On Tuesday, North Carolina voters will be given a chance to rewrite the state constitution, adding to it a ban on same-sex marriage. The latest polls indicate the amendment to the constitution has a majority of support in the state.
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, the pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, spoke out against the amendment at a recent press conference. If voters in that state listen to him, the amendment doesn't have a chance.
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As a minister myself I must say that I was so moved by Pastor Barber’s message. I sat with my mouth open and water in my eyes as I listened to him so brilliantly frame this argument. I have always believed as he, and spoken in similar ways. Much to the chagrin of most, God is really Pro-Choice. For Bible students, remember, it was God who placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden, and then God gave a law. He could have left the tree out, indeed, many modern day religionists would grab a backhoe and have it removed...but God placed the tree there, and gave Adam and Eve a choice. Same with Joshua, you remember? Choose ye this day....? This is about being true to your own personal growth and personal convictions, and not forcing them on others. This country is not a church, this is a land of freedom for all, and consequently everyone in this country should have equal rights, and the freedom to choose how they live. The consequences will be meted out by the eternal and righteous judge, and that title does not belong to us.
My husband and I just voted NO on Amendment 1. The Reverend said it much better than I ever could!
Myron44, the "Good Reverend" as you call him, was not preaching politics! He was preaching against hatred.....and as a Christian Theologian, he was following in the footsteps of Jesus. I do believe that's what theology is all about! Thank you, Dr. Barber, for shining light into the darkened pit of haters.
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber's speech was inspiring, invigorating, intelligent and moving. He provides the linke between MLK and today. Perhaps the show will have interviews with him. Truly remarkable.
Absolutely amazing that in the wake of the news at the end of the week that confirmed our faltering economy, with pee poor jobs numbers for the second month in a row, the continued trand of US citizens just walkng away from the labor force in a stagnated growth environment with rising inflation, and the downturn in the manufacturing sector, MSNBC decides to spend so much air time and print on a single states doing what states do, regulate as is in their powers of purview the licensing laws regarding marriage.
This issue deals with the interests of only an extremely small percentage of the 3.5% of adult citizens in our country that self identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. As a group, they should be content with the fact that state's prosecutors are no longer enforcing the sodomy laws, and let it go at that, imo.
Awesome, awesome speech. Dr. William J. Barber is a force of nature. This speech is a blessing that washes all the dirt away from the lies and misrepresentations surrounding the hateful Amendment One in N. Carolina.
How many gay teenagers must die before we accept that we can not choose our sexuality? I have read so many stories from gay people who say that I always felt different from my friends. While all the other boys were talking about which girls they thought were hot, I was checking out my friends in the gym. I did not want to feel like this, I wanted to be like other boys. These young people do not want to be different. Gay teens are told to not act so girly and you would not be attacked. How does any person act other than they are? If I tried to date another man or to have sex with him I could not, because I am not gay. We all deserve to be loved and be happy.
How many gay teenagers must die before we accept that we can not choose our sexuality?
Whether sexual orientation is a choice or not is totally irrelevant. People deserve equal rights in any case.
No one was born with the desire to have a penis in their mouth or rectum, or to rouge their lips and cheeks, walk with a seductive swing of their hips, and flirt with members of their own sex in adolescence. Those are learned behaviors, David.
thanks Lawerence - good choice for clarifying the admendment. I am praying it does not pass. I only got to vote no once.
Well, that distraction is over, by a 58% to 42% margin he constitutional amendment banning gay marriage past in North Carolina, becoming the 33rd out of 34 states to pass laws agaist gay marriage.
Now can we please get back to the important issues around the faltering economy, the nation's mounting debt woes, a timid defense posture that will soon be weakened more by massive defense budget cuts, and the world's laughing stock of a non existing energy policy.
You think the rights of people in this country is a distraction.....without people there is no economy, first it was black folks, now it's Hispanics and gays who will they pick on next maybe you
It's a sad day in America! This is in the south where the KKK and all the other nutso's are still active today, these are the same folks who are touting family values while making laws to segregate and exclude
As far as reading the studies and data where issue is concerned, one need be an actual believer in science.