www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Lesbians target Catholic inkeeper

You know, people have a right to run their businesses the way they want. Governement may have to follow certain rules, being a retired Federal Employee I understand that. The other thing that strikes me odd about this is they point out he is Catholic. It is because he is Catholic or Christian that this is being done? I mean if he were Protestant would they go to court over it?
Pani Rose

Lesbians target innkeeper
over same-sex 'wedding'
File complaint against Catholic family for reluctance to host civil union service
Posted: June 30, 2005
5:00 p.m. Eastern


� 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

A lesbian couple filed a discrimination complaint against a family-run inn because the Roman Catholic owners said they would be reluctant to plan and host a civil union ceremony.

The inn owners, identified only as Jim and Mary, are charged with violating Vermont's Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act.

The complaint by Susan Parker, filed with Vermont's Human Rights Commission, is based on one phone call with Jim.

Jim said he did not refuse Parker's request but explained that because of his beliefs about marriage, he would have difficulty putting his heart behind the project.

The inn owners, who will host seven or eight wedding receptions this year, usually are involved in the entire process of planning the event, acting as a wedding coordinator.

They run the 24-unit facility with their eight children and have their family residence on the same property.

Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based public-interest law firm representing the family, says that for one recent wedding reception, Jim spent about 40 hours with the couple prior to the wedding day.

Liberty Counsel � which filed a response to the charge, asking that it be dismissed � pointed out Jim said that if Parker still desired to hold the reception, he would be willing to meet with her to discuss possible arrangements.

The law firm argues there must be an exemption to the discrimination charge based on the free exercise of religion, free association and the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

Commenting on the case, Mathew D. Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty Counsel, said it "seeks to authorize the government to become thought police."

"This case also illustrates the radical nature of the same-sex agenda � to target a family-owned inn based upon one telephone call wherein the operator clearly admits that he could not put his heart into a same-sex civil union ceremony," he said. "Forget tolerance � this case is about forcing others to endorse same-sex unions."

Vermont's Human Rights Commission only has legal authority to investigate complaints, negotiate settlements and bring action in court. If illegal discrimination is proven to a judge and jury, the court can impose fines or monetary damages.

In 1994, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that a Roman Catholic owner of a printing company could assert, as a defense to a claim of discrimination, that printing "pro-choice" flyers would cause the owner to violate his sincerely held religious beliefs.

Pani Rose,

Thank you for posting this. Alas, Satan is alive and kicking! Freedom is our promise as Americans, but at what price?

Discrimination. Hmmm.. Take Florida. We have the option to purchase a "Choose Life" license plate. They are yellow, and very vibrant. There was quite a discussion a few years ago when Tallahassee approved the plate, and there were concerns that the Pro-Choice groups would file complaints to the state requesting a Pro-Choice plate; and concerns that owners of the plates could be even shot by some of the more radical Pro-Choicers.

There needs to be a middle road, somehow, but I do not predict to see that in my lifetime. We risk either legalizing everything, to try to please everyone, to most everyone's dismay, or pull out the stops and say "This is it! It has gone too far!" The danger is this can lead into a Fascist or Totalitarian type of government, which would not be conducive to our lifestyles. I pray we never see "O Brave New World" in our lifetime in America.

My Mom told me about stories growing up as a young girl in WWII Germany. My grandfather spoke out to friends against Hitler one day. The knocking on the door that night with the SS coming for a "visit" for my Grandfather is one of the major events my mom will never forget.

This is a tough one to choose. I can only pray for salvation from Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Michael

Pani,

The virulant and very violent fanatical wing of Islam called Wahhabism centered in Saudi Arabia and is one of the principle backers of Al Quaida has as one of its principles "Ritual is more important than intent." In other words to the agendized homosexualist groups "We don't give a care about your beliefs but you'd better pretend that you support with all your heart all of our perversions or will drive you out of business."

What have we become?

Dan L

What can I say? Traditional values and Christian beliefs throughout the Christian world are losing ground and we are losing the culture wars. After the ruling in Spain, I am not feeling very optimistic about anything. We are living in neo-Pagan times. Will the persecution of Christians be far behind?

FYI

HR-2662 Federal hate crimes Legislation has been introduced.

Some are saying that this will make the US like Canada. I used to laugh at these things, but with the rash of anti bill of rights decisions coming out of the courts these days, I am now unsure.

Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2005," HR 2662.

Call your member of Congress toll free at 1-877-762-8762 or non-toll free at 202-224-3121

Hi

Last week, there was a "gay pride march" in Mexico City, I was there with a small group of about 50 Nationalist young people to protest against this shameful march.

We were never violent against anyone, we had flags, religious images and banners but we never displayed anything offensive (the hardes slogan was "Shame on you", "We want a clean country"), and the police disolved our protest to allow the homo-spectacle to take place.

I know I shouldn't say this but one of the girl who was protesting with us was hurt in her eye.. with a vibrator that these sick people threw; and what did the medias say? "Neonazi band attacked gay march".

Dear Bernardo,

Oh, how lovely. (said in all sarcasm)

Last night I was watching BBC news and I couldn't help but notice how delighted the newsreporter's voice on BBC suddenly became at reporting the 'celebration' for Spain's ruling on gay marriage.

During the 'delighted' and 'enlightened' footage, I couldn't help but notice how the cameras honed in on some half naked black leather clad men lewdly gyrating....

Sure, it is all about fairness and marriage, sure.

May God have mercy on His world, as we embark on these post-Christian, neo-Pagan times.

Alice

I think we are doomed as a country after hearing about what Spain did. It used to be such a Catholic country now this. There is little hope for America right now.

--Katie G

OOPS! Mexican, I am sorry. I called you Bernardo by mistake...my apologies also to Bernardo!

Alice

Hi Katie G,

'Catholic' Spain is a far cry from 'Christian' America. That The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada and, now, Spain have enacted legislation offering equal civils rights to LGB folk... has little impact on American policy in the same, or similar, areas.

For goodness' sake, Sandra Day O'Connor has resigned now. Bush will surely seek to appoint a conservative to replace her.

From your point of view, it seems, things are nowhere near going to hell in a handbasket!

Keep praying for sure, but there's no need to lose hope.... grace and peace, wg

Hi Pani Rose,

The writer(s) of the article have printed a fact. I don't think we should read too much into that, OK. Plenty of conservative Protestant Christians believe like this family does; they also hold to conservative 'traditional' views. If the inn had been one owned by a Protestant family the article would have noted this.

Nobody is picking on the Catholics, OK. grace and peace, wg

Hola Mexican,

"No se atraen moscas con vinagre, sino con miel." �Usted sabe esto?

Alabad al Senyor, wg

But then does one really want to attract flies?



Better to stay home and pray and fast.

I like the saying from St. Seraphim of Sarov that if one acquires the Holy Spirit, thousands around will be saved. It is by our Christian love that people will seek out our God and convert. This is happening in Egypt where muslims are converting to Christianity. Their conversions often earn them the death penalty.

I like the saying from St. Seraphim of Sarov that if one acquires the Holy Spirit, thousands around will be saved. It is by our Christian love that people will seek out our God and convert. This is happening in Egypt where muslims are converting to Christianity. Their conversions often earn them the death penalty.

Thanks Elizabet, that saying is wonderful.

One of our Godson's mother is Egyptan, she came to this country 18 years ago. She once told us, she would rather live in this country in poverty where she could raise he children their Christian faith, she is Coptic, the children are Melkite, than to stay in Egypt and have everything she wanted and hide her faith.

Her father was Coptic, her mother was Muslim. He taught her to pray secretly from her mother. Her mom never knew her dad was a Christian.

Pani Rose

!Hola Elizabeth Maria!

This is the of which I spoke. All analogies have a depth and a breadth. To take the 'flies' that literally is to lose sight of the analogy, mi hermana querida, wg


p.s. see this site for a book re Muslim conversion: look here [reformationbooks.spreadtheword.com]