TN- "Big Box" Church bucks separation, backs homophobia

Here's some stunningly explicit electioneering, from a church on the north side of Nashville, Tennessee:

Some background:

Notwithstanding that Tennessee law already prohibits gay marriage, Amendment 1 is a constitutional definition of marriage as one man, one woman, to wit:

The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state.

and to add interstate insult to injury:

If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.

Jump the broom for more . . .

The purpose of this initiative, of course, is to boost right-wing turnout for the election, which now turns out to include the pivotal Senate matchup of Democrat Harold Ford, Jr. vs. GOP rich guy Bob Corker.

This church, by the way, used the very same marquee in the runup to the Iraq invasion to promote a three-part sermon series entitled, "Islam: An Evil Religion."

While you're mad, here's a map showing where the church is, and perhaps a link to their web site and phone number. Might want to call and ask WTF? they're thinking.

So, tell me, attorneys and Establishment Clause mavens, does this constitute a threat to the church's tax exemption?

•  Dems Don't Give A Shit

  Why should this matter to democrats and liberals for the most part? After all, aren't Gays constantly lectured about voting the party and not their convictions in regard to Gay marriage? Harold Ford supports this amendment. Let's face it, when it comes to Gay rights, the bottom line is we're disposable to our own party. Our concerns are no more credible to the party at large than they are to the GOP.

  Election after election we're told to wait, just wait some more, and eventually the democratic party will have the spine to do something about it if we give them power.  Well, the dems will likely win a sweeping mandate soon and nothing is going to happen for us.  

  by Steamboater on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 01:47:40 AM PDT

  •  Think Again.

    Let's face it, when it comes to Gay rights, the bottom line is we're disposable to our own party. Our concerns are no more credible to the party at large than they are to the GOP.

    Well, do you give credit where credit is due?

    In the last session of the Tennessee General Assembly, the Fundies brought up a piece of legislation that would have banned gays from adopting children.  That bill was killed - BY DEMOCRATS - in Committee and never got up for a vote.

    Does that count as being pro-gay to you?  Because it does to me.

    Of course the Democrats aren't as liberal in the South on social issues as we want them to be.  You're naive to think that Democrats running for office would be leading the charge against Amendment 1.  But they do occasionally fight the good fight.  Just because they're not out in front making a big show of it doesn't mean they're not doing anything.

    In any case, if you want to see any more victories like the one I just mentioned, you simply have to vote to keep Democrats in the majority in the state government because the Cons will put that bill forth again next year.  There is a difference between those who aren't trying to help you vs. those who are trying to kill you.  Sadly, that's often the choice in Dixie.

    by The Crusader on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:57:02 AM PDT

    •  The adoption bill...

      ... was killed not because our legislature is so darned progressive but because the Department of Children's Services quietly lobbied against it, fearing the loss of hundreds of gay households that would otherwise be allowed to adopt kids who are in state custody.  The key word is QUIETLY.  I don't think there was a great outpouring of support for gay adoption as much as there was an acknowledgement that the state couldn't afford to lose all those homes.

      It's kinda like how we're perfectly fine using gayfolk as cannon fodder in Iraq as long as they keep quiet about it.

      by bolgia7 on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:03:54 AM PDT

      •  My husband is running for State Rep. in 27

        that's Chris Clem's district.  Chris Clem is the fundie whose only legislation he ever introduced was to ban gays from adopting children.  That is it.  In  6 years of office, this is all the guy introduced.

        Meanwhile, Hamilton County Schools suffered from a lack of  funding.  We lost jobs galore.  We have an ecocide taking place on the Cumberland Plateau, and  thousands have no health care in our area.  

        Chris Clem wisely decided not to run again. Our poll showed an approval rating of 18% in this district; however, the Republicans found another guy, Richard Floyd, to follow in his footsteps.

        My husband is Bill Lusk at  http://www.luskfortennessee.com.  He has been endorsed by the Democracy for America and Democracy for Tennessee.  The Hamilton County Education Association and Setpac.  Setpac is a business group composed of mainly Republicans.  Yes, they too have had it with the family values rhetoric .  If we want change in our areas, we have to elect people who will stand up for us and take on these charlatans who are dividing our country.  

        by Sandy on Signal on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:15:52 AM PDT

•  asdf

  Sadly, your prediction could prove true in the south at least.

  It sucks. Your criticism echoes the complaint of African Americans just before the civil rights era commenced. I hope a more enlightened time is on the way for GLBT people.

  May I point out that not everyone here is a bigot. My little church across town from this one has decided explicitly called on its members to ignore sexual orientation (and therefore some of its denominational rules) in election of elders, for example.

  by OldYellerDog on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 02:32:36 AM PDT

•  Ah, yes. Cornerstone.

  The church that also brought us "Islam: An Evil Religion" right after 9/11.

  We used to cuss the sign every time we drove by.

  They've had some new construction back behind the church. We're pretty sure it's their new stoning pit.

  by fiddler crabby on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:42:35 AM PDT

  •  Oops. It's early.

    Didn't read the original post carefully.

    by fiddler crabby on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:43:26 AM PDT

•  Don't forget!

  The pastor at Cornerstone is a convicted murderer.

  by bolgia7 on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:05:42 AM PDT

•  Can You Report It To The IRS?

  This is so blatant, it is hard for me to believe the IRS can ignore it.

  by AlbiRes on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:12:35 AM PDT

  •  IIRC, Churches can Endorse or Oppose Bills,

    Just not candidates.

    by LunkHead on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:26:34 AM PDT

•  Paid lackies in the pulpits, as usual n/t

  by bwintx on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 05:19:46 AM PDT

•  I hope...

  that you have reported this to the IRS.  Better yet ask the pastor ro come and stand in front of the sign and tell him to explain why the church supports the bill...

  by Puskara on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 06:57:16 AM PDT