Encoding Biblical Values in Law

[Jesdisciple]

Family-friendly shows are great, but censorship by law is generally wrong. Censorship by FUD is always wrong. I'm not even sure we should have laws against profanity... This kind of issue is tough for me. I want to go libertarian but realistically I think there are probably some things government needs to restrain. I just don't clearly see the reason in this case.

 

[Faith.Man]

Family-friendly shows are great, but censorship by law is generally wrong. Censorship by FUD is always wrong. I'm not even sure we should have laws against profanity... This kind of issue is tough for me. I want to go libertarian but realistically I think there are probably some things government needs to restrain. I just don't clearly see the reason in this case.

I am not in favor of censorship by any means. But our government is already doing that. Ever hear of the FCC? What about this administration trying to silence Fox News because their stories are unflattering? You can tell ABC and CBS are in the tank for the BHO administration because of the types of stories run in support of his policies. Now, this administration wants to control Talk Radio and the Internet.

I agree with you about Libertarianism.

 

[Jesdisciple]

Ah, I guess you were looking on the bright side for MM then...

I'm surprised no one except maybe Mikey has argued against me. Why has the GOP not suggested civil unions? Maybe the Christians who don't use forums are preventing that?

 

[Faith.Man]

Ah, I guess you were looking on the bright side for MM then...

You lost me here, can you explain your comment?

I'm surprised no one except maybe Mikey has argued against me. Why has the GOP not suggested civil unions?

I know from God's Word that He defines homosexual practices as sin. I also know that taking that pen from work is also sin and that all sin is offensive to God. As a Calvinist, I believe God is Sovereign so he already knows who will overcome temptation and who will succumb. What causes homosexuality? Is it environment or genetics? I do not know but I also do not believe there's anything we can't overcome with God's help. The human race in most if not all cultures has a long tradition of marriage between man and woman. Why do we need to change?

Maybe the Christians who don't use forums are preventing that?

God be with You

 

[Jesdisciple]

You emphasized MM's less aggressive action for family-friendly media. Convincing networks that it has high demand is not censorship, but anything beyond that such as a law or manipulation of public opinion (astroturf) I would call censorship.

Maintaining the "marriage" label and therefore keeping conservatives against the "gay rights" movement is unnecessary, especially from a libertarian perspective. If most folks are fine with "civil unions" that's the solution to this polarizing debate. Unless there's a sociological reason to prevent gay unions, it's not the government's job.

 

[Faith.Man]

You emphasized MM's less aggressive action for family-friendly media. Convincing networks that it has high demand is not censorship, but anything beyond that such as a law or manipulation of public opinion (astroturf) I would call censorship.

Maintaining the "marriage" label and therefore keeping conservatives against the "gay rights" movement is unnecessary, especially from a libertarian perspective. If most folks are fine with "civil unions" that's the solution to this polarizing debate. Unless there's a sociological reason to prevent gay unions, it's not the government's job.

I'm old enough to remember the Moral Majority but was never fond of Jerry Falwell. Neither was I fond of Jim and Tammy Baker of the PTL Club. Something about them didn't sit well with my spirit.

From what I heard, about 37 states who have put the question of gay marriage up for a vote by their electorate and it has failed 37 times. Where it has been enacted either as civil unions or marriage, it has been done by legislative fiat, not by the will of the people. Is that right?

As for using the term astroturf, I suppose you're saying the public outcry (grass roots) was being manipulated by special interest groups. Maybe so, but so is every other potential government policy decision. We the people are constantly being manipulated by the drive-by left-wing media. Astroturf used in the context you used it is right out of the left-wing play book.

 

[Jesdisciple]

The anti-democratic methods used for gay rights bring up a fundamental issue that I'm undecided on... Do we elect people into office who are supposed to follow their conscience as presented on the campaign trail, or should our opinion trump theirs? The first position is a defense against astroturfing. (And the activist judges who have ruled for gay rights should be fired.)

And I agree that the majority is against the marriage bills, although I didn't know any civil union ones had been proposed.

I'm sure liberals use astroturf as well, although I've not seen such obvious examples as for conservatives (David Koch). But regardless, I remain against the tactic; I don't want to see America herded every which way. This is probably impractical as an actual goal, but it's an ideal that I'll work toward.

 

[Faith.Man]

The anti-democratic methods used for gay rights bring up a fundamental issue that I'm undecided on... Do we elect people into office who are supposed to follow their conscience as presented on the campaign trail, or should our opinion trump theirs? The first position is a defense against astroturfing. (And the activist judges who have ruled for gay rights should be fired.)

This is something you'll have to decide for yourself. As for me, I look at a person's entire record both public and private. As an example, I would have a hard time voting for people like Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. Newt is smart, but I'm not sure I trust him not to sellout our longterm interests for a short-term fix. Mitt will say whatever he needs to say but who knows what he will truly do. Mike Huckabee seems like the Republican answer to Jimmy Carter. (I'm embarrassed to say that I voted for Jimmy Carter -- twice!)

And I agree that the majority is against the marriage bills, although I didn't know any civil union ones had been proposed.

I think there are about 13 states and the District of Colombia where same sex marriage/civil unions are recognized and performed. I believe all of these have been legislated by the states.

I'm sure liberals use astroturf as well, although I've not seen such obvious examples as for conservatives (David Koch). But regardless, I remain against the tactic; I don't want to see America herded every which way. This is probably impractical as an actual goal, but it's an ideal that I'll work toward.

Both sides seem bent on herding with respect to Health Care.

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