New ad warns same-sex ‘marriage’ activists want to silence opposition

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Washington D.C., May 1, 2009 / 01:48 am (CNA).- The National Organization for Marriage on Thursday launched a new advertisement highlighting the efforts of some gay “marriage” advocates to characterize defenders of marriage as liars and bigots. The ad warns of the “devastating consequences” the establishment of same-sex “marriage” would have on religious liberty and claims proponents want to “silence opposition.”

The ad, titled “No Offense,” also refers to attacks on beauty pageant contestant Carrie Prejean, Miss California, after she expressed her support for marriage between a man and a woman.

Asked a question about same-sex “marriage” by Miss USA pageant judge Perez Hilton, an openly homosexual gossip blogger, Prejean replied:

“I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be.”

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) ad reproduces that reply, as well as Hilton’s YouTube video calling Prejean a “dumb b----.”

The NOM ad also says the organization was attacked as “liars and bigots” for “expressing concern about how same-sex marriage would impact religious groups.”

It then excerpts an MSNBC Hardball appearance by Joe Solmonese of the homosexual activist group Human Rights Campaign.

Solmonese said “It’s no longer palatable in this country or okay to be an outright bigot. If you want to deny us these rights, you need to do it by lying and misrepresenting.”

The ad’s narrator then says:

“Gay marriage activists attack people for supporting marriage because they don’t want to debate the consequences of same-sex marriage. They want to silence opposition.”

It then adds, “some of the nation’s foremost legal scholars” warn that same-sex “marriage” can create “widespread legal conflicts” for individuals, small businesses and religious organizations.

The NOM web site presents a copy of a nine page April 20 letter to the Connecticut House of Representatives by law Profs. Thomas C. Berg, Carl H. Esbeck, Robin Fretwell Wilson and Richard W. Garnett.

The professors’ letter, referring to the book “Same-sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts,” said “legal scholars on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate agreed that codifying same-sex marriage without providing robust religious accommodations will create widespread and unnecessary legal conflict—conflict that will work a ‘sea change in American law’ and will ‘reverberate across the legal and religious landscape.’”

The “No Offense” ad is the second produced by NOM’s $1.5 million ad campaign.

“Our mission is to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it," the group's executive director Brian Brown said Tuesday. "We want to highlight the very real effects on our liberties and especially on religious organizations, businesses, and individuals."

According to CNN, Brown said that NOM is concerned that those who oppose same-sex “marriage” are being cast as bigots like those who opposed racial integration.

The ad is viewable at the NOM web site http://www.nationformarriage.org

Comments: 23

Subscriber comments:

Published by: JPC
Minneapolis 10/08/2009 01:30 AM EST

This comment is directed towards the ignorant comments quoting the bible: Perhaps you need to spend a little more time reading through the bible finding what is wrong with the world around you and start doing a little self studying? Just a suggestion. Your comments sound as if you are highly uneducated in not only the Holy word of God but also life in general. Perhaps you should stop worrying about "the fiery doors of hell opening up" and start worrying about what it is that you can do with your time that would make life more enjoyable for not only yourself but also others. Perhaps you should ask god to give you the strength and ability to be open and walk in love towards others just as Jesus did. Look what the devil is doing to the US!?! Really? Give me a break. I think this country has a lot more big fish to fry than DOMA being repealed. Perhaps you should be putting your energies into being so electronically involved in things that actually are ruining our country: The welfare system. In fact, I'm sure some of you are even users and abusers! Using your EBT card to buy condoms, people magazine, and gum down at your local target! What I'm really trying to say is: SAME-MARRIAGE IS HAPPENING. COMING TO A STATE NEAR YOU!GET OVER IT! God provides. God is love. You probably are going to go cheat on your wife now...but that's probably ok in your mind. Right? Because God loves heterosexuals no matter what. All Gods people said: AMEN! (even the homos!)

Published by: Jean
NY 06/05/2009 12:13 PM EST

Anyone go over to the Courage Apostolate?
Anyone read Father Harvey's Book Homosexuality and the Catholic Church Clear Answers to Difficult Questions?
Very interesting.

Published by: MTB
New Haven, CT 05/13/2009 12:37 PM EST

The bibles version of a wife or wives role in a marriage is very clear. Sub-serviant to the husband, marriage by it's on definition throughout history has developed and change. This change does nothing to reduce the quality of marriage for straight people. Women have rights and are no longer thought of as the property of their husbands as the bible originally laid out the relationship, does this make it a bad thing?

More than 50% of marriages end in divorce. More than 1.7 million children are born out of wedlock each year.

Cafeteria Catholisim, picking and choosing what we want to live by. The churches views on Birth Control, the churhes stance on divorce. Women can not be priests because in the bible it clearly states that women should not be in a position to teach men.

Do some math, educate youselves, understand the bibles message of loving one another. Put down the first stone, and allow loving families to be married, either gay or straight.

Published by: Rollie delos Reyes II
Philippines 05/04/2009 11:30 AM EST

i believe that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and should not be called a "b----" just because she does not agree with your own opinion.

the problem really here lies in our inability to accept that in as much as there are physical "rules" that define the physical nature (e.g. gravity, motion etc.) there are also spiritual "rules" that define the spiritual nature of the world and of man.

there are definite truths out there that when defiled, has great consequences. one such truth is that abortion is murder. another truth is that marriage was instituted between a man and a woman not only because of their natural ability to procreate (and so secure the survival of the human species), but also of their natural complementarity (as a man or as a woman) in all aspects of their physique and psyche.

denying the truth leads us to accept "truth" that is relative to each situation.

denying the definition of marriage between a man and a woman re-defines marriage, and in effect family and society as well.

soon we will be having a man marrying his pet dog or a woman marrying a oak tree.

no offense meant, but this is the truth.

Published by: Jennifer
Fort Collins, CO USA 05/04/2009 11:11 AM EST

Are these people ALSO attacking President Obama for believing marriage is between a man and a woman?

Published by: Militia Christi
New Market, MN 05/04/2009 09:29 AM EST

If you think they won't eventually try to force Catholicism to perform same sex marriage rituals you are sorely mistaken. There will be martyrdom in this country at the hands of these flesh pleasure seekers, who scream crucify him, crucify him! I am prepared to take up my cross and follow the Lord. Bring it on.

Published by: John
England 05/03/2009 10:09 AM EST

But Carl Sanwald, there is but one race - the human race.

Published by: Wilton
Gainesville, FL 05/02/2009 09:24 PM EST

Carrie said what she believed in - that same-sex marriage is unnatural and against God. I guess she didn't think about God and unnaturalness when she got her breast implants.

Published by: kenneth
Illinois 05/02/2009 07:06 PM EST

NOM is no more enlightened or original than the bigots who blocked barricaded the schools against integration 50 years ago. "We don't have anything against these people, we just need to keep things the way God intended!"

Published by: Jane Coley
Ohio 05/02/2009 03:41 PM EST

Why do religious people thing that "freedom of speech" means your views don't get criticized? Freedom of speech in fact means the government doesn't limit speech, not that no one can say anything bad about what you said.

Published by: thomasALEX
Wasilla, AK 05/02/2009 02:11 PM EST

I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman and a woman and a woman. No offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be. And that is how God wanted it.

Published by: Fr. Peter Richards
Albertville, MN, USA 05/02/2009 12:44 PM EST

I think what the article says is that those who advocate for legalizing "same-sex" marriage are afraid of real dialogue about the consequences of such legislation.They are only focused on getting their legislation passed. I agree. They are not concerned about anyone, but themselves. WE need to work hard and speak out about keeping the legal definition of marriage between one man and one woman. We also need to work hard and speak out about building up the family and serving the needs of healthy family life.
I have two comments on my fellow commenators. First, all of the comments are dated 1/5/09. What's up? That was three plus months ago.
SEcond,Mr. Carl Sanwald obviously was raised only half Catholic or Christian. Marriage between a man and woman of mixed races is not wrong.I had my doubts that racism still exists among Catholics, Christians and people of good will. Unfortunately, after reading your comments, I don't doubt that racism still exists. Let's get your faith right, brother.

Published by: Tom Basic
San Francisco, CA, U.S. 05/02/2009 09:18 AM EST

Wow! I think it's only natural to go full-bore militant on this issue. May God give us the grace to wage war by his means and power, not ours, because the Devil sure knows how to push our buttons (that Perez Hilton sure is a tolerant guy)! Carl Sanwald, I respect that you have an opinion, but this Eurasian begs to differ with you. I think Jesus and his ancestors, Boaz the Jew and Ruth the Moabitess would disagree with you, too.

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
Scituate Mass. USA 05/02/2009 08:19 AM EST

A bigot and a hate criminal may get on a website like CNA and chastise Catholics for believing in traditional marriage. They don't agree with the Pope or the Bishops and express the view that if they were Catholic,they aren't now because the Church is mid-evil in it's viewpoints.
As a Catholic if I don't agree with abortion or Gay rights I should stay off their websites. These websites are particular in their viewpoints.
A beauty pageant is neutral territory and should not be a source of confrontation. It is all in fun.
Websites are support systems to express similar viewpoints and are constructive as they help others to know what their particular point of view is.
This website is appropriate to express legitimate Catholic viewpoints lovingly. The viewpoint isn't meant to be a point of contention to anyone. Everyone is precious to God as evidenced by the love of Christ,so we all can share in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Free speech is reasonable communication and a respect for each others point of view. Don't get mad if I don't agree with you because I simply don't have to. That is an individual right. I don't believe in gay marriage but I do believe that there should be legal protection for partners that have lived together for a long time both gay and straight. I see nothing unloving in this viewpoint and certainly there is no hate crime.
Remember your opponent isn't against you he is looking for solutions that is beneficial for all as diplomacy is the goal.

Published by: BRAVE HEART
U.S.A. 05/01/2009 11:18 PM EST

THIS SAME SEX MARRIAGE PROBLEM IS PURE EVIL. THIS CAN AND SHALL BE NOTHING LESS THAN A FAST TRACK TO HELL FOR THE U.S.A. & THE WORLD. THE PRO GAY HATE BILL IS GOING TO ROB US OF ARE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH PLUS MORE. IS IT A CIVIL RIGHT TO BE A RAPIST ??? IS A CIVIL RIGHT TO BE A VILE PERVERT ??? IS IT A CIVIL RIGHT TO BE A PEEPING TOM ??? WHAT NEXT PEOPLE GETTING MARRIED TO FARM ANIMALS ??? WHAT NEXT WHEN THE GATES OF HELL ARE PUSHED OPEN ??? WAKE UP AMERICA BEFORE SOMETHING WORST HAPPENS TO US BY THE WRATH OF GOD ALMIGHTY !!! DEAR LORD SAVE US FROM THE DARKNESS THAT IS ALL AROUND US!!!

Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto, Canada 05/01/2009 10:14 PM EST

Have we ever stopped to wonder how 4 per cent of the population (the estimate of homosexuals) can command so much attention, and so captivate the common media? Within the next decade, there will be a vicious backlash against these people,because of how they have distorted decent values.

Published by: Jane
Orlando/Fl 05/01/2009 09:53 PM EST

What is the reason that only part of her answer is shown in the commercial? I don't have a problem with her stating her own belief & how she was raised. Her comment started with: : "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage".
It is the her ignorance of the laws in the US that should forbid her from representing the country in any capacity. Or are we no longer concerned that our citizens are unfamiliar with laws in the country?

Published by: Laura Wells
Underhill, Vt., USA 05/01/2009 04:13 PM EST

The marriage between a man and a woman has never been about what is recieved, but about giving to one another and the building of a family. The entire argument presented in favor of the gay marriage debate is about recieving benefits, but nothing about the benefit to society. The problem with the stiffling of debate is there will not be a full public discussion of the institution of marriage, the great benefit society receives from it, the pressures and very real trouble marriage is in in our modern society and how to build it up. There will always be men and women who will commit themselves to each other and raise their children the best they are able, but the question is will society assist them in their task or fail to recognize the unique benefit society receives from this very particular institution called marriage.

Published by: Al P
Los Angeles CA 05/01/2009 03:26 PM EST

I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. thank you Miss California A++++++++++

Published by: Bob Penzkover
Rock Springs, WI, USA 05/01/2009 01:55 PM EST

I have to laugh at people who think we have a Constitutional guarantee of free speech. On a daily basis, activist Courts are rewriting the Constitution. For instance, what's a "hate" crime? Free speech expressing an emotion contrary to the liberal agenda. Also, what about the right to life? Over a million unborn babies killed every year becuase in 1973, those poor little ones were denied Constitutional entitlement. Hey, but illegal aliens? Let's make sure they get every right of a U.S. citizen. Quite clearly, if we didn't have groups fighting to save what our founding fathers gave us in the Constitution, our way of life would be far more miserable than it already is (politically, if that's even conceivable.

Published by: Carl Sanwald
Birmingham, AL 05/01/2009 11:02 AM EST

Rate: Regular

I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman OF THE SAME RACE. No offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be.

Published by: Leander Dosch
Huntsville, Utah 05/01/2009 08:16 AM EST

When will politicians and judges realize that same-sex "marriage" does nothing for the future of a nation. It is only stable marriages between a man and a woman which assure the future of a nation by raising up new citizens.

Published by: Robin Andress
Phoenix, Arizona,, USA 05/01/2009 02:57 AM EST

In a nation that has Constitutional guarantee of free speech and religion, the charge that those against gay marriage are being silenced is silly. Common folks, the pulpits, the websites, the religous broadcasting, really! It is true that some ot the supposed consequences being used to cause fear may me as false as this charge.

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