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April 8, 2009 10:29 AM

$1.5 Million Spent On Anti-Gay Marriage Ad

Posted by Brian Montopoli
A group called the National Organization for Marriage, which worked to overturn gay marriage in California, is out with a controversial new ad that suggests opponents of same-sex marriage are now being victimized for their beliefs.

"There's a storm gathering," one woman says as the spot opens. Says another woman: "I am afraid."

Later in the spot, a man says same-sex marriage advocates "want to bring the issue into my life." He is followed by a woman who says "my freedom will be taken away."

Another woman says same-sex marriage advocates "want to change the way I live." A teenage girl intones, "I will have no choice."



Ben Smith reports that the National Organization for Marriage is spending $1.5 million to air the spot in an effort to turn back the tide of gay marriage, which was yesterday legalized in Vermont. The spots will air in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Iowa.

The group does not back away from the ad's argument that same-sex marriage has a direct, negative impact on non-gay people.

"The biggest argument – and the biggest lie – put forward by those who want to redefine marriage is that it's not going to have any effect on you," NOM executive director Brian Brown told Smith. He added that those who back gay marriage "are saying that it’s right for the law to treat us as evil discriminators."

As evidence, Brown pointed to the fact that Catholic charities in Massachusetts stopped handling adoptions after legislation passed in the state outlawing discrimination against gays and lesbians who want to adopt.

Smith notes that states that have legalized same-sex marriage have passed exemptions and other rules to protect the autonomy of religious groups.

UPDATE: The gay rights group The Human Rights Campaign has released a statement denouncing the ad as "full of outrageous falsehoods" and noting that the claims "don’t even come out of the mouths of real people." Here's the full release, which includes rebuttals of the spot's main claims.
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by rastaman48 April 19, 2009 4:28 PM EDT
I support the efforts of gays re civil unions and possibly same sex marriage. However, I am distrurbed by the phoniness of the NOM ad advocating against same sex marriage as well as the bigoted anti- religious comments of some on this forum in defence of same sex marriage.. I f same sex marriage is to become a reality that we all accept in this society, it needs to be done in a manner that disproves the hate mongers on the right. Those who decry time honored religious beliefs as ******** or religious bigotry merely prove the point the right is trying to make. The better argument is to show that being gay is genetically based and therefore outside the will of the individual. Therefore the application of the bill of rights to those individuals who had no say in being who they are sexually ( as blacks have no say in being born black) is one argument that will convince americans of all creeds who believe in the application of the fundamental rights to all citizens of this great nation. Stop with the anti-religious comments, even when you are being baited. They are not helpful!!!!!
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by 8el1ever April 13, 2009 3:51 PM EDT
Whether you believe that Christ was the son of God or not, historical evidence from many groups of his time (Jews, Romans, Egypticans, etc.) indicates that he lived and died for what he believed in. He inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of his time to follow him and believe in his teachings. Today, we find ourselves in an incredibly complex, global financial crisis where millions around the world may eventually go hungry and medical treatment for many may evaporate. The weather is changing and the polar ice caps are melting, threatening to change much of this planet's beautiful, life-sustaining landscape into wasteland. The cause of this climate change is not yet fully agreed upon. War and conflict continue to permeate many cultures with no peace, humanity, or chance for understanding in sight. If Christ were here with all of this going on at this very instant, he would see this group spending $1.5 M USD on the earth shattering issue of gay marriage. If Christ were the manager of this rock that we all share, I don't think he would approve this group's budget, do you?
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by Truth623 April 12, 2009 1:13 AM EDT
cynkie and sgeveokpYou can keep your demonic lies to yourself. What, are you afraid that the truth exposes your agenda. The California teachers Assn donated $1.3 million to oppose Prop 8, and some teachers had their students out carrying signs. You are a parrot without reason. The separation og cvhurch and state, means that the government will not dictate or interferw with RELIGION. Try reading the case: SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA, ET AL. V. SCHEMPP ET AL.

Under the United States Constitution, the treatment of religion by the government is broken into two clauses: the establishment clause and the free exercise clause. While both are discussed in the context of the separation of church and state, it is more often discussed in regard to whether certain state actions would amount to an impermissible government establishment of religion.
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by puffysal April 11, 2009 11:07 AM EDT
If someone doesn't believe in gay marriage, then that person shouldn't marry someone of the same sex. It's really that simple.
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by tturner55 April 11, 2009 1:33 AM EDT
God's word has stood since the beginning of time which was also created by HIM. In the beginning HE created man and then woman, not another man. Your argument does not change the intentions of the creator. For all have sinned, not just homosexuals, and fall short of the Glory of GOD. But, John 3:16 says: GOD so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten son (Jesus Christ) that whoever would believe in HIM (Jesus Christ) would not perish but have everlasting life. No secular human, government, or sinful world can alter the purpose of the creator and his intentions for the human race. Although he does give us a free will to choose our ways even if the ways we choose may be wrong HE still LOVES us and wishes none to perish, but as HE says in HIS word he will judge the wicked. I find it quit amazing that the secular humanist has twisted the facts around in order to suit their purposes in an attempt to justify their sins. Easter and Christmas have been celebrated for centuries and that will continue long after we are gone. No matter what you feel right now toward GOD he still LOVES you and will forgive you if you call name of Jesus and put your Faith and Trust in HIM. Have a blessed Easter Sunday.
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by mattbeetar April 10, 2009 5:34 AM EDT
Oh please tturner55 what a load of rubbish. First of all, in a secular state you can't abide by any one religion - it's discrimination. Rather abide by a notion of HUMAN and HUMANE justice.

Second of all, speak to any educated scholar in theology and classics and they'll tell you just how stable your bible is. If you're unwilling to question your faith, then you contribute to a cycle of hate and misery in the world.

To illustrate, let's look at you fabled Old Testament. What of slavery? Mixed fibres? Seafood? Infidelity? Look at http://www.buttwheat.com/open_letter_to_dr_laura.htm for a rather amusing take on this.

Do not preach when you haven't questioned. The word "homosexual" wasn't even invented until the 1800s, so that just shows how inaccurate your translation (1CO 6:9!!!) is.

Shame on you.
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by tturner55 April 10, 2009 1:56 AM EDT
Here are the words from God's Holy Bible that we read in Sunday school and anywhere else we may be. We"ll let God's words speak for themselves on this subject:

LEV 18:22 "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is
detestable.

29 "'Everyone who does any of these detestable things--such persons must
be cut off from their people.

20:13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them
have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will
be on their own heads.

ROM 1:26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their
women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and
were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with
other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things
deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also
approve of those who practice them.

1CO 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor
adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers
will inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God.

1TI 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers
and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those
who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-
-and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
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by cynkie April 10, 2009 12:26 AM EDT
my god, this is the most disgusting piece of bigoted filth i've ever seen. since when do schools teach anything about marriage of any kind, much less gay marriage? this is fear mongering at its worst. if churches don't believe in gay marriage, then for god's sake don't hold any gay marriages in your sanctuaries! it's as simple as that. separation of church and state is what this country was built on. the religious bigots need to keep their hideous lies to themselves and leave the community at large alone. gay couples, just like "interracial" couples should have the same rights as everyone else to be married in the eyes of the law, with the same benefits and privileges that go with it. and stop denigrating the names of jesus and god and christians with your trashy ideas. the people who created this ad need to go back to sunday school and study hard about what jesus really said and what he stood for. what happened to the basic concept of: god is love?
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by stevokp April 9, 2009 9:38 PM EDT
they know April Fool's was like a while ago right? they are "afraid"? they'll have "no choice"? DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE! who are these people?

"Let's all, from every(well not really 'every' cuz we like to judge people and decide who deserves human rights and who doesn't, ya know, like we've done for hundreds of years, cuz that's how we handle stuff) creed, come together in love to spread discrimination and intolerance to build a better world where we no longer live in insecurity fearing a threat that really doesn't pose any real threat at all. A world where every man (because women are subservient and children who disobey should be executed -check out Leviticus you jerks who simply read and take every word in the book literally ) doesn't have to face the possibility that he could find happiness in forms other than simply what he is told. Where you love who you are told you may love rather than who your heart tells you.."

Look who's casting the first stone, yet again. But then again, an eye for an eye... or was it turn the other cheek? I can't remember so let's just go and pretend we're better than eveyrone who isn't like us. Good Plan! God digs it when we take a load off his shoulders and judge others.

The creators of this ad should really be put under observation... can you say GLOBAL RECESSION? GEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! $1.5million is some fair cash and shouldn't be wasted. Cuz it was wasted.

Stevo, 22, gay and in a happy, stable relationship.

Ps. Someone mentioned that its sad how these people give a bad name to christians all over the world who interpret the bible for themselves. The above comment is not directed at you. God bless you for seeing the true purpose behind His words. Real christians spread love, not stand in the way of it. Your part in spreading the miracle of love is appreciated. Perhaps we as people from ALL creeds who have love in our lives and celebrate it should stand together to show non-believers what the good stuff is made of. Who's with me ?
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by tayon April 9, 2009 7:04 PM EDT
WOW what a waste of all that money.Everybody hates America an America hates it own self ,no wonder we are no longer leaders,and if this is freedom. then we are surely doomed.pretty soon all our enemies will have to do is sit back an watch us kill each other off with our own hateful ways toward each other
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by lingski April 9, 2009 1:39 PM EDT
This is as outrageous as it gets. This money could have been spent on education, but as it is, the proponets of this ad are mired in ignorance.
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by iam4honesty April 9, 2009 10:01 AM EDT
Personally... I'll never get married again. From now on I'm just going to find someone I don't like and buy them a house.
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by PaulMinnow2 April 9, 2009 8:14 AM EDT
Please don't group all religious people in as a bunch of unthinking nuts that blindly follow their leaders and use their religion as their shield to be bigots. There are many religious people who interpret what different texts mean on their own and are all for inclusive policies like gay marriage. There are definitely some religious groups that lend to the idea of "religion kills a thinking brain", but NOT ALL of them. Some of us do think for our selves and are not overly pious while still hating entire groups of people. We may not be nearly as vocal as the LOUD voices of religion, but we are many and hate the name that the LOUD voices give us all.
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by sabre1111 April 9, 2009 7:30 AM EDT
Once gay marriage becomes legal in all 50 states, we're going to have to let -anyone- marry whoever or however many humans they desire.
-------------------------
Posted by snarkysnark


Don't talk stupidly.

If you're 18, you can marry any other 18 and older person you want, its none of our business.
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by sabre1111 April 9, 2009 7:27 AM EDT
"There's a storm gathering," one woman says as the spot opens. Says another woman: "I am afraid."

Hilarious. What's more likely? A gay person getting a gun and shooting straight people? Or one of these bigot nutbags grabbing their guns and finding themselves some gay people to hunt? And they say THEY are afraid? If I was gay, I would be very nervous about the hate these people spew.


"As evidence, Brown pointed to the fact that Catholic charities in Massachusetts stopped handling adoptions after legislation passed in the state outlawing discrimination against gays and lesbians who want to adopt."

And it's gay people's fault that these adoption agencies are fearful bigots? Sort of like saying its black peolpe's fault because a restaurant stopped offering bathroom service since black people are allowed to share the facilities with whites. Sad.
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt April 9, 2009 4:43 AM EDT
....a controversial new ad that suggests opponents of same-sex marriage are now being victimized for their beliefs.
------
How absurd is it that bigots don't want to be seen as such?

If the shoe fits........
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by Snowhare April 9, 2009 4:18 AM EDT
OK! One last comment from me for the sake of being balanced:
There is exactly ONE point in the ad that is in some way valid.
Therefore I think gays could agree that when gay marriage is allowed, it should not be mandatory for church-bound organizations working for adoptions to perform this service for gays as well - provided there are other organizations who DO offer that service for gays.

And I agree that schools should refrain from evaluating gay marriage. This should be up to the families. However, since many of the extreme anti-gay people are on the evangelical side, I would like to make a deal: you stop demanding the Genesis being taught in biology lessons and no one will bother your children with pro-gay-marriage talk at school.

That a deal?
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by Cxa44 April 9, 2009 3:43 AM EDT
That money could have been better spent if it was used to feed the poor.
Posted by seezero1 at 11:33 PM : Apr 8, 2009

Talk about money being wasted? This 1.5 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what the ****-sexual Mafia has spent placing ads, buying off politicians and judges. A DROP IN THE BUCKET!
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by DefendLiberty April 9, 2009 3:19 AM EDT
we have the right to demand that our children not be taught that same sex marriage is good.
Posted by jediservant at 8:33 AM : Apr 8, 2009
----

These are the same people who demanded that people be taught that "blacks are lazy and shifty and not capable of thinking for themselves". These "Christians" are the same people who demanded that Chinese be treated as indentured slaves who "were inscrutable and evil".

y\Yes, bigotry has always been wrapped in words that sound high-minded, but amount to NO MORE than BIGOTRY, HATE, and IGNORANCE.

Crawl back into your caves (fundie churches or whatever), because the dark ages are OVER and you have to live in a world where your FEAR of "different" people cannot be used to crush their LIBERTIES.

You live your lives like you want. Hide in your backwoods and pretend that your God hates people who are different if it makes YOU feel better about the weakenss in your soul that exposes your hate and bgotry.
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by DefendLiberty April 9, 2009 3:09 AM EDT
Bigotry is bigotry. Dress it up in a pretty advertisement and it is still bigotry. t\The only damage to the people who are afraid of or hate gays is to their fear. Gay bigots will go down in history like bigots against Chinese, blacks, Itialians, Germans, Jews, and everyone else who was hated by narrow minded morons with only fear and hate in their hearts.
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