Updated Feb 8, 2012 - 3:16 am

Catholics urge action against gay marriage

Ahead of today's House vote on a marriage equality bill, the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle is using its website to urge representatives to defend the legal definition of marriage as being a union between a man and a woman.

The Archdiocese, which represents nearly 1 million Catholics in Western Washington, has an "action alert" on its home page. It asks people to send an email to state representatives urging them to "defend marriage" and to vote against marriage-equality legislation.

The Church believes marriage is the foundation of civilization. "It has long been recognized that the stability of society depends on the stability of family life in which a man and a woman conceive and nurture new life," according to a statement from Catholic bishops in the state.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, who is Catholic, admits she struggled with her faith's teaching before deciding to support same-sex marriage. Gregoire says, "All families in our state that they are equal and that the state cannot be in the business of discrimination."

Washington United for Marriage, a pro-gay rights organization, says, "People from all walks of life, including gay and lesbian couples, share the same values of love, commitment and family - and a majority of Washingtonians support these couples getting married and building their families."

The bill legally recognizing same-sex marriages goes to a vote in the House at 1 p.m. After a floor debate, the majority of representatives are expected to pass the legislation. The Senate has already approved a marriage-equality bill on a 28 to 21 vote. The Governor has said she will sign the legislation within five business days of the House passage.

Gay and lesbian couples would then be able to wed beginning in June, unless opponents follow through with enough valid signatures to force a public vote in November.

Gregoire

Gov. Chris Gregoire on Jan. 4, 2012, announcing she wants Washington to become the seventh state to make gay marriage legal. (AP Photo)

By Linda Thomas

How Washington Senators voted on gay marriage

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Paul Kersey wrote...

We're all Catholics now...

February 8, 2012 6:01 am

I will stand with them. They will be persecuted for having the courage to stand against the dark forces that are once again rising against civilization. Gregoire is no more of a Catholic than is Nancy Pelosi. They should be excommunicated. Why do they continue with their charades? They are fooling no one....but that is a very fitting choice for her picture....wasn't sure if it was Gregoire or Dana Carvey doing the Church Lady.

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tbookout17 wrote...

that's hilarious Paul

February 8, 2012 6:18 am

I thought the exact same thing

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

We're all Catholics now... ???? HARDLY.

February 8, 2012 9:29 am

how does the Catholics showing that they are willing to force others to do someting the right thing? It sure as heck doesn't make any of us catholics. Waht it makes many of us is mad. They, like sooo many other 'so-called Christians' want to force us to live by thier standards and rules (which is a joke given thier priest-little boy issues) instead of living by God's actual rules and the teachings of Jesus. They did not tell us to go out and force others to comply with what YOU think his word is. He did NOT tell us that judging and condeming others was ok. YET HERE THEY GO - violating God's will as much as they claim gays are.

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Paul Kersey wrote...

It must have been hell

February 8, 2012 9:46 am

for the poor recruits who were confined to the barracks with a sodomy loving PhonyMarineSgt....funny that this deviant would criticize gay priests.

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BikeNazi wrote...

In this thread: Christian victims post below

February 8, 2012 9:44 am

.

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cigarfan wrote...

A good time to switch to the Episcopal church!

February 8, 2012 12:02 pm

Same rituals, half the guilt!

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sohojo wrote...

Evil

February 8, 2012 6:09 am

Catholics urge action against gay marriage and continue to encourage and cover up the rape of young boys.

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irony wrote...

that rape was done by gay men

February 8, 2012 7:59 am

so your wanting to expose the actions of gay men on young boys.

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Whidbeyboy wrote...

Irony

February 8, 2012 9:03 am

No, it was the action of Gay Catholics men, or better yet child molesters. And the Catholic church is FAR from being innocent of numerous unethical and immoral actions and so this is ironic. Fact is, the sky will not fall (though Christians have been saying this since the beginning of thier belief, and it is a matter of constitutional rights, not religious ideals. This is why will have a separation of church and state, t5o prevent folks like the catholics from deciding how others should live.

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wsualumn wrote...

Support Them By Sending a Check

February 8, 2012 6:59 am

So they can pay off additional young men that have been molested by priests and were then sent off to other churches in hopes that the problem would disappear.

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sohojo wrote...

Priests

February 8, 2012 7:26 pm

I know is is not fair to blame the entire Cathloic faith for the despicable actions of a few priests, but the absolute abuse of power and abuse of children by "people of God" makes me sick. They should be put to death.

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It's me! Ha ha! wrote...

I was born and raised Catholic

February 8, 2012 7:29 am

I have not been to chuch in a long time. Years. It is now time to get my butt back to Mass!
Will this be ironic or what when people who beleive in God are responcible for the defeat of the Dear Leader!

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wsualumn wrote...

Uh HA HA

February 8, 2012 8:53 am

Did you know that The Catholic Church believes in health coverage for all? Did you know that many Bishops have pushed for universal health care? Did you know that The Catholic Church does not want to have the new health care plan over turned? They have problems with the part regarding contraception, but that is it. When Obama wins in 2012, God will have spoken(I guess as far as you see how divine intervention works).

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It's me! Ha ha! wrote...

And I don't agree with this, WSU.

February 8, 2012 9:48 am

But now the Church and Catholics and Christians and Jews and Muslims have taken a stand against this regime and it's forcing it's "Religion of Obama" upon us.
YES we have a separation of Church and state. But not for the reason that you people constanly squawk about. It is not to allow you mindless heathens to force your anti God political agenda upon us Americans who choose (Key word there!)to worship as we want and for instances such as this. We want to be allowed to worship in our own our own faith, or be free to not worship. Nobody is forcing you to accept God. Obama is now trying to tell us what deity to worship (His regime) and who to pay homage to. IE The Obama special interest groups and that Obama has gotten his regime into the marriage business.
We have never seen the assaults upon our freedoms like we are seeing with this regime. Never before!
Along with the ObamaEconomy and the Middle East on fire, the cost of fuel and 1/2 of this nation not paying taxes and on welfare and illegals, ect, ect, how do you think that we Americans will vote this November? Or, better question yet, who will we NOT VOTE FOR? Will Obama change directions between now and Novmeber 9th? I think that you know that answer as well as I do!

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wsualumn wrote...

HA HA

February 8, 2012 10:49 am

Can you please explain to me where he has asked us to worship him? Can you tell me where he is denying peole the right to worship within their own faith? Since when did Obama get into the religion business? You have it wrong about half the nation not paying taxes. You need to turn off glenn Beck and Rush. half the working force doesn't pay income taxes because they don't earn enough to qualify. They pay payroll tax and many other taxes. The Obama economy? When Bush left office we were losing 700,000 jobs a month and the stock moarket dropped to about 6,000. We now have positive job growth and The Dow was in the 13,000 point range yesterday. When Bush left,my investment portfolio dropped significantly. It has now rebounded and improved.

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It's me! Ha ha! wrote...

Bush is not in office

February 8, 2012 12:48 pm

your Dear Leader is.

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wsualumn wrote...

You Are Right

February 8, 2012 10:18 pm

You ask how we think people will vote this November. A lot of people see a change for the better. They see things improving, including Mitt Romney. A comparison as to where we were 3 plus years ago and where we are now. Bush is not in office and things have improved since he limped away.

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Chuck Gould wrote...

The Catholic Church might not really be all that hypocrital on this issue........

February 8, 2012 7:29 am

none of the thousands of rapist priests they "relocated,counseled, and prayed for", (instead of turning over to the cops for trial), offered to "marry" their same-sex victims.
An adult raping a child is OK, (in fact, the poor, misguided adult is going to need counseling, prayer, and therapy), but two consenting adults of the same sex wanting to initiate a contract to hold property in common and enjoy some other privileges the law extends only to "married" people, is somehow stable boy to the Four Horsemen.
I have nothing against Catholics, but their church (like my own) is imperfect. The Catholic Church, as an institution, should be a little less vocal on social issues.
Hey, Catholics: Don't support Gay Marriage? Then don't perform any of them in your churches. I would defend, vigorously, such a refusal.

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Seattle Dad wrote...

Unfortunately

February 8, 2012 8:48 am

the Washington State congress refused to provide that protection in the legislation. So people objecting to participating in the Gay union will be sued. Public schools will not mandate teaching to our children. And it's not just Catholics, it's Christians.

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Seattle Dad wrote... "Unfortunately" - and he's unfortunately wrong.

February 8, 2012 9:37 am

You must have been fun in class. Missing blatant facts and then telling others the wrong information... Here's the actual truth. Written into the bill is direct statements that allow religious organizations to say 'no' to performing gay marriages without getting a lawsuit against them. However, it does not allow anyone else who deals with the public to avoid following the existing anti-discrimination laws. Before the gay marriage law passes AND after it does: If you rent out a hall for wedding receptions, you cannot deny gays. If you rent out rooms as a bed and breakfast, you cannot deny gays. And so on.

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roll wrote...

FMS

February 8, 2012 7:01 pm

pull your head out. I doubt you were a marine caus if you were you would see the truth .I go by what happens what is.we were guerenteed no one had to do abortions that did not belive in it caus of faith now you have to. im not religous i dont belive in god but i think the ten commandmemts are a good rule to live by that is my choice. im not scared im going to burn in hell.if i dont live my life that way. its just the way a good person is. so what is next your dad /mom/ brother/sister/2 wives/ 2 husbands/my dog loves me or marry a building in seattle say wa =joke most states think we are good humor

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Duh! wrote...

Hipocrites!

February 8, 2012 7:29 am

You say you are protecting the SANCTITY of marriage while allowing for several divorces. Jesus surrounded himself with what the established religious leaders of the time considered sinners. You proclaim the sanctity of marriage but go cheating on your spouses every chance you get and molest little children when given the opportunity. "Why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" As you are judging so shall you be judged! Hipocrites!!!!!

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Seattle Dad wrote...

Sad

February 8, 2012 8:46 am

You know little of what you speak. Divorce is a sad dissolution of a couple. There is religous divorce and legal divorce. Adultery is also not a Christian value. Molesting children is not a Christian value. Don't confuse the frailties of man with the ideals of God. I'm not judging here. I'm only reporting what God says. He will judge our actions. I don't see the hypocrisy here.

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Sad....

February 8, 2012 9:37 am

We aren't confusing the failties of man with the ideals of God. We are pointing out the frailties of man in the objections to gay marriage. It is not up to man to deny gay marriage anymore than it is up to man to deny that the frailties of man exist. You are right - he will judge our actions. HE WILL - not you or I. For those that chose to beleive differently, he will judge them. NOT YOU - NOT ME. There is tremendous hypocracy in the folks who judge gays - for they ignore God's laws and the teachings of Jesus when they do so. They also put themselves above God when they pridefully ignore his laws 'in order to follow thier version of what God wants'

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Chuck Gould wrote...

The Catholiic Stance on this issue is fabulous news for the depressed timber industry in Washington State...

February 8, 2012 7:35 am

Matthew 7:3 "First remove the log from your own eye, so you can see clearly to remove the speck of sawdust from the eye of your bother."
Wow. We're going to need a lot of loggers for this one. :-)

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itiswhatitis wrote...

I can't believe .....

February 8, 2012 7:45 am

I can't believe after all the money they have had to spend for pedophile priests and tainting the good priests and the religion as a whole, they are the last group to be throwing in their two cents worth. As a recovering Catholic, to be christian is accepting of everyone and do good for all.

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Seattle Dad wrote...

It's not loving

February 8, 2012 8:52 am

to lie to someone. Telling a gay couple that their relationship is a marriage is as much of a lie as telling Chastity Bono she's a man. I can love them and have compassion for them, but I won't lie to them. Don't hide behind the abominations of pedophiles hiding in the priesthood. God doesn't support either behavior. A Christian loves everyone, but not always their behavior. Adultery, cheating, lying, are just some of the other unacceptable behaviors. I don't support them either.

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

WTHeck? Seattle Dad wrote "Telling a gay couple that thier relationship is a marriage is a lie'????

February 8, 2012 9:45 am

Government approved marriage IS Marriage - you cannot tell ANYONE otherwise. Lying in the name of God is as wrong as any other kind of lying. Telling others that a marriage you don't agree with is NOT real marriage is as much an abomination as you try to paint others with. Even Jesus understood that what is God's is God's and what is Cesar's is Cesar's (aka government).

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sportsguru wrote...

I have been on record

February 8, 2012 7:46 am

Of having a problem with changing the definition of marriage to include same sex individuals.

But to hear the catholic church speak out against this just show's how much of a Hipocrite that the church has become or always was, given there record of rape against defenseless kids. I am also a catholic and will never step into another catholic church as long as I live.

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irony wrote...

and kick pretend catholics out of church.

February 8, 2012 7:56 am

what would jesus do, he would not let secular people determine morality, he would not let secular people be in position of authority in the church, he would ask all to follow him not the other way around.

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Chuck Gould wrote...

Irony wrote: What would Jesus do? He would not let secular people determing morality.

February 8, 2012 8:17 am

"Whose image appears on the coin? Caesar? Then render unto Caesar that which is his, and render all else unto God."
Marriage equality is a matter of civil law, not religious "morality". If your church does not want gays to marry, then don't marry any of them at your church. Your church, not "secular people", will determine how you believe you best honor and obey God.
Many churches believe that it is "immoral" to drink alcohol, dance, play cards, engage in premarital sex, etc. Should those churches be working at a feverish pace to make it "illegal" for others to have a beer, go to a dance, gamble at a casino, or be intimate with another human being if they are not "married"? Why not, if the churches are somehow compelled to attach legal consequences to the "immoral" status of being born homosexual?

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Realpeople wrote...

To Mr. Chuck Gould: Read this.

February 9, 2012 10:23 am

Would you please quit taking the Word of God out of its text. ***Legal Binding: I see you are one of the those that oppose yourself of life in God: Because it is legal binding between God and man, (that means you too)that we come to place of repentance of our sins. Now, you know it is wrong for to men to want to bang each other in the B-hind, it is sick and perverted and send kids in our society the wrong message! Now, government may say it's ok, but God didn't. God is the Lord thy God and he hasn't changed his mind on any lewd behavior. But I come to the place that you have determined already in your heart that there is no God and that he will not hold you accountable for actions done in your body? But He will; rather in this life or the day of judgement: where you will have to give account to God for the deeds you have committed. God loves you, but don't be a fool in the ways of the world, but follow God! He loves you, I love you, but i will not say that you are right when everything you say is contrary to the Creator's Word, Jesus. Remember, Christians live for the life to come to be ever with the Saviour of the world and that is why we encourage people to come and hear, then live, and then reach out to others that gospel of love may abound in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Please quit reeeeading things out of its text. Thanks

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Whidbeyboy wrote...

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

February 8, 2012 9:28 am

That's the problem, you have no idea. He never mentions it and spent his time helping the less advantaged (and Gays?) It really is about contitutional rights and I am leaving this up to the courts and not the Church or the opinions of Christians (or any other religion).

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Updated Feb 8, 2012 - 3:16 am

Catholics urge action against gay marriage

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