tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94733122011-12-12T18:53:00.673-07:00Shamelessly stealing from my friend Bad Catholic, I'm a United Methodist with a somewhat liberal theology. Specifically, I want my church to be more inclusive of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. Generally, I just want to help get God out of that Little Box some Christians want to shove him into.Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.comBlogger1831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-18333426206162158492009-02-03T08:26:00.002-07:002009-02-03T08:36:12.662-07:00

When Bad Catholics leave the Catholic Church, they become Episcopalians. When Bad Methodists leave the Methodist Church... they join the United Church of Christ. Or, at least, this Bad Methodist did.It isn't even because of the UM policies on same-sex relationships. I would have stayed with the denomination and fought for change from within for as long as my beloved local church was there to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-83334697745047977572007-10-10T09:26:00.001-07:002007-10-10T09:44:58.055-07:00

I've sort of put this blog on hiatus, mostly because I was really burnt out after last year's election and lost a lot of energy for talking about political issues. But sometimes, something just makes me so mad, I have to post.Case in point:The Mexican flag flies no more over the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum — and the U.S. flag is gone, too.The museum's board of trustees voted to remove the flags

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-48927305806234687332007-04-20T12:16:00.000-07:002007-04-21T20:13:22.742-07:00

I have a friend who teaches at Virginia Tech, so naturally the news of Monday morning's shootings came as quite a shock. This being the information age, we knew fairly early into the morning that she was fine because she posted on her Live Journal from her office and then again when she was home. By the time my three 9-year-olds got home from school, I had turned off CNN and we were on to the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1172523421200680372007-02-26T13:56:00.000-07:002007-02-26T18:22:58.567-07:00

I got a comment to this post that I found curious. Someone else wrote an excellent, succinct response to it, but since I'm never one to let a brief word suffice when I can turn it into a tome, I wanted to write my own thoughts. They're lengthy enough that I'm going to make it a separate post instead of a comment.Dr. Don wrote re: the Washington state initiative to make marriage only valid between

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1172164365455181782007-02-22T10:07:00.000-07:002007-02-22T10:13:22.323-07:00

Would that I could put it this well. There's not even any quotes I can pull because the whole thing resonates so exactly with how I read scripture and experience the world. What do you do when the map and what you see in the real world with your own eyes conflicts? Personally, I can't choose the map just because it's The Map.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1171271212090513462007-02-12T01:55:00.000-07:002007-02-12T02:06:52.113-07:00

Here's an interesting take on marriage law in Washington State: legally limit marriage to one man and one woman who are able to have children. Couples would be required to prove they can have children to get a marriage license. If they did not have children within three years, their marriages would be subject to annulment.All other marriages would be defined as "unrecognized" and people in

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1166834874044048762006-12-22T17:21:00.000-07:002006-12-22T17:49:15.436-07:00

I often hear from those arguing against same-sex marriage statements like "countless studies show that children do better when raised by a married mother and father." Usually these statements are made without citing even one of the "countless" studies, but in a December 12 Time magazine Column, James Dobson of Focus on the Family actually did quote two studies, one by Dr. Kyle Pruett, and the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1165888043840670762006-12-11T18:40:00.000-07:002006-12-11T18:48:17.463-07:00

I posted about the whole holiday greeting thing last year, but it seems to come up again every year, this time in the form of a point/counter-point set of editorials.Is this really an issue? Really? Are there really people out there who get offended by one holiday greeting or another? Is "Merry Christmas" really forcing religion down someone's throat? Is "Happy Holidays" really anti-Christian

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1165608876495950572006-12-08T13:08:00.000-07:002006-12-08T13:14:36.530-07:00

Mary Cheney, the Vice President's lesbian daughter, is having a baby. So naturally, both sides have to make it a big political statement.It's not a political statement. It's someone who is having a baby and planning to raise it with the person she loves. Yes, it raises political issues, but it still is a private matter for their family. Can we get politics out of it, please, and leave Mary

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1164667143433936592006-11-27T15:02:00.000-07:002006-11-28T05:27:46.776-07:00

I found this this editorial via The Center for Arizona Policy, a group I've agreed with approximately never. So it's notable that in this case, I agree with them. (Write this down in your calendars! It might be another sign of the apocalypse...)The Arizona Republic editorial, which CAP and I agree is ridiculous, espouses the view that faith rammed down others' throats is not a good thing. Yet

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1164599223537373012006-11-26T20:15:00.000-07:002006-11-26T20:58:41.716-07:00

I've been feeling sick, so I spent the evening lying in bed watching TV and saw a really interesting Law & Order episode. (Spoilers for the episode below, including how it ends.) In L&O's usual twisted style, the crime the officers start out investigating (a fireman's death in an arson fire) is not the one that ends up in court. Through the course of the investigation, the detectives find a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1164382689499664622006-11-24T07:17:00.000-07:002006-11-24T08:38:14.540-07:00

I’ve not really had any interest so far weighing in on Ted Haggard, but I’ve been reading and hearing some interesting viewpoints on the issue, and it got me thinking. Ellen Goodman’s recent column in particular focused on how Haggard’s story and the repulsion he has expressed with himself has really highlighted the fundamental differences between how the two sides in the debate on same-sex

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1163101930379103032006-11-09T11:58:00.000-07:002006-11-09T19:32:02.016-07:00

It just occurred to me that I might a "bad Methodist" for something other than gay issues: my views on baptism. In the United Methodist church, we practice infant baptism. I can't say I'm exactly against it; it doesn't particularly bother me that we baptize babies. But for me, baptism is a symbol of a commitment an individual makes to God, not a symbol of a commitment an individual's parent

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1162995351146894512006-11-08T07:11:00.000-07:002006-11-08T07:31:37.983-07:00

Last night, Arizona made history. We became the first state where voters defeated an amendment to the state constitution that would ban same-sex marriage and all forms of domestic partnerships. HISTORY, baby. And I got to be a part of it.The Arizona Daily Star just called Prop 107 defeated. Like an hour ago. That's how close it is. (The print version still had it a toss-up.) CNN still has

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1162649338440946942006-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:002006-11-04T07:10:08.133-07:00

We all know why I'm voting against 107, but I've argued from the beginning that believing homosexuality is a sin and marriage should only be for one man and one woman is not mutually exclusive from voting NO on this badly-worded amendment. Here is an excellent post from a conservative pastor (my brother's pastor, actually) who has not yet decided how to vote, but is wary of Prop 107. The

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1161987101259874142006-10-27T13:38:00.000-07:002006-10-27T15:11:41.413-07:00

I went to a debate on Prop 107 (the proposed marriage amendment to the Arizona state constitution) last night (Thursday Oct. 26) at the University of Arizona College of Law. I didn't take notes or anything, so this is just from memory. Forgive me for not crediting the five student organizations that hosted as well.The format was two speakers from each side. Each speaker was given nine and a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1161796129152963242006-10-25T10:05:00.000-07:002006-10-25T10:08:49.183-07:00

I've decided I really like voting by mail. It's much easier to do research with the ballot sitting right in front of me, and this year I already had a pretty strong opinion on the majority of the issues/races, so it wasn't like I needed to wait until the last minute. Sadly, most of propositions I felt strongly about I felt strongly NEGATIVE about. A lot of really mean propositions on the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1160833857566949702006-10-14T06:48:00.000-07:002006-10-14T06:50:57.600-07:00

I posted this back in July, but with the election so close and because it so beautifully sums up many of the reasons I oppose Prop 107, I'm reposting the Desert Southwest Annual Conference's resolution opposing Prop 107.Resolution 21.30PROTECTION OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS(Submitted by Church and Society)Whereas Christians have always been people of the covenant,Whereas nowhere in Scripture are

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1160070336751715132006-10-05T09:44:00.000-07:002006-10-05T10:45:36.846-07:00

I've blogged this before, but I recently looked up The Federalist #10, written by James Madison in 1787 for a speech I was giving and it struck me once more how strongly it argues against initiatives like Prop 107 and similar marriage amendments in other states. For me, it all boils down to what Madison wrote 219 years ago (emphasis mine):Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1159824880883783862006-10-02T14:20:00.000-07:002006-10-02T14:34:40.926-07:00

My church is doing a sermon series on human sexuality for three or four weeks in October. The first sermon, on how ideas about marriage and sexuality have evolved (yes, EVOLVED) throughout church history, is absolutely excellent. Most people presume that our understanding of sexuality and marriage has pretty much been the way sexuality and marriage have been understood, that we are the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1158178529144433352006-09-13T13:09:00.000-07:002006-11-24T21:58:51.936-07:00

I don't normally like to debate Scripture. There are so many different interpretations of any given passage, so many ways to take stuff out of context and use it to suit our own purposes. Even Satan quoted Scripture when trying to tempt Christ. I also am not a Bible scholar (though I am a Bible student... I've read it cover-to-cover many times over, still read it daily, and have done many

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1158154014046842332006-09-13T06:17:00.000-07:002006-09-13T06:26:54.070-07:00

The Arizona Primary Election is over. I could tell because last night was the first time in WEEKS I didn't get a phone call every five minutes from a recording. Seriously, do those things actually work? Does anyone listen to them? I'd say I refuse to vote for anyone who uses them, but everybody uses them, so that's not really an option, but man is it annoying.Anyway, it seems that the one

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1157983466263163872006-09-11T06:52:00.000-07:002006-09-11T07:04:33.043-07:00

This is an example of why No Child Left Behind is horrible legislation and a comlete misnomer... it not only leaves children behind, it runs them over first.My son is in special education, so I've seen firsthand how his accommodations adversely affect his school's or classroom's "grade" and it infuriates me. He's been fortunate enough to have fabulous teachers all his life, teachers who have

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1157035966532952202006-08-31T07:29:00.000-07:002006-08-31T07:53:42.586-07:00

There are two big races in the primaries in the part of Arizona where I live. One is the governor's race. There are several Republican candidates vying to face Democrat incumbent Janet Napolitano in the Nov. 7 general election. Frankly, I don't like any of them. I haven't decided which one to vote for in the primary, but I'm almost certain to vote for Napolitano in the general election.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1154661727218888942006-08-03T20:16:00.000-07:002006-08-03T20:22:15.053-07:00

This video is fantastic! Warning for some bad language. Also, I'd qualify what he says about Christian marriage with "in SOME Christian churches" and I'd point out that in most places gay marriage is already illegal, so what he's really talking about is constitutionalizing the ban against gay marriage, but otherwise I couldn't agree with him more. If you can create a law that enforces your

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1154387771396799792006-07-31T16:03:00.000-07:002006-07-31T16:16:11.420-07:00

I know, I've been very neglectful in posting. Call it the summer blahs. But this article jarred me right out of them.Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1151685886548167012006-06-30T09:30:00.000-07:002006-06-30T09:46:08.016-07:00

This news nearly had me dancing around my living room this morning.The Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo puts the brakes on what has been a sharp expansion of executive powers and raises fresh questions about other aspects of President Bush's war-on-terror policy.If there's one thing post-9/11 expansion of executive powers needs, it's brakes. Though not an alarmist nor conspiracy theorist by a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1151250216203570792006-06-25T08:21:00.000-07:002006-06-25T08:45:34.790-07:00

Wingspan, the Southern Arizona gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community center, is launching an absolutely wonderful image campaign called "Neighbors You Know." (You can also read about it in the Arizona Daily Star here.)The basic idea is eight community members featured in eight different spots. (Nine, actually, since one of them does a separate Spanish spot.) They basically talk about

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1150469057383085222006-06-16T07:38:00.000-07:002006-06-16T07:52:01.696-07:00

A press release from the Desert Southwest Annual Conference last week.For Immediate ReleaseUpdate June 15, 2006United Methodists Oppose Arizona Marriage AmendmentChurches in the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church , which encompasses the entire state of Arizona , took a strong stand in opposition to a constitutional initiative commonly called the "Protect Marriage Amendment

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1150318497920867162006-06-14T13:20:00.000-07:002006-06-14T13:54:58.043-07:00

Despite my frustration with the United Methodist Church on the national level (hence the title of this blog), I am quite pleased with our local conference, the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, which covers Arizona and a small part of Nevada. I didn't attend our Annual Conference this year (June 7-11), but I heard reports that a lot of really good resolutions were passed.1. A resolution to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1147286724510045262006-05-10T10:48:00.000-07:002006-05-10T11:45:30.683-07:00

I've been interested in gay rights issues for about eight years now and in those eight years I've read a lot of stuff from both sides of the issue, but this article by Maggie Gallagher is the very first thing I've read that actually makes an intelligent, well-thought out, concrete case for how legalizing same-sex marriage might affect straight people. The argument, basically, is that as same-sex

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1146926048181624472006-05-06T07:16:00.000-07:002006-05-06T07:41:17.180-07:00

Last night we watched the movie West Side Story. My daughters are really into musicals and dancing and even though it can be intense at times, I thought the message would be a good one for the kids to see.While watching it, I was really struck by how timely it is. The song America in particular could've been written yesterday. I think that song, especially the movie version, captures this

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1146589014896594032006-05-02T09:32:00.000-07:002006-05-02T09:58:21.183-07:00

Ever since Mary Kay Letourneau gained infamy by sleeping with a 13-year-old student (and then having a baby with him and later marrying him), it seems that stories about older women in positions of authority abusing teenage boys are becoming more and more frequent. I'm assuming this is because our society is beginning to recognize this as the statutory rape it is instead of the "

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1146110021159524032006-04-26T20:33:00.000-07:002006-04-26T20:55:26.290-07:00

Okay, not really. Or at least that isn't their intent. But in arguing for adoption preference for married couples, The Center for Arizona Policy makes some pretty compelling arguments why it is so wrong to deny same-sex couples the same rights, responsibilities, and benefits straight couples enjoy.Children living with both parents are more likely to test higher in every measure of health,

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1143577568789830822006-03-28T12:37:00.000-07:002006-03-28T13:27:47.176-07:00

As if Tennessee isn't coping with enough being in the limelight because of the tragic case of the pastor's wife who shot and killed her husband, they also apparently have to deal with what may well be the most ignorant state legislator ever. And that's if I'm being kind and assuming she's merely ignorant and not a mean-spirited vicious liar.Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville, said she still

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1143501951995471972006-03-27T16:07:00.000-07:002006-03-27T16:27:39.140-07:00

Unintentional Blogger pointed me in the direction of this. I think UB's reaction of being stunned nearly speechless is probably response enough, but since I'm wordy and like to rant about things that make me go WT*?????, I had to post it here.Yes indeedy, folks, you too can blow away non-believers for Christ! You know, virtually speaking.Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition: Christians are

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1143484897112401852006-03-27T11:34:00.000-07:002006-03-27T11:43:40.253-07:00

This one is more specific to pending legislation in Arizona: the Arizona Daily Star editorialized against prioritizing adoptions.The bill "doesn't say homosexuals can't adopt. It doesn't say singles can't adopt. It's just a matter of policy that to the extent there are choices, we're going to opt for a married situation," [the bill's sponsor, Majority Leader Steve] Tully said in Thursday's

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1143243206257154602006-03-24T15:57:00.000-07:002006-03-24T16:33:26.360-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of Ellen Goodman, but I liked her editorial today on gay adoption. It comes at a good time, not only because of national headlines like the Vatican calling gay adoptions "gravely immoral" or the Catholic Bishops in Massachusetts ending the Catholic Church's role in adoptions in that state. Here in Arizona, the state legislature is working on a bill that would give priority to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1141403842134078182006-03-03T09:30:00.000-07:002006-03-03T09:37:22.196-07:00

The Arizona Daily Star just editorialized against the marriage amendment. This is from their own editorial board, not a guest opinion.While it only hits a few of the problems with the amendment, what it did hit it hit well. Namely that the amendment is redundant and divisive and that the real reasons behind the amendment push don't hold any water.Because existing law is so clear, and the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1141387984553358022006-03-03T05:04:00.000-07:002006-03-03T05:13:04.600-07:00

I'm reading The Message by Eugene H. Peterson for my Bible reading. It's a really great and theologically sound (so says my pastor anyway) paraphrase that really distills the complex language down to something very understandable.Today I started Luke, which is by far my favorite book in the Bible. And Peterson pretty much nailed why in his intro to the book:[R]eligion has a long history...of

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1141233037449791492006-03-01T09:34:00.000-07:002006-03-01T17:31:37.530-07:00

Today's big headline in the Arizona Daily Star was "GAY UNION BAN GAINS CATHOLIC BACKING." Not surprisingly, I have a lot to say about this.First of all, the headline is misleading. This amendment is much broader than merely a "gay union ban." We already have a Defense of Marriage Act on the books banning gay marriage. What this amendment does is so much more, taking protections and rights

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1140845551154507882006-02-24T22:21:00.000-07:002006-02-24T22:32:31.226-07:00

I think I just hurt my chin when it hit my keyboard after I read this . So James Dobson--THE James Dobson--FOCUS ON THE FAMILY James Dobson--supports domestic partnership benefits?Some fellow conservatives are criticizing Focus on the Family founder James Dobson for supporting proposed Colorado legislation to give same-sex couples limited legal protections.The proposal would smooth the way for

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1140798516917246192006-02-24T09:14:00.000-07:002006-02-24T09:28:43.226-07:00

There were two stories in the paper this morning that disturbed me. The first was another scary report from Gitmo. Military interrogators posing as FBI agents at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, wrapped terrorism suspects in an Israeli flag and forced them to watch homosexual pornography under strobe lights during interrogation sessions that lasted as long as 18 hours,

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1140464318809901172006-02-20T11:11:00.000-07:002006-02-20T12:39:53.493-07:00

When Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith came out last May, I used a quote from the movie as my e-mail sig line for several months afterwards. People who know me weren't surprised; I'm an unabashed Star Wars fangirl. But I didn't identify with this particular quote because it was Star Wars so much as because it very aptly described the sinking feeling I get about the direction our country is headed

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1140134853801458312006-02-16T17:03:00.000-07:002006-02-16T17:07:33.840-07:00

An excellent guest editorial by Vicki Gaubeca in today's Arizona Daily Star that asks, "when is it enough?"For me, there is one question that keeps coming up. When is it enough?The question is not when is the love between two people enough so that they are finally recognized, but when is it enough for people to take a stand for what is right?Is it when, after a decade of working on politically

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1139851019782121112006-02-13T09:59:00.000-07:002006-02-13T10:19:17.153-07:00

Here's a roundup of local print press about the rally yesterday.The Arizona Daily Star quoted one of my favorite people, Jack Kressley, a PFLAG dad and all around great guy."I hate injustice. I just hate it," the 67-year-old retired submariner said Sunday at a pre-Valentine's Day "Rally for Love and Justice" at Downtown's El Presidio Park."We're better off — we're all better off — when we don't

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1139809070981517952006-02-12T22:32:00.000-07:002006-02-12T22:38:42.346-07:00

My eight-year-old daughter had her fifteen minutes of fame today. She got to give her very own speech at the Rally for Love and Justice in Tucson. I've been speaking there for three years now and she begged me to get a chance to speak, too, so I asked the organizers and they gave her a slot. So here's the text of her speech. She wrote it herself. I helped her edit/polish it a little bit, but

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1139425029468736972006-02-08T11:34:00.000-07:002006-02-08T12:00:23.796-07:00

I've been trying to think of what to say about the whole furor over the anti-Muslim cartoon going on in Europe. I thought that my paper's local cartoonist, David Fitzsimmons, wrote a good editorial about it. I like how he drew the line:I censor myself. All cartoonists do from time to time. Would I have drawn Muhammad? No. To draw a likeness of Muhammad is to ridicule a core, heartfelt belief of

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1139145724378262082006-02-05T06:13:00.000-07:002006-02-05T21:19:13.866-07:00

This is an e-mail I sent to my friends and family about the Arizona "Marriage Protection" amendment and a rally we're holding against it.Most but not all of my friends and loved ones are familiar to varying degrees with my involvement in equal rights for gay and lesbian people and same-sex couples. With some of you, it is a frequent topic of discussion. With others, I rarely mention it.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1138639893502822972006-01-30T09:30:00.000-07:002006-01-30T09:58:31.610-07:00

In reply to this post about the gay man who lost the ranch he shared with his partner for twenty-two years after his partner died, Unintentional Blogger (who just happens to be my brother) replied that the fact that the will was not done legally has some bearing on the issue. Okay, this is true, but is it what really matters?This got me to thinking, so I hope you'll forgive me, bro, but I'm

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1138585022766946442006-01-29T18:29:00.000-07:002006-01-29T18:43:33.213-07:00

Saw this from the Center for Arizona Policy on the benefits of marriage.An Ohio State University researcher has shown that individuals who remain married accumulate almost double the amount of wealth in their lives as single or divorced people. Divorce comes at a huge cost – instead of cutting wealth in half, divorced individuals on average end up losing about three-quarters of their assets. The

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1138456848379784222006-01-28T06:56:00.000-07:002006-01-28T07:00:48.410-07:00

The obligatory Brokeback Mountain review. Well, not really a review, more an impression.It wasn't exactly what I expected. Much more... raw. And painful to watch in more places than the end, where I was expecting it to be painful.Mostly it makes me think, no one should have to live like this. No one should have to live a lie because everyone else says "that's the way it is." No one should

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1137791038579236192006-01-20T13:49:00.000-07:002006-01-20T14:03:59.913-07:00

This is another one of those stories that makes my blood boil. A couple in Oklahoma fell in love. They lived together for twenty-two years, sharing a ranch. One of them had children from a previous marriage and the other became the kids' step-parent. When one of them died, the other lost everything because a court decided someone else was the legal next-of-kin because the couple happened to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1137711964250920922006-01-19T15:40:00.000-07:002006-01-19T16:06:43.990-07:00

My son has epilepsy. Because of this, he sees a pediatric neurologist every few months and has to get the occasional EEG at the hospital.Contrary to the typical stereotype, Daddy is the worrier in our family, not Mommy. While part of my job as "stay-home mom" is to take the kids to their various doctor's appointments, my husband likes to take our son to the neurologist so that he's very clear on

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1137691168160879642006-01-19T10:10:00.000-07:002006-01-19T10:19:28.216-07:00

...or is this a little bit on the squicky side?Christopher Knight and Barry Williams, who played clean-cut brothers Peter and Greg Brady, respectively, on "The Brady Bunch," will portray gay lovers on "That '70s Show."Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to see Brokeback Mountain. I think we need to see gay love stories; I'm all for it. But Greg and Peter Brady? With each other? Ewwwwwww! I

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1135873782872427212005-12-29T09:21:00.000-07:002005-12-29T09:29:42.896-07:00

A big thanks to a friend of mine in Wisconsin for pointing me toward this editorial by conservative Christian Dean Mundy. It says exactly what I've been saying all along: you can believe same-sex relationships are sinful and still be against amending the constitution against them.I admit that the Bible, for me, clearly teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman only. You don't have to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1135697623534697042005-12-27T08:06:00.000-07:002005-12-27T08:33:43.623-07:00

I tend to rant a lot about Christian fundamentalism because as a Christian I feel doubly attacked by it. First by its insistence that it and only it is perfectly right. Second, by its claim to be from my faith, my God. When Pat Robertson makes yet another idiotic statement in the name of Christianity, it makes us all look bad.This guest editorial in my local paper, however, makes a more

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1135572411895404562005-12-25T21:35:00.000-07:002005-12-25T21:46:51.923-07:00

Okay, I admit it. I'm an unabashed Slacktivist fangirl. Too many of my blog posts are basically "Go read Slacktivist! He makes X point brilliantly!"This is gonna be another one of those times. Go read this Slacktivist post. What point does he make brilliantly? Exactly why the "get saved" theology so prevalent with today's evangelical/fundamentalist Christians is so disturbing. Because "How

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1135271460018810622005-12-22T09:53:00.000-07:002005-12-22T10:11:00.073-07:00

After reading this article about a local lesbian couple that is moving to California where they can both legally adopt their daughter, I am feeling very frustrated. I mean, it should be a no-brainer. Kids are better off with two parents if at all possible. In cases where there are two people who both want to be parents to a given child, why would we put legal barriers here?So I'm asking. If

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1135084634204834642005-12-20T06:07:00.000-07:002005-12-20T06:17:16.890-07:00

An historic moment as the first civil union is performed in the U.K."It was really lovely. It was very joyful," reported Rita Wild, one of the guests. "There was lots of cheering, lots of clapping, lots of singing." The couple recited vows to each other and exchanged rings made locally in Belfast. Ms Wild had enjoyed every moment: "It's momentous and we'll be remembering this day. It

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1133878637497425362005-12-06T07:13:00.000-07:002005-12-06T07:17:17.500-07:00

Why can't we just do what Great Britain is doing about same-sex marriage.Gay couples began registering for civil partnerships at town halls across Britain on Monday as a law took effect giving them many of the same legal rights as married heterosexuals. Although the law stops short of allowing same-sex couples to marry, many said they were still eager to claim the benefits and official

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1133878295207207432005-12-06T07:05:00.000-07:002005-12-06T07:12:08.506-07:00

Loved this editorial about the quandary we get into around this time of year. How do we greet people without offending them? If you say "Merry Christmas" to a non-Christian, are they going to think you're proselytizing? If you say "Season's Greetings" to a Christian, are they going to think you're trying to strip the Reason from the Season? Or maybe, just maybe we should all stop being so

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1132692742475836592005-11-22T13:30:00.000-07:002005-11-22T13:53:53.800-07:00

Actually, any voters with a "marriage plus" amendment coming up should take a close look at what's happening in my former home state of Michigan, which passed a marriage amendment to its constitution a year ago. Similar to the initiative wording currently circulating on petitions in Arizona, Michigan's amendment goes beyond merely defining marriage as between one man and one woman:To secure and

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1132063844269672912005-11-15T06:55:00.000-07:002005-11-15T07:10:47.160-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love Leonard Pitts, Jr.? He's one of the best columnists out there. Today's column addresses the same subject as my last blog entry: Pat Robertson's latest idiotic statement about God possibly smiting Dover, PA for voting out the pro-Intelligent Design school board members. As Pitts explains it:So this latest nonsense is right in line with what we've come to expect

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1131769188640796222005-11-11T21:17:00.000-07:002005-11-11T21:19:48.663-07:00

Trying to wrap my mind around this. Not succeeding."I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover, if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected him from your city," [Pat] Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club." "And don't wonder why he hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1131460141289881282005-11-08T07:13:00.000-07:002005-11-08T07:29:01.326-07:00

I remember hearing a sermon a long time ago that included a story about Jesus's idea of "revenge." The story was about a soldier who had been mercilessly belittled and mistreated by a superior until he vowed under his breath, "One day you'll be sorry for how you treated me." When they went into battle, the soldier saved his superior's life, telling him, "See, I told you you'd be sorry." It's a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1131142547231987172005-11-04T15:01:00.000-07:002005-11-04T15:15:47.486-07:00

Apparently I'm not the only Bad Methodist who thinks the church should not be excluding people from membership due to their sexual orientation. The United Methodist Council of Bishops seem to agree. The judicial ruling supporting a pastor's right to deny a gay man church membership came down while the Bishops were having their weeklong fall meeting in Lake Junaluska, NC and they spent four

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1130957749904032842005-11-02T11:24:00.000-07:002005-11-02T11:59:22.106-07:00

Ever since the Center for Arizona Policy unveiled its "Protect Marriage" amendment initiative, president Len Munsil has been very busy assuring everyone that the amendment just "protects marriage" by keeping it between one man and one woman. It will not, he insists, go further and affect benefits for domestic partnerships. Just two weeks ago, Munsil touted a poll that showed people supported a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1130955730263066872005-11-02T10:54:00.000-07:002005-11-02T11:22:51.350-07:00

Because I don't think pastors who are called by God to ministry and who serve their churches well should be defrocked while pastors who deny membership to people because of their sexual orientation should be retained.I have to say I'm not surprised by the decision on Rev. Stroud. Given the stranglehold the Southeast Jurisdiction has on the denomination, the rules in the Book of Discpline about "

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1130542510952685162005-10-28T16:13:00.000-07:002005-10-28T16:39:08.643-07:00

I read this article from the Center for Arizona Policy's legal counsel on the subject of Judicial Review. It's striking not for what it includes, which is actually pretty interesting, but for what it omits. In the famous case of Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall declared that constitutional review is the exclusive role of the judiciary. Whether or not Marshall was right to assume

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1129757727207703752005-10-19T14:15:00.000-07:002005-10-19T14:35:27.223-07:00

After a week vacation away from my computer, I returned home to find an interesting article in my inbox. According to Ellen C. Perrin, MD, professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston: The vast consensus of all the studies shows that children of same-sex parents do as well as children whose parents are heterosexual in every way.Interesting. Of course, the American

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1128690315541767702005-10-07T05:12:00.000-07:002005-10-07T06:05:15.713-07:00

Kudos to the Bishop of the United Methodist Desert Southwest Conference, Minerva Carcaño, for hosting a "Christian Confererencing" discussion in Tucson last night to talk about two tough issues, migration and GLBT issues. It was a roundtable discussion, very respectful, and people from all sides of both issues got to speak without interruption. A big thanks to the Bishop for getting dialogue

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1128603517591132512005-10-06T05:47:00.000-07:002005-10-06T05:58:37.616-07:00

Torture is bad, right? It's a no-brainer. Our country should not be in the torture business. Full stop.That's why I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around this. The Senate delivered a stern rebuke to the Bush administration Wednesday night, adding language banning U.S. torture of military prisoners to a $440 billion military spending bill in defiance of a White House threat to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1127998842250769392005-09-29T05:39:00.000-07:002005-09-29T06:03:05.463-07:00

KAET-TV in Phoenix released a new poll that reinforces what I've believed since I first heard about the drive to put a marriage amendment on the ballot: Arizonans do not support discrimination. "Red" state or not, we believe in individual freedom.A new statewide telephone poll of 390 registered voters conducted by KAET-TV/Channel 8 and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1127755520463298902005-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:002005-09-26T10:25:20.553-07:00

I have huge issues with Intelligent Design, mostly because it seeks to take a concept that cannot be proven or disproven by scientific method--the existence of God--and try to force it into science. However, at least its proponents aren't out to try and make a word-for-word reading of Genesis the basis of scientific theory about our origins.Unlike those behind the Creation Museum."We're placing

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1126630143890508502005-09-13T09:14:00.000-07:002005-09-13T09:49:04.030-07:00

One of the things I don't understand about marriage amendment initiatives and "defense of marriage acts" (DOMAs) in various states and in our federal government is the idea that my idea of who you should or shouldn't love should somehow be encoded into law. I can have my opinion about whether someone should love another person. I can even believe that my opinion comes straight from God. But I

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1126308728249598652005-09-09T16:30:00.000-07:002005-09-09T16:32:08.256-07:00

I read with great interest the latest missive from Len Munsil of the Center for Arizona Policy.Christianity … teaches respect for all people who are created in the image of God, so violence or ridicule directed at those who struggle with same-sex attraction or behavior is never acceptable. Most importantly, Christianity recognizes that all of us have fallen short of perfection, and that only

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1126133256993502442005-09-07T15:39:00.000-07:002005-09-07T15:47:37.000-07:00

Today California became the first state to pass a bill--in legislature, without a court order--legalizing gay marriage. Tuesday's vote came after 23 lawmakers addressed the chamber, many of them focusing on the historic element of their action, others relating intensely personal stories. In a moment of high drama, with dozens of gay rights supporters watching from the gallery, Simon Salinas (

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1125617797690226172005-09-01T16:21:00.000-07:002005-09-01T16:37:11.660-07:00

Got another jaw-dropper in my e-mail from Len Munsil of the Center on Arizona Policy. (Evenutally they'll archive it here, but as of posting this, it isn't up yet.)HURRICANE KATRINA. A natural disaster like we are seeing unfold in the southeast has a way of reminding us of the things that matter most. In times of trial, our priorities change and our true character is revealed. For some, who have

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1125514045586812902005-08-31T11:37:00.000-07:002005-08-31T11:52:19.793-07:00

I'm a little confused by this news from the Vatican.The new Pope faces his first controversy over the direction of the Catholic church after it was revealed that the Vatican has drawn up a religious instruction preventing gay men from being priests. The controversial document, produced by the Congregation for Catholic Education and Seminaries, the body overseeing the church's training of the

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1125411840429725912005-08-30T07:12:00.000-07:002005-08-30T07:25:40.676-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of Steve Chapman, but this column really hits the nail on the head.Critics of gay rights insist that in opposing same-sex marriage, they are trying to protect children. But when the California Supreme Court said last week that lesbian partners have the same responsibilities to their children as other parents, conservatives took a different line: If what's good for the kids is

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1124814292086561512005-08-23T09:17:00.000-07:002005-08-23T09:24:52.086-07:00

The fight for equal marriage rights is also one for equal marriage responsibilities. They're two sides of the same coin; you can't have one without the other. That's why I was pleased to see this news brief from California (scroll down to the third article.)The justices ruled for the first time that custody and child support laws that hold absent fathers accountable also apply to estranged gay

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1124223274905292212005-08-16T13:05:00.000-07:002005-08-16T13:14:34.910-07:00

This editorial about what could happen if the so-called "Protect Marriage" ballot initiative passes is really chilling. It was written by someone in California, but the initiative here in Arizona would have the same effect: no domestic partnership rights. Period. Nothing that "approximates marriage" will be recognized by the state or local governments, and that means hospitals cannot grant

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1123601031127371562005-08-09T08:05:00.000-07:002005-08-09T08:23:51.133-07:00

I don't often agree with local political cartoonist David "Fitz" Fitzsimmons, but I thought today's comic makes a really good point. Teach science in school. Teach theology in Sunday School. What could be simpler than that?The line between theology and science should be crystal clear. Science looks at "how." Theology looks at "Who." Creationism and its step-brother "Intelligent Design"

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1122997983089492232005-08-02T08:03:00.000-07:002005-08-02T08:56:12.063-07:00

There's an interesting editorial in today's Arizona Daily Star about bigotry against GLBT people. The writer made some interesting points about her own (straight) orientation not having been a choice but something she's always known. She also made a point about defining marriage as between one man and one woman that I haven't seen discussed in a lot of places: the difficulties of defining

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1122648412755706462005-07-29T07:14:00.000-07:002005-07-29T08:10:04.466-07:00

On Wednesday the Phoenix-based Arizona Republic ran this article that shows that over 400 families will lose benefits they currently have if the "Protect Marriage" amendment passes in 2006.An Arizona Republic analysis shows that 439, or less than 1 percent, of the roughly 142,273 state and local government employees have unmarried partners who receive health insurance or other benefits in Arizona

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1122392084424798062005-07-26T08:18:00.000-07:002005-07-26T08:34:44.430-07:00

I'm an unabashed U of A Wildcats fan, but today I'm even prouder of my Alma Mater: they just extended tuition breaks to same-sex domestic partners of university employees. Children of the employee's domestic partner will also get the tuition break. This is the same benefit spouses, children, and stepchildren of university employees already receive and is a huge step towards fair treatment for

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1121959648530930662005-07-21T07:58:00.000-07:002005-07-21T08:30:21.186-07:00

Another fabulous editorial in the Arizona Daily Star today, in response to a recent study done in Pima County that found a rise in HIV infection rates and, a researcher claims, a correlating rise in risky behavior among gay men.Without getting into the veracity of the study, I think we can all agree that risky behavior is a bad thing. Promiscuous behavior, especially without protection, is

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1121456936570302242005-07-15T11:53:00.000-07:002005-07-16T02:25:22.076-07:00

An interesting bit from Len Munsil, the president of CAP, about how those of us opposed to the "Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment" are using "false arguments" against the amendment. I couldn't disagree more. Every single one of these arguments he addresses is not only true, but likely to happen.Looking at them one by one:Remember first that the amendment simply reserves the special status of

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1121174532631798892005-07-12T06:08:00.000-07:002005-07-12T06:22:12.636-07:00

Can anyone explain to me why Karl Rove still has a job? Oh yeah, he's bestest buddies with the president and politicians like to circle the wagons instead of dealing with bad behavior--or, you know, criminal behavior--in their ranks.The White House refused on Monday to repeat earlier assertions that any administration official who leaked classified information would be fired, days after Karl

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1121104293582988812005-07-11T10:47:00.000-07:002005-07-11T10:51:33.586-07:00

There's really almost no point in blogging when I can just quote Leonard Pitts, Jr. O'Connor was named to the court by conservative icon Ronald Reagan. She herself is usually described as a moderate conservative, a term that has grown oxymoronic over the years. But even putting that aside, I question the word "moderate," implying as it does a lack of passion or conviction. I prefer to regard

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120836694058525412005-07-08T08:29:00.000-07:002005-07-08T08:31:34.063-07:00

I just don't know what to say about the horrible terrorist attacks in London, so I'll just point you to my friend Sarah Garrecht Gassen's excellent editorial in the Arizona Daily Star.My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and survivors in London.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120687865356750642005-07-06T14:48:00.000-07:002005-07-06T15:11:22.580-07:00

My favorite Arizona lobbying group, the Center for Arizona Policy is at it again. I am constantly amazed at the new ways they come up with to twist the truth. To be fair, with this story, they're merely repeating someone else's sweeping generalizations, but still.If courts and policymakers are truly interested in learning what is in the best interests of children when it comes to issues like

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120577749188674782005-07-05T08:24:00.000-07:002005-07-05T08:35:49.193-07:00

In their General Synod meeting in Atlanta, the United Church of Christ just passed a resolution endorsing "equal marriage rights for all." This makes them the first mainline Christian denomination to allow same-sex marriage at the denomination level. The vote affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and says that the government should not interfere with same-sex couples who

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120498389138108102005-07-04T09:50:00.000-07:002005-07-04T10:33:09.953-07:00

I've always liked the book of Romans. Paul can be extreme sometimes, but he can be very moderate and even inclusive, too. He was the chief opponent, after all, of requiring Gentile converts to Christianity to be held to the Old Covenant, particularly the Jewish rite of circumcision. Romans, along with Galatians and 1st Corinthians, are good examples of this. In 1st Corinthians, he writes

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120233526450109582005-07-01T08:53:00.000-07:002005-07-01T08:58:46.456-07:00

As Niobium pointed out in a comment to my last post, Spain has also just legalized same-sex marriage. This makes it one of four nations (counting Canada, assuming it passes the Senate) who will have equal rights for same-sex couples. The U.S. is fifth on the list as gay marriage is legal in one part of this country: Massachusetts.Baby steps. We'll get there eventually.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1120185020252533062005-06-30T19:27:00.000-07:002005-06-30T19:31:34.613-07:00

This is being discussed in other venues, so I don't have much to add except to say good for Canada! I continue to be disappointed that we in the U.S. are followers instead of leaders on this, however. I think in time we'll look back on this in embarrassment that while Canada was making great civil rights strides, we were busy trying to take away people's rights.

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1119885474058757912005-06-27T07:26:00.000-07:002005-06-27T10:23:37.860-07:00

The Arizona Republic printed two op-ed pieces about the Arizona marriage initiative in yesterday's paper, one for the amendment initiative and one opposed to it. I want to address the one in favor of the amendment here because, to put it bluntly, the cartoons my kids watch have fewer plot holes than the holes in the arguments presented by writer Lynn Stanley.The opposition claims this is a

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1119627065279860692005-06-24T08:08:00.000-07:002005-06-24T08:32:06.346-07:00

There is a fascinating dialogue about faith, politics, and same-sex marriage in the comments of this entry in Bad Catholic's blog. Since the entry is not the most current and the comments are numerous, I wanted to point it out for people to check out.I also want to reiterate here some points I made there (comment #21) because they are at the crux of why I believe Christians should oppose laws

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9473312.post-1119453273461077152005-06-22T07:55:00.000-07:002005-06-22T08:14:54.536-07:00

Slacktivist's latest Left Behind entry is an excellent discussion of grace, works, and salvation and really nails some of the problems I have with how conservative theology often addresses these subjects. I've written on this topic myself, particularly in my Skittles Theology entry, but as usual, Slacktivist presents a better argument.Jesus makes it very clear that it is God's job, not ours, to

Bad Methodisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03585100827884952877noreply@blogger.com0