsure of how to get active? Join
the TogetherMinnesota! It's About More Than Marriage
campaign. Attend the community meeting on December 8th (information
TBA) for more information on our Community Action Trainings,
marriage equality resolutions, and other vital roles in the
campaign.
For more information about the summit,
view yesterday's News Brief.
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