Cleansing Fire

Defending Truth and Tradition in the Roman Catholic Church

SSM and the future of New York State

July 9th, 2011, Promulgated by Mike

Since same-sex ‘marriage’ is now the law in New York State, it seems reasonable to ask: What will be the consequences for our future?

In other words, will there be collateral damage and, if so, what form might it take?

I am certainly not a prophet but I do believe it’s possible to get an idea of what might be in store for us by taking a look at what has already happened in other states that have gone down the SSM path ahead of us.

One of these states is Massachusetts, which had SSM shoved down its throat by judicial fiat in November, 2003.

According to one source, within a month of the court decision one high school held a school-wide celebratory assembly …

It featured an array of speakers, including teachers at the school who announced that they would be “marrying” their same-sex partners and starting families either through adoption or artificial insemination. Literature on same-sex marriage – how it is now a normal part of society – was handed out to the students.

By the next academic year the topic of homosexual sex was in the middle schools …

In September, 2004, an 8th grade teacher in Brookline, MA, told National Public Radio that the marriage ruling had opened up the floodgates for teaching homosexuality. “In my mind, I know that, `OK, this is legal now.’ If somebody wants to challenge me, I’ll say, `Give me a break. It’s legal now,’” she told NPR. She added that she now discusses gay sex with her students as explicitly as she desires. For example, she said [the remainder of this sentence is too explicit to reprint here.]

… and the year after that it was part of the elementary school curriculum.

Second graders … were read a book, “King and King”, about two men who have a romance and marry each other, with a picture of them kissing. When parents … complained, they were told that the school had no obligation to notify them or allow them to opt-out their child.

When parents filed a federal Civil Rights lawsuit demanding prior notification of when homosexual subjects were to be taught and the right to have their children opt-out from being exposed to such material,

… federal judges dismissed the case. The judges ruled that because same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, the school actually had a duty to normalize homosexual relationships to children, and that schools have no obligation to notify parents or let them opt-out their children! Acceptance of homosexuality had become a matter of good citizenship!

Public health has also come under attack …

The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is “married” to another man. In 2007 he told a crowd of kids at a state-sponsored youth event that it’s “wonderful being gay” and he wants to make sure there’s enough HIV testing available for all of them.

Since homosexual marriage became “legal” the rates of HIV / AIDS have gone up considerably in Massachusetts. [In 2008] public funding to deal with HIV/AIDS [rose] by $500,000. As the homosexual lobby group MassEquality wrote to their supporters after successfully persuading the Legislature to spend that money: “With the rate of HIV infections rising dramatically in Massachusetts, it’s clear the fight against AIDS is far from over.”

… and homosexual domestic violence is on the rise.

Given the extreme dysfunctional nature of homosexual relationships, the Massachusetts Legislature has felt the need to spend more money every year to deal with skyrocketing homosexual domestic violence. [In 2008] $350,000 was budgeted, up $100,000 from [the previous year].

In the business world …

The wedding industry is required serve the homosexual community if requested. Wedding photographers, halls, caterers, etc., must do same-sex marriages or be arrested for discrimination.

Businesses are often “tested” for tolerance by homosexual activists. Groups of homosexual activists often go into restaurants or bars and publicly kiss and fondle each other to test whether the establishment demonstrates sufficient “equality” — now that homosexual marriage is “legal”.  In fact, more and more overt displays of homosexual affection are seen in public places across the state to reinforce “marriage equality”.

There were also repercussions for religious organizations …

Homosexual “married” couples can now demand to be able to adopt children the same as normal couples. Catholic Charities decided to abandon handling adoptions rather submit to regulations requiring them  to allow homosexuals to adopt the children in their care.

There is a lot more to the Massachusetts story here.

Will these or similar scenarios play out in New York State?  I think only a fool would bet against it.

Tags:

|

21 Responses to “SSM and the future of New York State”

  1. Louis E. says:

    The “King and King” book dates to 2002 and has aroused controversy all over.I certainly wouldn’t let it near a child of mine.

    As I noted on another post here,a constitutional convention is probably the best way to erase SSM from the New York laws.

  2. Scott W, says:

    Another ramification: There has always been low-key hostility to homeschooling. I would expect this to be ramped up in the form of overburdensome regulation or flat-out denial for parents watnted to opt out of schools that have given themselves over to depravity.

  3. Bruce says:

    Homosexualists often point toward Mass. lower divorce rate, but always forget to point out that marriages have also declined and cohabitation has sky-rocketed. The same is true in the Netherlands.

  4. I know all too well about public schools not informing parents about their sex education in advance, even when requested. My children attended parochial school for their elementary school years. One remained in the Catholic School System and the other went into the Public School System, attending a Public Middle School. My spouse and I met with his teachers and advisers and relayed our Catholic Christian values. We requested that we receive prior notice of any sex education that would be taught and allowed to view the content to see if it met with our approval. We reserved the right to withdraw him from that time period if the content did not meet with our approval. We were told verbally that they would be complying to our terms.

    Not only did they not agree to our terms, they punished my son for not participating in a skit which they had designed. We were notified and asked to come in to talk to this teacher who had issues with my son. When we met with this teacher, she informed us that they were putting on a play dealing with sex education issues and parts were assigned to students to role play different situations. My son was assigned a role to talk a girl into sexual intercourse. The lines were “strong, suggestive language” to be played assertively. My son was very small and young for his age, very sensitive, and somewhat shy especially among girls. He also had a Catholic education and strong Christian family values. She told us that he refused to say those lines because in his own words, she was asking him “to play the devil.” He was reprimanded for not participating and given punishment, at the very least, “time out.”

    We were upset that he was given punishment for not role playing that part and not saying those lines to a girl. We told her we were upset to begin with, that we were not informed of the sex education taking place ahead of time as she and others had been informed and agreed to our terms. She just stared at us and continued on in her complaint against our son and the defense for her agenda. When I commented on the role he was asked to play, she thought there was no excuse for him not playing it. She told us that although we thought our son was young, this was the age in school when students begin having sexual intercourse (7th grade) and need sex education to help prevent teen pregnancy (and venereal diseases, hepatitis, HIV-AIDS). She implied that we all needed to get with the program. We insisted that he should have not been forced to play that role and were upset that he was punished for refusing to get up in front of an assembly to act that way and say those words to a girl. The teacher had no remorse that she had not contacted us prior, and also did not have any concerns that what was being taught might be contrary to our belief system. (We firmly insisted again, that no more sex education be taught without our prior knowledge, that we had the right to remove him from a session, and that he should not be punished for refusing to participate).

    My father and other family members, were upset when hearing my son was punished for not playing that part, saying those lines and acting that way toward a girl. Family, relatives, and friends both Catholic and Protestant were very upset with that situation and how my son was treated. My son shared with me his thoughts about the lines and actions he was supposed to perform in regard to a girl and I was thankful that I had such a son with high moral character. (The other child also displayed high moral character).
    Now with SSM, students may now be asked to role play the part of a homosexual trying to engage in sex with someone of the same sex, or a homosexual girlfriend or boyfriend in addition to the heterosexual roles already being assigned in 7th grade in Public School. They might even step it up to 5th or 6th grade.

  5. JLo says:

    Christian 1954, your story makes me cry. We are in for some very hard times. May God give us the strength we need and inspire in us the right actions and reactions. More importantly, may we all be praying for those graces! +JMJ

  6. JLo: Thank you for your response and words. I agree with your words – “May God give us the strength we need and inspire in us the right actions and reactions. More importantly, may we all be praying for those graces!
    We need to pray for all the children who will be exposed to so much falsehood in regard to sexual roles and sex education, particularly in a Public School setting. It may be “our children” who will be called on to be a Christian martyr in standing up for their own convictions in the Faith. Yes, may we all be praying for those graces!

  7. MichaelL says:

    Folks. The National Organization for Marriage is launching a campaign in New York:
    Let the People Vote!
    They will be holding rallies on Sunday, July 24.

  8. Giovanni says:

    @ Christian1954… that story is sad. It’s hard enough being in school with just your peers… in addition to have an abusive, bullying teacher is surely no help… :/

  9. Sassy says:

    Michael, thanks for the heads-up on the NOM rally in NYC on July 24. I plan on bearing witness to the faith and invoking St. Christopher for his help (July 24 is his feast day, and he’s being honored at a local shrine).

  10. Thanks Giovanni for your words of support-I agree.
    “The other child also displayed high moral character.”-Those lines were in reference to my other son who remained in the Catholic School System after parochial elementary school. This son, while in elementary school, tried to defend another boy who was the constant target of bullying after lunch, in the parking lot where they were asked to go everyday before classes began. Most of the boys in the same grade beat on this boy on a regular basis-so this boy got beaten up regularly at a Catholic school! My son was very concerned for his boy and tried to get action to stop this without success. One day, when the gang beating started and seemed the worse, my son interjected himself and shielded this boy, taking upon himself all the beating.
    I promptly went into the school the next day after he came home in that condition and explained what had happened. I relayed how concerned my son was about that boy who was constantly beaten up and had tied to get it to stop without success, and now had used himself as a human shield, taking upon himself the beating. I questioned why there were no adults watching the students in the parking lot after lunch. I also said that I had concerns for this boy who was beaten regularly and wanted it to stop.

    My son’s teacher addressed the boys who had beaten this boy regularly in general class discussion and told them that they were like the soldiers who beaten and mistreated Jesus. This boy’s parents sometime after this last incident, withdrew their son from the Catholic School. I had my son give names of the instigators to the principal.

    Afterward, my son was upset because only a few of the boys were asked to leave the school, but the top ones, and particularly one, who was the top instigator, ring leader, and troublemaker, who continued to cause trouble for other students, were still there.
    When I informed the principal of this, she tried to “shrug it off.” After finding out more details about the families of the students who were not asked t leave, and particularly the one ring leader, I surmised that being affluent had something to do with it.

    At various times throughout my sons’ school years, occasions arose when they were not given fair treatment by a teacher, and even punished for doing the right thing. I told my children at these times, without underestimating the authority of a teacher or administrator, that various times adults will not always act fairly or correctly, but the most important thing is how we stand in view of Jesus. I gave them an example of my elementary school years.

    When I was in third grade, there was a girl in another classroom who had physical and health issues. She was extremely small for her age and she was also very weak. I found out that she had cardiac problems. This little girl always seemed to be alone and struggling to get through the school day. For some reason, the teachers in general were not nice to her and actually appeared mean and unyielding. My sister and I were nice to her and talked to her when we saw her. We both helped her carry her books into school and up to her classroom.
    One day I was sent on an errand from my classroom, to return back directly, when I encountered this little girl alone, struggling with her books. She was practically in tears because they were too heavy for her to lift and she was quite weak. School was already in session and she had not made into her classroom for the day yet. I carried her books to her classroom for her. When I returned, my teacher was furious that I had not returned directly after my errand. I explained that this little girl who was very weak was not able to carry her books to her classroom, so I helped her. The teacher didn’t care. I was given strict punishment.

    It was probably within the next year that we learned that this little girl had died from her cardiac condition. She had a heart attack while on a swing. We had a school assembly to honor her where they played her favorite song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I told my sons that I could sit there knowing that I had been nice to her and had helped her in her time of need, even if I was punished.

  11. Thanks Giovanni for your words of support-I agree.
    “The other child also displayed high moral character.”-Those lines were in reference to my other son who remained in the Catholic School System after parochial elementary school. This son, while in elementary school, tried to defend another boy who was the constant target of bullying after lunch, in the parking lot where they were asked to go everyday before classes began again. Most of the boys in the same grade beat on this boy on a regular basis-so this boy got beaten up regularly at a Catholic school! My son was very concerned for this boy and tried to get action to stop this without success. One day, when the gang beating started and seemed the worse, my son interjected himself and shielded this boy, taking upon himself all the beating.
    I promptly went into the school the next day after he came home in that condition and explained what had happened. I relayed how concerned my son was about that boy who was constantly beaten up and had tried to get it to stop without success, and now had used himself as a human shield, taking upon himself the beating. I questioned why there were no adults watching the students in the parking lot after lunch. I also said that I had concerns for this boy who was beaten regularly and wanted it to stop.

    My son’s teacher addressed the boys who had beaten this boy regularly in general class discussion and told them that they were like the soldiers who beaten and mistreated Jesus. This boy’s parents sometime after this last incident, withdrew their son from the Catholic School. I had my son give names of the instigators to the principal.

    Afterward, my son was upset because only a few of the boys were asked to leave the school, but the top ones, and particularly one, who was the top instigator and ring leader, were still there. The top instigator was continuing to cause trouble for other students.
    When I informed the principal of this, she tried to “shrug it off.” After finding out more details about the families of the students who were not asked t leave, and particularly the one ring leader, I surmised that being affluent had something to do with it.

    At various times throughout my sons’ school years, occasions arose when they were not given fair treatment by a teacher, and even punished for doing the right thing. I told my children at these times, without underestimating the authority of a teacher or administrator, that various times adults will not always act fairly or correctly, but the most important thing is how we stand in view of Jesus. I gave them an example of my elementary school years.

    When I was in third grade, there was a girl in another classroom who had physical and health issues. She was extremely small for her age and she was also very weak. I found out that she had cardiac problems. This little girl always seemed to be alone and struggling to get through the school day. For some reason, the teachers in general were not nice to her and actually appeared mean and unyielding. My sister and I were nice to her and talked to her when we saw her. We both helped her carry her books into school and up to her classroom.
    One day I was sent on an errand from my classroom, to return back directly, when I encountered this little girl alone, struggling with her books. She was practically in tears because they were too heavy for her to lift and she was quite weak. School was already in session and she had not made into her classroom for the day yet. I carried her books to her classroom for her. When I returned, my teacher was furious that I had not returned directly after my errand. I explained that this little girl who was very weak was not able to carry her books to her classroom, so I helped her. The teacher didn’t care. I was given strict punishment.

    It was probably within the next year that we learned that this little girl had died from her cardiac condition. She had a heart attack while on a swing. We had a school assembly to honor her where they played her favorite song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I told my sons that I could sit there knowing that I had been nice to her and had helped her in her time of need, even if I was punished.

  12. StillCatholic says:

    I think that it’s important to celebrate that little Christian Choate, as sad as his story is, did not have two gay parents who would have loved and celebrated his life. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, at least his parents were male and female, and same sex couples are the thing to fight.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/26/christian-choate-boy-who-_n_884731.html

  13. MichaelL says:

    @Christian 1954 – What a sad and touching story about the little girl with a cardiac condition. This is “loving God and loving thy neighbor”. I can picture her in heaven surrounded by angels. You don’t know how much it pleases God when we love one another.

  14. Giovanni says:

    @Christian1954. What a powerful witness story. You and your son certainly became the hands and feet of Christ! Your story is a great reminder of the suffering our Christian faith sometime leads us through… What great growth of character that suffering allows our souls to achieve! Cery moving thank you for sharing!

  15. Michael and Giovanni-Thank you for your responses.

    StillCatholic-Thank you for sharing the news story of Christian Choate. I feel so sad after reading of Christian Choate’s story of severe abuse and suffering by his parents, particularly his father, which ultimately led to his death. Reading the accounts of family dynamics and interactions, and the concealment of his death, I do not think he benefited from heterosexual parents. I do not think he benefited at all as his parents did not seem to have the loving, Christian concept of heterosexual love and their family did not have the loving, Christian concept of family unity. I know psychologists think there is some level of dysfunction in every family, even if it is small, but that family was dysfunctional with a capital D (Dysfunctional).
    God Bless Christian Choate. May he be experiencing the Love, Warmth, Peace, and Joy with the Heavenly Family which he could never experience with his Earthly Family, and may he be experiencing the Glory of God with all the angels and saints.
    As for me, I celebrate that there is a life beyond this life for little boys and girls like Christian. I also celebrate that there is a life beyond this life for all who depend on the saving Grace of God and endeavor to live each day for their Lord and Savior, empowered by His Love.

  16. Sassy says:

    Christian, thank you for your warm and insightful posts. A similar incident happened to us, and it was beautiful to see my son’s classmate tell the truth to the principal about a bully’s death threat made against my son (who has special needs). It’s those situations where I strive to do my best to raise an equally kind-hearted and brave child. God bless your children, as they are great role models. You should be so proud of them.

  17. Thank you Sassy for your comments. Yes, I am proud of both my sons.
    Both of my sons displayed sensitivity and valor in regard to their classmates, friends, and neighbors. ex.-the son who tried to get the bullying stopped against the one boy and used his own body as a child-could not get to sleep one Valentine’s Day because he did not have his class list and did not want to leave anyone out from his Valentines. I sat with him a considerable amount of time at the kitchen table, when he couldn’t sleep, going up rows of desks with students in his mind until he could figure out who was the student he didn’t write out a Valentine for. When he finally figured it out, he was relieved.He wrote that Valentine out and went to bed.That son was also chosen for the National Safety Patrol of his parochial school, a position he was devoted to and did not take lightly. He had Red Cross Training and additionally carried a First Aid Kit in his backpack, giving first aid to not only students,but also members of the faculty! ex.-the son who refused to play a questionable role for sex education with strong suggestive language-would use his own money which he earned or received as gifts to buy toys for not only family members and friends, but for children around the neighborhood who didn’t have as much.I had nothing to do with his choosing or providing money. He picked out gifts from a Christmas special shop for students in his parochial school. He spent much time picking out each gift to fit each individual.Both sons joyfully did volunteer work, including visiting patients in a nursing home, and at Christmastime, a hospital.

    God Bless You Sassy and Your Son! I applaud you in your endeavor to raise a kind-hearted and brave son. I do not know the extent of the special needs of your son, but some suggestions, if possible, are to make cards for shut-ins in your parish, whether they are at home or in a nursing home or long-term facility. You do not know what joy people who are shut-ins receive with such a precious gift of remembrance from a child. Tissue paper flowers are also a nice project which brighten the day for a shut-in. If your child can sing, and likes to sing, you could help organize Christmas caroling with other children from your parish with adult supervision, to nursing homes or long-term facilities. Projects such as these emphasize service to others and also give happiness and dignity to the children. Children in general, are not always thought of as being able to serve others but nothing could be farther from the truth. Also praying for others is a great act of service. Even if one can only wait and pray, they are still serving-Prayer Warrior.

    I have full confidence that you are raising a son which you can be proud of.

  18. Nerina says:

    StillCatholic,

    The story of Christian Choate is absolutely, unequivocally disgusting. I am literally sick to my stomach having read it. That said, for every case of heterosexual parent abuse revealed there are others involving homosexual couples (see here for one horrifying example: http://articles.cnn.com/2009-06-30/justice/duke.molestation.internet_1_child-sex-abuse-charges-internet-chat-documents?_s=PM:CRIME). The objection to homosexual marriage is that it fundamentally redefines an institution that has existed for thousands of years and further erodes it. It also threatens the religious beliefs and practices of those who don’t agree with the homosexual agenda (as seen in Mike’s examples listed above).

    I am not saying that homosexual couples are incapable of providing a stable, loving home as they see it. But even looking at the concept of monogamy among homosexuals reveals some interesting findings. For example, it is very common for gay couples to allow for extra-relationship sexual activity. Even in the most generous studies, only 50% of gay men adhere to monogamy as traditionally understood. In most studies, monogamy is quite rare. I was shocked to learn in one Dutch study (from 2003), 83% of men in a “relationship” had, on average, 8 partners a year outside of the relationship. My point in looking at monogamy is to wonder how this lack of stability effects children being raised in this environment. And, of course, as Catholics, we believe that children have a right to a mom and a dad.

  19. Nerina: I agree with your comments. I was just conveying to Still Catholic that Christian Choate’s parents didn’t qualify as “Mom” and “Dad.” His parents, especially the father, disgrace the title of “Mom” and “Dad.” When Father’s Day roles around, that’s not the kind of dad that one envisions paying tribute to. Every child does not have a right to that kind of mom and dad.

  20. Nerina says:

    Every child does not have a right to that kind of mom and dad.

    Hi Christian,

    I agree. Mothers and fathers have a duty to be loving, responsible and stable parents. Clearly the “parents” of Christian Choate were none of these. Unfortunately, there are examples of horrific parenthood regardless of gender as a simple “Google” search will reveal. In the end, though, a family comprised of a loving and committed mother, father and children is the most stable unit over time.

Leave a Reply


Log in | Register

You must be logged in to post a comment.


-Return to main page-