Mass. Court Will Hear Arguments on Its Homosexual Marriage Decision (Susan Jones CNS-News)
- Opponents of same-sex marriage call it an unexpected and remarkable move: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear oral arguments on a request to block the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the commonwealth. Same-sex couples have been permitted to legally marry in Massachusetts since May 17, 2004, as a result of the Supreme Judicial Court's Goodridge v. Department of Public Health decision. The Thomas More Center, one of the groups that is appealing that ruling, said it is "extremely pleased" that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in the case. The Law Center calls this the last legal action that would be capable of stopping same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

The Inclusive Hebrew Scriptures (three volumes subtitled The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings) and The Inclusive New Testament (all from Alta Mira). These "de-gendered" Scriptures were produced for the liberal Roman Catholic Priests for Equality. The revisers say that "most scriptures read in worship services are still grossly sexist," and "the continued self-destructiveness of an all-male clergy" only worsens matters. They don't appear to like the Bible all that much.

Love Won Out Conference Gaining Attention in Houston (Agape press) Homosexual activists are upset about the 16 billboards in Houston announcing the Love Won Out Conference (held yesterday) at Grace Community Church. The billboards feature pictures of former homosexuals who have found the courage and hope to flee the homosexual lifestyle. Spokespeople for Focus on the Family and Exodus International are taking the criticism as a sign that the Truth is getting out in Houston. The Love Won Out Conference is a dynamic one-day conference designed to address, understand and provide an escape from the homosexual lifestyle.

Episcopal Church Sees Less Giving (Steve Jordahl, Citizen Link) Many members of the Episcopal Church are withholding financial support in a show of disapproval over the ordination of homosexual bishop Gene Robinson. Some dioceses have reported that all members have withheld their giving.

Court Overturns Swedish Pastor's Conviction (Citizen-Link) Pro-family activists worldwide are cheering. A Swedish appeals court has reversed the conviction of Pastor Ake Green -- the first person ever to have been convicted under Sweden's tough hate-crimes law for preaching against homosexuality. The Associated Press reported that the Goeta Appeals Court ruled that while Pastor Green's viewpoint on homosexuality could be "strongly questioned," he nevertheless had the freedom to interpret the Bible and urge others to follow his interpretation.

QUOTEWORTHY: ---------------"Truth, honor and religion are the only foundation to build human happiness upon." -- Nathaniel Greene, 1776

U.S. House Passes "Real ID Act" (Free Market Foundation) Last week the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve H.R. 418 which regulates the issuing of drivers' licenses to foreign citizens. "The Real ID Act", introduced by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), would implement the key immigration safeguards that failed to make it onto the final 9-11 response bill. By setting federal standards for the issuance of drivers' licenses, the Real ID Act includes measures to require legal presence, expiration dates that match temporary visas, a new border fence in San Diego and tougher standards to prevent terrorists from obtaining asylum. This bill, which passed by almost 62 percent in the House, will now go to the Senate for approval.

Federal Communication Commission To Revise Complaint Process (Parents TV Council) The PTC has called upon the FCC to move quickly to respond to indecency complaints and accurately record the number of complaints they receive. We have learned that the FCC is taking steps to meet this demand. According to the Washington Post, the FCC has begun to "revise the process it uses to keep tabs on e-mailed, written and phoned-in complaints when they arrive, creating a new complaint in-box." This is in direct response to the PTC's charges that the FCC is miscounting and under representing the number of complaints they've received.

Once the complaints are filed, according to the Post, the FCC plans to "scan the filings promptly to determine whether they warrant action in hopes of clearing cases more quickly." This too is in response to the PTC's charges that the FCC takes too long to rule on indecency complaints. We owe these successes to your support and activism. We are making definite headway in our efforts to clean up TV and to hold the FCC accountable for enforcing the law... because our children are watching.

QUOTEWORTHY: ---------------------------- "Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind." -- Dr. Benjamin Rush, 1783

Focus Exposes USAID's Defiance of Bush Policy (Gary Schneeberger, editor-Focus On The Family) Agency refuses to release report that shows abstinence works in HIV prevention. Focus on the Family urged key members of Congress to look into why a government health agency charged with dispersing funds to HIV-prevention efforts in Africa is contradicting Bush administration policy by refusing to release a study that spotlights the effectiveness of abstinence education in reducing HIV infection rates. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shelved the report detailing the success of programs that encourage abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage. "What USAID has done is a slap in the face to the administration it is supposed to serve," said Peter Brandt, senior director of government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

"The stated policy of President Bush is to stress abstinence education first in the prevention of diseases, because it has been scientifically proven to save lives."

Court Rules Government Can't Seek $280B From Tobacco Cos. (Hilary Roxe Associate Press)

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the Justice Department cannot seek $280 billion it alleges the tobacco industry earned through fraud, an enormous victory for American cigarette maker.

TV's February Sweeps Go Gay (Steve Jordahl-Citizen Link)----Same-sex storylines are all the rage this month as networks try to lure viewers. It's ratings time in television, and as the networks pull out the stops trolling for bigger numbers, it appears this year they're hoping homosexual plotlines will attract the needed viewers.