Letter: Pastor comments on marriage amendment
To the editor:
We are frequently told by gay activists that marriage can be redefined and that there will be virtually no consequences for society. But this is just not true. The experience of Canada, our neighbor to the North, which has had same-sex marriage for years now, shows us this very clearly.
There have been hundreds of proceedings in courts, human rights commissions and employment boards against critics and opponents of same-sex marriage. Religious groups and leaders have been punished. For example the Catholic Archbishop of Calgary was forced to answer to the Alberta Human Rights Commission for preaching the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage. Prominent Canadian sportscaster, Damien Goddard, was fired for tweeting his support for traditional marriage. And a Canadian teacher was suspended for one month for his Christian views on homosexuality, which he expressed in a letter to the editor. There is now a government-funded “registry of homophobic acts” to keep track of complaints, even anonymous ones, by homosexuals, of alleged mistreatment.
But perhaps the most concerning consequences in Canada are those that impact children and school. For example, 4 year-olds are taught about “gay marriage” in school. Teachers instruct the children using the book, “Mom and Mom are Getting Married”, and parents have no right to opt their children out. There are mandatory gay-straight alliances in schools, including religious schools and home-schools. Home-schoolers are forced to use so-called diversity curricula and Catholic schools are no longer allowed to teach their catechism as part of their curriculum. Holding sincere faith-based views about marriage provides no alternative recourse for kids in the schools. Here is what the managing editor of a prominent gay magazine in Vancouver had to say: “The gay rights movement is shifting norms in Canada and with that comes a message to those who won’t evolve. Your outdated morals are no longer acceptable and we will teach your kids the new norm.”
The claim that same-sex marriage has no consequences has certainly been disproved in Canada. To avoid consequences like these, Minnesotans need to preserve traditional marriage by voting “Yes” on the Marriage Protection Amendment Nov. 6.
Father Tony VanderLoop
Monticello
Editor’s Note: VanderLoop is pastor of St Henry’s Catholic Church in Monticello.
Does anyone compares other laws to how Canadian laws are? No. Why not? Because the Canadian government operates entirely different than that of the United States and of Minnesota.
To make claims that Minnesota will not be able to express religious freedoms due to this amendment not passing is entirely irresponsible and delusional on the part of Father VanderLoop. Please read my letter in response to these misleading and irresponsible claims.
Same sex couples want to join marriage, not redefine it.
Same sex couples want to strengthen marriage, not weaken it. As it stands right now, marriage is failing due to divorce. Where’s the concern over that? Instead of taking practical steps to ensure the right people are getting married to one another, the Catholic Church has decided to take a stand against my freedom to marry the one I love.
Thank you and Vote No!
It sounds like this ‘man of god’ is more concerned with being able to willfully mistreat LGBT citizens without fear of repercussion than he is in ‘protecting’ marriage.
I would ask Father Tony VanderLoop why it is that when ‘the religious’ come out fighting, it is ALWAYS to fight for their right to treat others badly.
Shameful, Tony. You are shameful.
Father states, “For example the Catholic Archbishop of Calgary was forced to answer to the Alberta Human Rights Commission for preaching the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage.” The keys words here are “Human Rights”, how is discrimating against gays and lesbians any different than Africian Americans, Hispanics or any other race? Would the Catholic Church teach racism against people of color? Then why is it ok for them to teach intolerance and hatred of same sex marriage/couples?
Maybe some people need to be reported to the “registry of homophobic acts”, this country should not tolerate discrimation in any form. The freedom to marry whoever we choose is a basic human right. Have we not learned anything in the past two hundred years? Some day our children will look back at this and be ashamed just as we are ashamed of our ancestors for slavery and racism. America is not the land of the free until all of it’s citizens are free to pursue their happiness.
Why is it harmful for children to learn about same sex marriage/families?? These same children will grow up and work and live with a diverse population. Should they not learn tolerance and acceptance from an early age??
Well said!
The key phrase used here is the freedom to “pursue happiness.” This is in the letter of independence and is a staple Republicans, and those who believe in our constitution, as a defense for their rights. This notion has to be applied to ALL citizens despite race, gender, sexuality, etc. This is the fundamental problem with any argument Vote Yes people can come up with. As she said, this is a basic human right that people aren’t getting, which is discrimination. It wont’ redefine marriage, and all churches can privately do whatever they please.
I’m a recent college graduate, and diversity is a real thing, especially in Minnesota. Instead of indoctrinating our youth to not be taught the wide spectrum that is American society, which is what this country was founded on, we need to educate them about tolerance, race relations, and sexual identity. They will be exposed to it no matter what happens, and that is a good thing.
Not all Christians or Christian leaders believe as you do… Earlier this year, The ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod resolved in assembly to oppose the Minnesota state constitutional amendment on marriage proposed for the 2012 general ballot that would prevent one group of committed couples and their families from pursuing ordinary legislative or legal means to gain the support and protections afforded to all other(s).”
I would never tell a church that they had to legally “marry” a same sex couple/ or even a couple of different races or faiths. This is about separation of church and state and openly discriminating against a portion of our population, the LGBT community, in having the same LEGAL rights as I have as a heterosexual individual. Steve and Phil, together for 23 years should have the same legal “marital” rights as my husband and I have.
If your church or denomination in good faith and conscience can not support gay marriage, so be it. But in this country, there is not ONE state religion but rather freedom to follow your own religious traditions. Your “catholic” “definition of marriage doesn’t belong in our constitution. Isn’t it time to finally bring down this wall of discrimination!!!
Where to start with this?
The part that bothers me the most about this letter is the fact that tolerance, especially tolerance taught to children at an early age, is described as a negative thing. I’m sorry, but how is teaching children to accept everyone, despite their differences, a bad thing in any way? I simply do not understand. You are telling me that parents should teach their children that they are better than someone else and to treat them differently because of it? Ridiculous.
Second, please describe to me exactly how gay activists have told you that they are going to redefine marriage. Seriously. Also, please explain what the “consequences” to you will be if a same sex couple gets married. Same sex marriages do not affect straight marriages in any way.
Canadian religious leaders and other individuals have been punished because they are DISCRIMINATING against other people. It is NOT ok to treat people poorly or discriminate against them because you believe something different. It is no different than discriminating against other races, genders, or religions. What would happen if others wanted to pass a law that made it impossible for Christians to have the same rights as everyone else? Of course that wouldn’t be ok, so how is this ok? You are forcing your beliefs onto others. I am not a religious person, but I respect others’ religions and accept that others choose to believe something different than I do. I am not gay, but I see nothing wrong people who are. I am not African American, Hispanic, or Asian, but I appreciate other cultures and am happy to experience diversity in our country. I accept others for who they are, and respect their beliefs and decisions. Why is that so hard for you to do?
It basically all comes down to this: We live in a country that was built on the idea of freedom, and you, Tony, and others like you, are deliberately taking away the freedoms of others because you think that you and what you believe in are better than them. Well guess what, you aren’t better than them. They are people just like you, and they are your equals. The magazine editor was right: you are failing to evolve. You can believe whatever you like, but when you start treating others as sub-human because they are different than you, that is where you cross the line.
Step down off of your pedestal and open your mind and your heart.
Well said Melanie!
Maybe the good Father should spend some time considering Matthew 7:5. The abuses heaped upon society and its congregation by the Catholic church could keep him busy for a long time. The fact that two people who love each other wish to formalize that relationship in the same fashion that my own wife and I have chosen does nothing to threaten or diminish our marriage, our vows, or our commitment to each other. I know many gay and lesbian people. They work hard, are well educated, contribute much to our society, and are concientious, loving and supportive parents to their children. This so-called amendment is about hatred, bigotry, intolerance and fear, and all the “the sky is falling” arguments cannot make it any different. Maybe my wife said it best. “If Jesus were standing here today, what would he say to all these people?” I don’t think it would be “Hate these people in my Father’s name.”
Recently, in St. Michael, our neighboring community to the west, vandalism occurred with spray paint on an election sign that was in favor of preserving the freedom of marriage.
http://stmichael.patch.com/articles/marriage-equality-sign-vandalized-north-of-albertville#photo-11778795
It is interesting to think about the fact that if anyone were to participate in vandalism of a political sign such as this, driven by their religious beliefs, that they don’t stop to consider that “freedom of religion” should be respected just as much as “freedom of speech” (which is what the sign is emulating).
Disallowing the freedom of marriage only hurts families (especially those trying to raise children in our biased society). The freedom of marriage (when the vote finally passes) simply does not have any adverse effect on marriage between a man and a woman. Those marriages are in no way any more or any less because of any freedom of marriage.
I do not believe in the right to limit the freedom of marriage between people just because it isn’t the “same” s one’s own choice for marriage. I put this issue in the same category as freedom of religion. It is freedom of expression of one’s beliefs.
This upcoming vote for the amendment is not a moral question it is a civil rights issue in my mind – and I compare it to a time when this country use to limit who could vote.
Remember there was a time when black Americans and even women were not allowed to vote in this country. The voters eventually agreed voting for both blacks and women should be allowed. I have hope that Minnesotans will eventually do the same for the freedom of marriage. It may not be this election year, but someday this too shall pass!
Equality and Freedom for everyone. You do not get to tell me who I can like or dislike based on imaginary friends in the sky.We have enough of that with this world already!
In the beginning……what did God say marriage is??
In the beginning…were you there to know what happened? No, you weren’t So stop pretending to know everything. Not all of us believe in Christianity. Stop forcing your beliefs unto our Constitution.
You are a disgrace. what about all the homosexual priests out there???
Okay, but do not ask people who are Christians to stop being who they are, just like it is unfair to tell homosexuals to stop being who they are. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on what your beliefs are, religious freedom is in the constitution as well and those who hold that in high regard, well their voting and opinions are based on their faith. The vote No side seems to say their way has to be accepted and to stop pushing the other side’s beliefs on them. But are the vote No people just doing the same thing? I see people who only are interested in their own beliefs and do not care what others honestly think or their faith. I have seen people struggling with a decision and to be informed going to someone to get their opinion and been literally attacked with such venom. Do any of you think you can open a conversation with hate and have a respectful dialogue? I am not saying which way I am voting, but I am so tired of the hate being spewed on this. Everyone is so tolerant of their own opinion, but if anyone has an opinion different from yours, then take off the gloves and start with the hate talk on both sides. I am so disgusted of how both sides have handled it.
Tolerance has gone to the extreme and is causing social decay