Atheists Denounce Call to Criminalize Homosexuality in U.S.
An Atheist civil rights group today denounced a statement by a representative of the American Family Association that gay and lesbian Americans should be forced to receive "Reparative Therapy" and compared homosexuals to intravenous drug users.
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that the proposal "borders on Orwellian totalitarianism and seeks to further criminalize behavior over which the churches and the government should have no control whatsoever. Atheists have a wide variety of opinions about these
matters, and ours is not a gay rights organization, but we do firmly and consistently oppose privileging religious posturing in determining what is legally acceptable or to set government policy. Religionists who want to enlist government in their efforts to persecute others must be firmly
opposed."
Brian Fisher of the American Family Association told a radio audience earlier this week that homosexuals should be compelled to receive government-ordered psychotherapy for the same reason that drug users are often pushed into treatment.
"Compelling gays and lesbians to receive 'treatment' for consensual, adult behaviors is not only ineffective but politically unacceptable and ethically wrong," said Buckner. "This is the old religious right canard that gays are under the influence of Satan and are 'sick' because of
their sexual proclivities."
In a web posting, Fisher tried to justify his earlier statement by citing government statistics; he noted that the FDA, for instance, says that gay men have a greater chance of contracting HIV and other diseases than straight males. "That's a public health issue," said Buckner. "The AFA isn't really interested in public health hygiene; they're pushing a relentless religious agenda that stigmatizes Americans based on sexual preference."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that Fisher's remarks reflect the anti-gay, bible-based agenda of the AFA. "Since its founding in 1977 by Rev. Donald Wildmon, the American Family Associating has targeted gay men and women and done everything possible to deny this group of millions of Americans their civil rights."
"This proposal for government-mandated therapy sounds more like the old Soviet Union than the United States," added Silverman. "What is Fisher going to do when people refuse to be 'treated'? Will homosexuals who do not cooperate with this offensive bullying be put in jail or camps?"
Mr. Silverman says that when he learned of this proposal by AFA, he laughed at how the group is often mischaracterized as a "conservative" organization.
"Conservatives used to be suspicious of too much government. Now, we have AFA calling for the ultimate in government surveillance, control and compulsion. I wonder, if this proposal somehow became law, how much money and many police agents it would take to enforce it?"
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And in Uganda, thanks in part to the influence of Senators Inhofe and Ensign and the C Street Family, they want to execute all homosexuals . Why don't we hear of other Christians denouncing this? No offense to Atheists, but the best people to answer the false Christianity of the AFA are the real Christians, with the humanizing message of God's love for all of us.
Why does it take an organization of atheists to come out and say what all Americans should be stepping forward to say out loud? Every argument used to further the persecution of, and removal of rights from, gay people is anchored in religious reasoning. One of the most important principles this nation, and our Constitution, are based upon is the separation of church and state . The day we start letting our laws be based upon religious doctrine is the day we sink into madness and let the American dream die a horrible death like some junkie in a filthy alley.
To associate such an extremest organization with Conservatives is the same as associating Liberals with extreme factions of Liberalism such as Communists. I would characterize the AFA as a Fascist or Communist organization as both philosophies often believe in government controlled morality.
I searched about their website and that is not exactly what I found . What I found was statements from former homosexuals who struggled and felt that they were helped with psychological and emotional. In this article they were looking to break the silence imposed on any dialog about helping those with gender identity issues with support therapy. It was not the start of a witch hunt or mass conditioning, it was a moderate statement that for those in pain and struggle to have their community support their support needs also.
Read article below ...
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=890004
I wondered about that. One of the first things that struck me as odious about this article is that they don't cite their sources. And while they put plenty of their advocates' statements up word for word, they went ahead and just paraphrased the "statement" issued by an AFA representative. Which leads me to the second thing that detracts from this article's merit: one person at AFA might have said something stupid (we don't know, because they didn't cite it) - clearly that means the whole organization must be detestable. Good to know everyone's panties are in a bunch over something that didn't actually happen.
I've seen it all in this world, enough so that I now speak in high schools and colleges about my life. I'm a gay man, who in my youth was attacked and assaulted by Christians , while they were quoting Leviticus, and put in the emergency room to where I am today, a legally married gay man raising happy, well adjusted children . It's been an incredible journey, an incredible story.
Occurrences like the AFA advocating a jail sentence for me, only makes me laugh now. It used to make me angry. Now I just shake my head. How desperate they are, how FINALLY they are on the losing side of history and will go down in history with the George Wallaces of the 50s.
Thank you atheists , whether or not you agree with homosexuality (and that's what the comment section ALWAYS boils down to), but thank you for speaking out against religious oppression. Because right here in America, in 2010, it's still happening. So thank you for all that you do, and for your advocacy for minorities such as my family to be free from religious oppression. A thousand thank yous.
I can barely see through my tears of anger and my rage! I am a lapsed churchgoer, and while I am no atheist , I uphold anyones' right to believe whatever they want- and respect their choices, and would hope they would extend the same to me. But these new, old phony conservatives embarrass themselves with their unholy attitude toward others-the god they worship is Je$u$, and
it has nothing to do with religion.! I am speaking up against this abomination because I don't want to die leaving it unsaid. Gay marriage will happen, DADT will be dropped, people of good will
shall soon find their voice- and roar loudly! Thank you for allowing
me to speak.
I'm not saying I agree with the AFA's proposal, but it doesn't seem to me anymore oppressive than the policies towards the GLB community enforced during the administrations of such liberal icons as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Just because some of us have changed our opinions doesn't mean everyone has to change .
fine, I can understand that. But the question then is why, in essence, are they trying to criminalize homosexuality ?
hell, let's have a go at it with the AFA and see where it takes us...and if orwell is right, they too will face re- education (along with us all)...sometimes you just have to be willing to sink the whole ship to make your point (no matter how stupid your point might be)...you go AFA, evolution will win in the end (oops, I bet you've got thoughts about that too)...I've got some bath water and a baby , guess it's time to do some throwing out...