Faith Playing Larger Role In 2008 Race!!!

The personal faith of candidates has become a very public part of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Seven years after George W. Bush won the presidency in part with a direct appeal to conservative religious voters - he cited Jesus Christ as his favorite philosopher during one debate - it seems all the leading presidential candidates are discussing their religious and moral beliefs, even when they'd rather not.

Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have hired strategists to focus on reaching religious voters. Obama's campaign holds a weekly conference call with key supporters in early primary and caucus states whose role is to spread the candidate's message to religious leaders and opinionmakers and report their concerns to the campaign.Democrats in general are targeting moderate Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and even evangelicals, hoping to enlist enough voters for whom religious and moral issues are a priority to put together a winning coalition.

Next week, Clinton, Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards are scheduled to address liberal evangelicals at a forum on "faith, values and poverty."
Also, it seems Republicans are having a hard time with conservative religious votes.
Lets start with Democratic hopeful's views on sharing faith in the 2008 elections:

First Dem: Sen John Edwards




In March, Edwards told the multi-faith Web site Beliefnet.com that Jesus would be appalled at how the nation has ignored the plight of the suffering."I think the majority of Americans, the people who largely decide elections, what they are looking for - particularly in these times - is a really good and decent human being to be president," "If you are a person, a man or woman, of faith, that has an impact on how they view you as a human being, whatever your faith is."

Justice MH: I like how the way Edwards had a sense of inclusion of every Americans' faith. He's probably in the front spot for my vote and support.

Next Dem: Sen. Chris Dodd



Sen Chris Dodd is a Catholic, told an April forum at Boston College that Democrats have made "a huge mistake over the years" by not talking more openly about how their personal faith informs their public policy positions.

Justice MH: I don't fully agree with Sen.Dodd. However, Bush had success by openly expressing himself about God, and that Jesus is his favorite philosopher. So i say go for it!

Next Dem: Sen. Barack Obama


Last year, Obama chastised fellow Democrats for failing to "acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people," and said the party must compete for the support of evangelicals and other churchgoers."Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation. Context matters," he said.

Justice MH: I agree with Obama that not every mention of God in public breaches separation of church and state. If you have to mention faith mainly bible-loving christians, then so be it. Obama hasn't proven to me that he will support my causes at a point i want him to be. He has strong leadership unlike Bush, but i'm still skeptic about him. Okay i took a look at some of Democratic field, i know this isn't everyone, but the rest of Dems haven't voice their faith yet. The GOP is ironically having a hard discussing faith in public.So lets take a look at the GOP:

First GOP: Mitt Romney



Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been questioned so much about his Mormon faith - 46 percent of those polled by Gallup in March had a negative opinion of the religion - that he has taken to emphasizing that he is running for a secular office.

Justice MH: Now you see, this is the problem i have with asking people about their faith and personal religious beliefs. In our U.S Constitution, it says NO religious tests or etc. If that not enough for Romney, he's also a flip-flipper, and a wannabe conservative. I'm far from being a Conservative. I don't support Romney's campaign, but he's going to have a struggle to get the GOP nomination.

Next GOP: Sen. Sam BrownBack


Sen. BrownBack is a former Methodist who converted to Catholicism in 2002, told a forum that faith "doesn't make all your decisions, but you can't segregate it out - it's part of the values basis you bring.

Justice MH: Now i have to say i agree with him, but Bush seems he doesn't get that.
Sen.Brownback has a struggle himself. He's behind in public poll by the likes of rudy, mccain, romney, and thompson. I don't have to think on this one, and that mean this GOP doesn't have my vote!

Next GOP: Rudy Giuliani



Rudy is a catholic, and supports abortion rights. He seems to not be comfortable in talking about his faith. Rudy's campaign spokesman said "The mayor's personal relationship with God is private and between him and God,"

Justice MH Final thoughts: I wonder what that means? It's like i said in beginning it shouldn't be anybody's business. Giuliani may be the only GOP who may get my vote, and that "may" is slim. One reason is because my family is Democratic, certainly NOT GOP. I may decide to be a independent voter. Who knows. The Democratic hopeful who looks pretty strong is John Edwards. On the GOP side to me is Rudy Giulani. But alot can happen between now and 2008. It seems that all these White house hopefuls are going through religious test, which why in the Constitution that is NOT suppose to happen. Our founding fathers didn't want someone's personal religious beliefs to win public offices. Now it seems this has led to alot religious a** kissing. Religion and Politics is a dangerous combination!

Ten Things You Won't Hear in Church!!!

Author: http://whosoever.org

1. Hey! It's MY turn to sit on the front pew!
   


2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes.
   


3. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
   


4. I've decided to give our church the $500.00 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
   
5. My pastor is so gay!
   
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary: let's pay our pastor so s/he can live like we do.


7. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
   


8. Since we're all here, let's start the worship service early, and can we try to end worship service on time!
   


9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar to sharpen up your bible scholarship, because you're lacking it!
   


10. Are you one of my gay church members?

LGBT Affirming Church in Jamaica faces Violence!

I agree with fellow blender Pam on this:" the hate takes your breath away.

"The Rev. Grant Lynn Ford appeared on a recent Caribbean radio program hoping to improve relations between Jamaicans in South Florida and the gay and lesbian community. Instead, the pastor from Sunshine Cathedral, which recently started a gay and lesbian congregation in Jamaica, endured a hostile radio audience.
Jamaican callers chastised him for promoting homosexuality in their country. One caller said Ford would get a bullet through his head if he set foot on the island.

"What surprised me was the violence of it, and saying it on public radio," Ford said. "I probably wouldn't invite any of them to my next family picnic. I might be the roasted pig."

Sunshine Cathedral, which is affiliated with Metropolitan Community Churches, faces a government that has little interest in addressing homophobia, and the hate it tolerates.

"Jamaican Consul General Ricardo Allicock, of Miami, said he was unaware of rampant abuse of gays and lesbians on the island. Jamaican media attributed some of the recent killings to crimes of passion between lovers, he said.
...But ministers at Sunshine Cathedral disagree. They have traveled to the country in recent months to challenge homophobic attitudes among government and religious officials, they said. Ford said he travels with bodyguards for his protection.

Church leaders said the choir director for their Jamaican church recently was beaten to death because of his sexual orientation. Church members held his funeral April 8 at a church unaffiliated with the denomination. A crowd from a nearby community surrounded the building armed with machetes and knives. They threw objects through the church windows while the funeral was in process, according to the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals & Gays".

Justice MH's Final Thoughts: Jamaica is a island that's on my do not visit list. If i ever visit there, i would have to be arm, and with some bodyguards. I agree with my fellow blogger Darian that Jamaica needs a culutral change. As Oprah would say:" where is that Christian love?

Seven Things I Wish Anti-Gay people would admit!!!

Author: Candace Chellew

1. I wish they would admit that many people are very happy with their homosexuality or lesbianism, and that there is no internal conflict. Based on intelligent religious and moral convictions, homosexuals are assured they are in the place God has for them, and there is nothing wrong with their sexual orientation. They do not feel the need to "come out" of their homosexuality simply because of the guilt anti-gay forces try to impose upon them.
Stop throwing around the cheap, inaccurate labels like "immoral lifestyle" to explain our lives.


2. I wish they would acknowledge that homosexuals and lesbians can experience significant joy and fulfillment through their sexual feelings and desires.
Be honest enough to admit that fulfilling relationships are possible within a homosexual context

3. I wish they would acknowledge that present homosexuals and lesbians find a greater measure of peace and satisfaction after leaving a heterosexual lifestyle than they ever experienced while embracing heterosexuality.
Those "ex-gays" who aren't miserable, and can honestly say they have no more feelings of homosexual attraction, were probably never gay to begin with, and they have "come out" as heterosexuals, much like a homosexual "coming out" of heterosexuality. These people most likely won't even refer to themselves as "ex-gays" ... they have moved on with their lives.

4. I wish they would acknowledge that many homosexuals and lesbians have genuine joy in their marriages (or holy unions)!
Most gays and lesbians seek that solid relationship on which to build their future. They marry, or have holy unions, as a natural consequence of realizing their homosexuality is proper and natural.

5. I wish they would acknowledge that all people have as much right to pursue a homosexual relationship as they do to pursue heterosexuality.
Gays and lesbians should not be harassed and castigated by the "ex-gay" community. I have never heard any "ex-gay" leaders speak out against the violence (such as the bombing at an Atlanta gay nightclub) perpetrated against the gay community.

6. I wish they would stop equating our decisions to remain homosexual with being "misguided" or "sick" or in need of "healing" or "saving."
We don't hate "ex-gays;" we simply desire to live free of their efforts to "recruit" us to their side. Don't put nasty labels on our motives. That's being judgmental and unfair.

7. I wish anti-gay religious leaders would stop teaching that all homosexuals care about is sex. Many live in monogomous, happy relationships.
Many -- probably most -- men and women involved in state-sanctioned marriages are not sexually monogomous, but mainstream churches don't discipline members for committing adultery outside their marriages. Some churches even allow admitted adulterers and divorced people to remain in the pulpit or serve as deacons. Also, there is no discipline for those heterosexual couples who have sex before their marriages.

AAPA Votes to Oppose Attempts to ‘Cure’ Homosexuality!

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) issued a press release today announcing the results of Monday’s vote on a variety of issues. Among these is the matter of conversion therapies, where they voted the following:

"The American Academy of Physician Assistants opposes any psychiatric treatment directed specifically at changing sexual orientation, such as “conversion” or “reparative” therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that the patient should change his/her sexual orientation."

With this decision, the AAPA joins a large number of prestigious professional organizations in the view that homosexuality is not a disorder to be cured, and therapy claiming to do so not something to be endorsed.

Justice MH's Final Thoughts: Another great decision by another medical organization that knows without a doubt that homosexuality is NOT a disorder to be cured, and there is NO need for therapy. There are group out there that do so-called exocrisms to rid so-called homosexual demons. It's like i said here, there is NO such thing as a homosexual demon or spirit. Demons and evil spirits also! People will come u with crazy ideas when they can't explain something. It's a shame to fall back on ancient superstitions, and fear. AAPA made the right decision, and it's something that is a logical decision. AAPA good job! The fact remains, sexual orientation can NOT be change!

Bush's Judge nominee proud racist and homophobe!

President Bush is determine to appoint this nominee who has poor record on civil rights for minorities such as women, african american, LGBT people, and hispanics.Bush has gotten some of the worst judges ever nominated for anything confimed and we'll be suffering the consequences for years to come, not just on the Supreme Court but throughout the judicial system. Bush's previous picks like Charles Pickering and when the Bush Regime moved to replace that dismal nomination with the even more bigoted Michael Wallace it didn't fly to well.The latest nightmare that Bush is trying to force on us is former Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Leslie Southwick, a racist amd bigoted a**hole every bit as unacceptable.


Southwick's homophobia and racism are becoming known by the public and the fact that he seems proud of both traits. If Bush's nominee doesn't get confirmed fast then Bush will send this controversial nomination on to the full Senate, where he will be able to count on a handful of reactionary Democrats (and a reactionary ex-Democrat) to support Bush's goal of stuffing the courts full of pro-corporate, anti-civil rights judicial activists. The new Democratic Congress can NOT cave on this, especially since now they control both chambers. They cave when in the minority when Bush apointed Alito, and Roberts. As Ralph Neas of People For the American Way said today "regrettably, Southwick also has a troubling record and appears to be cut from the same cloth as [Pickering and Wallace]... Just like Pickering and Wallace before him, Southwick appears ready and willing to turn back the clock on fifty years of social justice progress in our nation. Southwick had an opportunity at his recent hearing to demonstrate a commitment to Americans’ individual rights and freedoms, but he proved that he still doesn’t get it. The Senate Judiciary Committee must reject Southwick’s confirmation.”

Here are Two of the cases that show the danger of confirming a character like Southwick are these examples from the Mississippi Court of Appeals:

• In 1998, while on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Southwick joined a ruling in an employment case that upheld the reinstatement, without any punishment whatsoever, of a white state employee who was fired for calling an African American co-worker a "good ole nigger." The court's decision effectively ratified a hearing officer's opinion that the slur was only "somewhat derogatory" and "was in effect calling the individual a 'teacher's pet.'" The Mississippi Supreme Court unanimously reversed the decision.

• In 2001, Southwick joined a ruling that upheld a chancellor's decision to take an eight-year-old girl away from her mother and award custody to the father, who had never married the mother, largely because the mother was living with another woman in a "lesbian home." Southwick went even further by joining a gratuitously anti-gay concurrence which extolled Mississippi's right under "the principles of Federalism" to treat "homosexual persons" as second-class citizens. The concurrence suggested that sexual orientation is a choice and stated that an adult is not "relieved of the consequences of his or her choice" -- e.g., losing custody of one's child.

Civil rights and gay activists are concerned by the record of the Bush Administration's nominee to the Fifth Circuit are lobbying Democratic senators. Southwick formerly sat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals from 1995 to 2006. The Fifth Circuit covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and only boasts one black jurist.

Justice MH's final thoughts: What i want to know is why is bush appointing judges who have poor civil rights records? It seems our much hated President is hell-bent on rolling back the clocks on justice and civil rights in our great country. Bush and the GOP seems to want to make it hard for minorities, and that is unacceptable. I'm hoping the Democratic-controlled Senate stop this kkk-racist-homophobic nomination by Bush. Thank God Bush is NOT dictator of this country!

Gay Days expected to have over 200,000 in Florida!

Gay days must be something special and a can't miss! I shouldn't made that my summer vacation. Maybe next year. Tuesday marks the start of the 16th annual event and more than 200,000 people are expected to spend millions of dollars this year.

I know the businesses in Florida are ready with over 200,000 people, so here comes the money!Gay Days is underway all across Central Florida. At the Parliament House hotel on Orange Blossom Trail, the decorations are already in place for this weekend's concerts.

"It’s tremendous, 100,000 to 150,000 that come into Orlando, fill hotels. We're already at capacity for the weekend,” said hotel owner Don Granatstein.

The owner of the Parliament House Hotel called Gay Days 10 days of insanity. Local business owners agree, saying the visitors in town this week plan on spending insane amounts of money.

"A lot, we already went shopping, we're going again today,” said Derald Gingerich, who’s visiting from Tampa.

"We came here Wednesday. I've already spent $700," said Daryl Barnes, of Michigan.

Gay Days has been an Orlando tradition since 1991, and tourists say it's a lot more crowded than it was in years past. The dollars stretch from coast to coast, as visitors take in the parks and the beaches.

"I had the opportunity to come, dropped everything, said I’m taking off work. I'm coming,” Barnes said.

Gay Days runs through this weekend.

Poland Investigates Teletubbies, Charges "Homosexual Promotions"

Now you think this insanity and superstitions would die with the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, but unfortunately the homo-hating government of Poland see something that the everyone else doesn't.Poland launches its own investigation into The Teletubbies, claiming the British television show for preschoolers promotes homosexuality. It does? What have i been missing?



"I noticed (Tinky Winky) has a lady's purse, but I didn't realize he's a boy."
"If inappropriate attitudes have been promoted, we need to react," says Ewa Sowinska, the nation's child rights ombudsman."At first I thought the purse would be a burden for this Teletubby ... Later I learned that this may have a homosexual undertone."
"It would be good for a group of psychologists to talk to children about this. We need to examine this." And while you're at it,examine yourself, ok. You look and sound foolish!

Sowinska sound like Falwell's previous crazy-talk around Tinky Winky and the plump purple creature's well-known fashion accessory, a bright-red handbag. Sowinska says this is "a hidden homosexual insinuation." Oh really? Is she gay to know such a thing or just "fishing" for something that makes her look like she missing some brain cells?

However, not everyone is catch the insanity of all of this around the character Tinky-Winky.The deputy speaker of the Polish parliament, Ludwik Dorn, a conservative Catholic, reprimanded Sowinska and advised her to avoid public statements that could make the ombudsman's office look "ridiculous." I have to say ridiculous is not the only word Justice MH is thinking. It makes them look crazy, and a bunch a**es!
When the show first aired in the United States in 1999, Falwell charged Tinky Winky was "modeling the gay lifestyle." Ok someone who is purple,playing, and running around with a purse. Another example of a so-called gay lifestyle.

Justice MH's Final thoughts: Now to be honest, growing up i hated the Teletubbies, and i don't recommend it. I rather the young ones in my family watch barney, Arthur, dragon tales, and sesame street. I never understood the Teletubbies, and really could care less about the show. Now the charges against it are stupid, and ridiculous! What's next are they gonna come with? Well when it comes to gay issues, people come with the most silly ideas, concepts, and even charges when it comes to gay issues. So all i can say to these people continue to make yourselves look like a**es. The Poland government needs to get their act together quick!

Tim Hardaway Naked In The Locker Room -videos are still on you tube!

Now I know everybody remember the infamous Tim Hardaway. You know the Tim Hardaway who says "he hates gay people".So i thought i would let everyone know these videos are still there, and speaks for themselves.
Take a look at the comments of what the people are saying:

"Oops!!Alot of typo's.I don't care if he is a big homo-phobic.I love to break that ass in.The guy in White cap is studying him real hard".

"oh and fyi gay people dont oggle people in fact they try twice as hard not to oggle you so its more likely a straight person will oggle you then a gay".

"if your gonna walk around the locker room naked in a public place then you deserve to be oggled at if your changing in a stall and someone looks over the top and checks you out than thats an invasion of privacy and obviously no one there cares about privacy cuz they are all naked anyways, gosh your so stupid".

"Guys that make statements like Tim are usually 99% of the time GAY"!

"somebody been hitting tim's ass, look how the guy next to is checking him out..its some dL in that locker room and tim is showing them the booty".

"DAYUM!! DAMN!! DAMN! is all I can say bout that bootyfull ass of Tim's. Got me droolin here! lol"

" The dude in the baseball cap is really checking Tim out.,I think its a couple of DL on that team and Tim is one.,but he has a nice ass.,somebody been hittin that ass fo sho"

"lmao, apparently he learned his lesson about fuckin witht the gays".

"HA! Looks like some gay dude got his ass GOOD"!

"He definitely been touched...If u know what I mean"

"Wow, that "big ass" of his serves as the perfect compliment to his personality. Good luck paying your in arrears mortgage now Big Mouth"!

"truth be told, tim is on the low....and that ass taste so good"

"Damn nice ass Tim, damn nice"!

"Months before the "I Hate Gay People" bit, Tim was voted as most likely to be gay in the NBA".

"He needs to be in a Hip Hop video wit all that ASS!!!!

"I see why he hates gay men. They would attack his fat booty,lol"

"looks like to me he wants those in the locker room to see that butterball turkey ass. no wonder he don't us in there, he wants it all for himself".

Justice MH's Final thoughts: LOL! As you can see, it seems that most enjoy this entertainment of Tim. I'm wondering like everyone else what took him so long to dress? He just walking around buck-ass naked like he wanted everyone to see! The man in the white cap could not keep his eyes off of Tim's body, and especially his ass. I see we have some dl men or evidently gay men there, and Tim is loving it! He just enjoyed showing his body, and ass to the whole locker room.
Anyway, this was funny as hell, and the videos are still there, hmmm!

Gallop Poll: almost a third of Amercians believe bible is literal word of God!

A Gallop found:

"About one-third of the American adult population believes the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally word for word, a new Gallup poll reveals. This percentage is only slightly lower than several decades ago.
Gallup reports that the majority of those "who don't believe that the Bible is literally true believe that it is the inspired word of God but that not everything it in should be taken literally." Finally, about one in five Americans believe the Bible is merely an ancient book of "fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man."

"There is also a strong relationship between education and belief in a literal Bible, Gallup explains, with such belief becoming much less prevalent as schooling continues".




I agree with fellow blogger Pam over at Pam's House Blend:"Help me understand this low-witted thinking -- how can anyone take the Bible literally when it's been translated, mistranslated, altered, edited, etc. in many languages (including over 50 modern English versions), never mind the issue of idioms".

She continues: I mean, what do these people think of The Good News Bible, which has been endorsed by the Catholic Church as well as Billy Graham and the Southern Baptist Convention? It's "written in a simple, everyday language." I'm sure that the folks in the King-James-Only movement would be quite unhappy.

Justice MH's Final thoughts: I'm with Pam on this, and I'm trying to understand why they think about this book in that way. I don't know what group I'm in, but some of these people haven't studied the book careful or any other holy book. That's all i have to say.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

Remember our troops who are sacrificing their lives for this country, and a war that's unjustified. The fact still remains that we have brave men and women willing to die for this country. There are families who have been through alot with their love ones in a civil war in Iraq. So let's not only remember our troop, but their families as well!

A little bit later, i will only post two posts for today. I want address something i was kindy silent on, and the other LGBT black bloggers talked about, but i was pretty silent. The next post will about something that's still floating around the internet. So stay tune, it may be a slow day today, but I'll have it up in early part of this evening. Enjoy your Memorial Day!

Ex-Gay's 30 year journey out of Ex-gay "Hell"!

For thirty years, Victoria Lavin thought reading Scripture would make her straight. When the miracle "cure" did not work, she numbed her pain with drugs and alcohol.

In recovery for substance abuse, Victoria finally realized she was fine, just as she was. She came out to her pastor and he condemned her. Thankfully, Victoria's daughter was there for support in her moment of need. As a result, Victoria reconnected with God and entered seminary.

Today, she is out and proud, living in the Midwest with her life partner.

Coming Out was the "cure" she needed all along to find true happiness and be at peace with her spirituality!

Justice MH's Thoughts: Another example with a ex-gay finding the truth that was there all along. This has nothing anything to do with a so-called flesh win or whatever. Victoria had to discover over 30 years that God loves her, and just the way God made her! Using God, the bible, and even twisting Jesus's message will not change sexual orientation!
As TWO's Wayne Besen says, "this just goes to show that people can change behavior or live in denial - but they don't change their sexual orientation. The truth is: You can't pray away the gay."

Romney: I am not intolerant of gays!

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Thursday that his opposition to same-sex marriage should not be interpreted as intolerance of gays, who served in his administration when he was Massachusetts governor.

In a brief interview with The Associated Press, Romney elaborated on comments he made during a campaign event dubbed "Ask Mitt Anything" in which an audience member questioned whether pastors should preach that homosexuality is a sin. Romney said the government shouldn't tell pastors what they can say.

Flip-flop factor:

Romney's record on gay rights has drawn scrutiny - and criticism that he changes with the political winds. In a 1994 bid against Sen. Edward Kennedy, Romney argued that he would be a better champion of gay rights than the Democrat. In 2003, after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that same-sex couples could wed in the state, Romney pushed for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

He noted that one of his Cabinet members was gay and that he appointed gays to positions of responsibility in his administration.

I oppose discrimination against gay people," Romney said. "I am not anti-gay. I know there are some Republicans, or some people in the country who are looking for someone who is anti-gay and that's not me."

He said he is opposed to gay marriage because it's not in the best interest of children.

Justice MH's final thoughts: Romney is going have to come up with a better argument than the tired old "children" argument. Romney save it, trying to roll back civil rights doesn't sound like open arms of tolerance and love to me. Romney has ask Congress to pass a federal marriage amendment, and urge that other LGBT legislation be defeated. Mitt just stop bull sh*tting us! No Deal! Thanks for nothing!
This shows he's only out to get votes from the religious "wrong" and conservatives. Good Luck with the hypocrites, y'all deserve one another!