lifesitenews--2020-08-26--Pro-life ‘Life Runners’ don’t let COVID keep them from taking 12 million steps to end abortion

KANSAS CITY , Missouri , August 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – COVID restrictions did not stop groups of pro-life runners this year from traveling across the U.S. in an estimated 12 million steps to bring awareness to the plight of preborn children targeted for abortion .
Four Life Runners ’ groups recently converged in Kansas City to mark the end of the “ A-Cross America Relay , ” which forms a cross over the United States to end abortion , “ the greatest intrinsic evil of all time ” Life Runners kicked off their annual A-Cross America Relay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups starting from the north ( Grand Forks , ND ) , south ( San Antonio , TX ) , east ( Brooklyn Bridge , NY ) , and west ( Golden Gate Bridge , CA ) coasts of the United States .
The groups covered 5,359 miles , walking or running across America , with some members even walking remotely .
On August 9 , the groups met in Kansas City , marking the end their relay for life .
The event was marked with mass said by Archbishop Naumann .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” jerseys as they travelled , sending a message of hope for women in crises and witnessing for the preborn .
Dr. Patrick Castle , the founder of Life Runners , told LifeSiteNews that there are three differences this year for the event , compared to other years .
Despite the pandemic , Life Runners decided not to cancel their annual relay .
“ There is a giant cloud of fear , ” Castle said , “ there ’ s the temptation , of course , to cancel the event.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be united with God ’ s reason and a call to boldness of faith , ” he continued .
“ We offset that fear and still brought that message of hope to the world.
” The second novelty this year was having benediction , an hour before the official end of the relay .
Fr .
Michael Voithofer , the founder and leader of Ablaze , a Catholic ministry , offered benediction and deliverance prayers at Overland Park Planned Parenthood , bringing “ the physical body of Jesus Christ for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Castle said they experienced the largest turnout yet for the finish line .
“ In the middle of a pandemic of fear , ” he said , “ we showed up and had the largest group ever at the finish line .
We had over 100 people that stepped out in faith and gathered in front of that abortion facility.
” As the groups walked across America , they were met with support by local Americans , according to Castle .
As the groups passed 57 abortion facilities , they paused in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him by one of the Life Runners .
Wearing the “ Remember the Unborn ” jersey , the Life Runner stopped to pray in front of an abortion center .
As she prayed , a young woman pulled into the center ’ s parking lot , but did not leave her car .
After smoking a cigarette , the woman left , only to circle the block and return .
As the Life Runner continued to pray , the woman , seemingly undecided , returned , only to leave again .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Runner continued to pray more fervently .
Finally , the woman left and did not return to the abortion business .
Soon after , another woman parked at the center .
She also left , not to return .
The Life Runner was overwhelmed with joy .
“ God is victorious , and He must have great plans for those two babies , ” the Life Runner said , according to Castle .
According to Castle , the pro-life movement has made enormous strides in protecting life in recent years .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion at 1.6 million abortions in the late 80s and early 90s in America and we ’ re now at 850,000 , so we ’ re about cut in half.
” He explained the pro-life movement is “ in the red zone ” and “ can see the end.
” “ It ’ s going to take just a little bit more , from the people of God , from the church .
It ’ s going to take a little something from everybody.
” In addition to the tremendous effort from pro-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress to Donald Trump , “ the greatest pro-life president ever.
” “ I believe this , ” he said referring to having Trump elected as president , “ is an answer of prayer .
God has used Trump no differently than he used Saul , who was renamed Paul.
” “ God has used Donald Trump as a pencil to write His story and to write the truth , ” Castle continued .
“ Praise God that Donald Trump and his free will has allowed God to use him as a pencil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much prayer.
” Castle said that while the Obama administration tried to “ destroy the family and pervert the truth , ” God has used Trump to “ further the cause of life ” and to “ proclaim truth to help untwist what the Obama administration did.
” “ Donald Trump has supported us and fought for us and given us confidence , ” Castle said .

'We made it through the fear of COVID...We offset that fear and still brought that message of hope to the world'
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, August 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – COVID restrictions did not stop groups of pro-life runners this year from traveling across the U.S. in an estimated 12 million steps to bring awareness to the plight of preborn children targeted for abortion.
Four Life Runners’ groups recently converged in Kansas City to mark the end of the “A-Cross America Relay,” which forms a cross over the United States to end abortion, “the greatest intrinsic evil of all time”
Life Runners kicked off their annual A-Cross America Relay on July 4, with four different groups starting from the north (Grand Forks, ND), south (San Antonio, TX), east (Brooklyn Bridge, NY), and west (Golden Gate Bridge, CA) coasts of the United States. The groups covered 5,359 miles, walking or running across America, with some members even walking remotely.
On August 9, the groups met in Kansas City, marking the end their relay for life. The event was marked with mass said by Archbishop Naumann. The group members wore “Remember the Unborn” jerseys as they travelled, sending a message of hope for women in crises and witnessing for the preborn.
Dr. Patrick Castle, the founder of Life Runners, told LifeSiteNews that there are three differences this year for the event, compared to other years.
Despite the pandemic, Life Runners decided not to cancel their annual relay. “There is a giant cloud of fear,” Castle said, “there’s the temptation, of course, to cancel the event.”
“We made it through the fear of COVID to be united with God’s reason and a call to boldness of faith,” he continued. “We offset that fear and still brought that message of hope to the world.”
The second novelty this year was having benediction, an hour before the official end of the relay. Fr. Michael Voithofer, the founder and leader of Ablaze, a Catholic ministry, offered benediction and deliverance prayers at Overland Park Planned Parenthood, bringing “the physical body of Jesus Christ for the first time to the finish line.”
Finally, Castle said they experienced the largest turnout yet for the finish line. “In the middle of a pandemic of fear,” he said, “we showed up and had the largest group ever at the finish line. We had over 100 people that stepped out in faith and gathered in front of that abortion facility.”
As the groups walked across America, they were met with support by local Americans, according to Castle. As the groups passed 57 abortion facilities, they paused in prayer. Castle recounted an incident related to him by one of the Life Runners.
Wearing the “Remember the Unborn” jersey, the Life Runner stopped to pray in front of an abortion center. As she prayed, a young woman pulled into the center’s parking lot, but did not leave her car. After smoking a cigarette, the woman left, only to circle the block and return.
As the Life Runner continued to pray, the woman, seemingly undecided, returned, only to leave again. This happened a third time, while the Life Runner continued to pray more fervently. Finally, the woman left and did not return to the abortion business.
Soon after, another woman parked at the center. She also left, not to return. The Life Runner was overwhelmed with joy. “God is victorious, and He must have great plans for those two babies,” the Life Runner said, according to Castle.
According to Castle, the pro-life movement has made enormous strides in protecting life in recent years. “We have moved from the peak of abortion at 1.6 million abortions in the late 80s and early 90s in America and we’re now at 850,000, so we’re about cut in half.”
He explained the pro-life movement is “in the red zone” and “can see the end.” “It’s going to take just a little bit more, from the people of God, from the church. It’s going to take a little something from everybody.”
In addition to the tremendous effort from pro-life groups, Castle attributes some of the progress to Donald Trump, “the greatest pro-life president ever.”
“I believe this,” he said referring to having Trump elected as president, “is an answer of prayer. God has used Trump no differently than he used Saul, who was renamed Paul.”
“God has used Donald Trump as a pencil to write His story and to write the truth,” Castle continued. “Praise God that Donald Trump and his free will has allowed God to use him as a pencil, and that is an answer to much prayer.”
Castle said that while the Obama administration tried to “destroy the family and pervert the truth,” God has used Trump to “further the cause of life” and to “proclaim truth to help untwist what the Obama administration did.”
“Donald Trump has supported us and fought for us and given us confidence,” Castle said.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-26--Jerry Falwell Jr. resigns as Liberty University president amid sex scandal

LYNCHBURG , Virginia , August 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Jerry Falwell , Jr. resigned as president and chancellor of Liberty University late Monday amid allegations of his and his wife ’ s involvement in an extramarital affair .
The Christian school issued a statement Tuesday that the board had accepted the resignation , ending confusion caused by Falwell on Monday after he first agreed to resign then changed his mind , several sources reported .
Falwell ’ s departure comes after a former business associate , 29-year-old Giancarlo Granda , alleged in a Reuters interview Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wife , Becki .
He said it began shortly after he met the couple in March 2012 while working as a white-uniformed attendant at one of the 11 pools of the luxurious and celebrity-stacked Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel .
Granda also alleged that Falwell would observe him and his wife as they engaged in sexual relations “ multiple times per year ” in hotels in Miami and New York and at the Falwells ’ Virginia home .
He “ showed Reuters emails , text messages and other evidence that he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the couple , ” the news agency reported .
For his part , Falwell admitted in a preemptive statement published exclusively in the Washington Examiner on Sunday that he knew about his wife ’ s affair but that it was short-lived , he was not involved , and he and his wife have forgiven each other .
Falwell , 58 , alleged that Granda became aggressive and tried to blackmail him and his wife , who have been married for 33 years and have three adult children , after they tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after the improper relationship had ended , this person continued to be aggressive with Becki and me in a variety of ways .
We finally decided that we had to further withdraw completely from him , which resulted in him stepping up his threats to share more outrageous and fabricated claims about us , ” Falwell said .
“ Eventually , he began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki and to deliberately embarrass my wife , family , and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email to the Washington Examiner that “ any allegation of extortion is falsely defamatory and belied by clear documentary evidence ” and “ reeks [ of ] desperation , ” and that “ the WHOLE truth will come out.
” A lawyer and real estate developer , Falwell took over as president of Liberty University after his famous conservative Christian father , who founded both the school and the Moral Majority movement , died in 2007 .
The school ’ s honor code states that “ sexual relations outside of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University.
” The university ’ s statement credits Falwell Jr. with transforming the campus into a world-class institution and overseeing “ more than $ 1 billion of ongoing or planned construction ” as well as increasing enrollment in residential and online programs to over 100,000 students .
Falwell is also “ broadly credited for bringing Liberty out of deep debt to its current financial strength , including a $ 1.59 billion endowment as of 2019 , ” reported Virginia Business .
Nevertheless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave August 7 after he posted a photo on Instagram of himself on a yacht with his midriff bare and pants unzipped , holding a cup of dark liquid and with his arm around his wife ’ s pregnant assistant , who also had her shorts half-unzipped .
He subsequently explained in a radio interview , “ She couldn ’ t get her pants zipped and I was like , trying to like — I had on a pair of jeans that I hadn ’ t worn in a long time .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up either and so I just put my belly out like hers.
” Falwell said “ it was all in good fun ” and that he “ apologized to everybody and I promised my kids I 'm going to try to be a good boy from here on out.
” Politico reported last week that the yacht belongs to NASCAR mogul Rick Hendrick , who owns a racing team that Liberty University sponsors each year to the tune of about $ 6 million .
Falwell was also denounced in June for tweeting what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the image of a mask on which was emblazoned the photo from Mr. Northam ’ s medical school yearbook of a man in black face and another in Ku Klux Klan robes.
” Falwell said this was intended to remind people of the pro-abortion governor ’ s “ racist past , ” but the incident led to some black employees and students to leave Liberty , CNN reported .
Falwell also came under fire in March for inviting students back to campus after spring break “ when most other colleges and universities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Virginia Business stated .
As for the Falwells ’ tangled history with the “ ambitious ” Granda , Virginia Business reported that in 2013 , a shell company , Alton Hostel LLC , bought a Miami Beach youth hostel for $ 4.65 million , with Falwell ’ s son Jerry “ Trey ” Falwell III listed as sole manager .
“ Granda managed the hostel , and Falwell III was given the money to purchase the property by his father , Falwell Jr , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell out with the Falwells in 2018 after he wanted to “ negotiate a buyout ” and cut ties with the couple .
He produced a text message to Falwell from this June in which he wrote : “ Since you ’ re okay with ruining my life , I am going to take the kamikaze route … It really is a shame because I wanted to reach a peaceful resolution and just move on with our lives but if conflict is what you want , then so be it.
” Falwell replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I will not be extorted .
I have always treated you fairly and been restrained in response to your threats because I did not wish to ruin your life .
Going forward , stop contacting me and my family.
” Corporate records show Granda has a current stake in the venture , Reuters reported .
But there may be more to the story than that .
The “ gay-friendly ” hostel became known as one “ of South Beach ’ s best budget party hostels , ” according to a 2019 New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Falwell ’ s surprise endorsement of now-President Donald Trump over Ted Cruz just before the 2016 Iowa caucuses .
Falwell ’ s staunch support is seen as critical in swinging the evangelical vote to Trump , and he remains one of the president ’ s most outspoken evangelical supporters .
Becki Falwell , 53 , also served on the advisory board of Women for Trump .
However , Falwell came under fire as the first well-known evangelical leader to endorse the thrice-married real estate tycoon , whom he met in 2012 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Apprentice ” reality show , visited the campus along with his then “ fixer , ” Michael Cohen .
According to the Times , Cohen — now serving his three-year sentence at home because of the coronavirus and in the news Tuesday for releasing an attack video on Trump — offered to help the Falwells in late 2015 deal with a pending lawsuit by Granda and his business associates , who argued they had been promised an ownership share in the hostel property , which also houses a liquor store and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Cohen had been recorded saying Falwell also asked him in 2015 for help in preventing the publication of racy “ personal ” photos , of the kind kept “ between husband and wife , ” that had fallen into the possession of an unidentified individual , and that Cohen intervened and assumed the photos were destroyed .
Two anonymous sources “ familiar with the matter ” told Reuters at that time that Cohen helped to persuade Falwell to back Trump just before the Iowa caucuses , and that this was unrelated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Carolina representative Mark Walker told Politico he spoke to a Liberty board member about the possibility of taking over as leader of the “ powerhouse ” evangelical school , Politico reported .
Walker , who is vice chair of the House Republican Conference and retiring from Congress this year , was among those calling earlier this month for Falwell to go , and denouncing his behavior “ appalling.
” His first focus now “ is for the Liberty University family to find healing , ” Walker said .
Former Liberty University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ thankful that the truth had come out ” and that the school could “ move on.
” “ The kind of things that have been revealed in the last couple of days are not things that happen in isolation , ” she told Anderson Cooper .
“ There have been red flags for a long time .
The kind of arrogance and authoritarian leadership that we experienced as faculty was really just a symptom of this lifestyle , in which he thought he could do anything and get away with it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerry Prevo will continue as acting president .
“ The university ’ s heartfelt prayers are with [ Falwell ] and his family as he steps away from his life ’ s work , ” it added .
Falwell has also asked for prayers .
“ The trauma of this experience has brought us to a very challenging point in our lives , but we are strong , our faith in Christ is greater than ever , ” he wrote in the Washington Examiner .
“ With His help and with those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate the impact of forgiveness , we will get through this .
We ask for your prayers and support .
”

The evangelical leader is credited with transforming Liberty University into a world-class institution and overseeing 'more than $1 billion of ongoing or planned construction' as well as increasing enrollment in residential and online programs to over 100,000 students.
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, August 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Jerry Falwell, Jr. resigned as president and chancellor of Liberty University late Monday amid allegations of his and his wife’s involvement in an extramarital affair.
The Christian school issued a statement Tuesday that the board had accepted the resignation, ending confusion caused by Falwell on Monday after he first agreed to resign then changed his mind, several sources reported.
Falwell’s departure comes after a former business associate, 29-year-old Giancarlo Granda, alleged in a Reuters interview Monday that he had an eight-year affair with Falwell’s wife, Becki. He said it began shortly after he met the couple in March 2012 while working as a white-uniformed attendant at one of the 11 pools of the luxurious and celebrity-stacked Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.
Granda also alleged that Falwell would observe him and his wife as they engaged in sexual relations “multiple times per year” in hotels in Miami and New York and at the Falwells’ Virginia home. He “showed Reuters emails, text messages and other evidence that he says demonstrate the sexual nature of his relationship with the couple,” the news agency reported.
For his part, Falwell admitted in a preemptive statement published exclusively in the Washington Examiner on Sunday that he knew about his wife’s affair but that it was short-lived, he was not involved, and he and his wife have forgiven each other.
Falwell, 58, alleged that Granda became aggressive and tried to blackmail him and his wife, who have been married for 33 years and have three adult children, after they tried to distance themselves from him.
“Even years after the improper relationship had ended, this person continued to be aggressive with Becki and me in a variety of ways. We finally decided that we had to further withdraw completely from him, which resulted in him stepping up his threats to share more outrageous and fabricated claims about us,” Falwell said.
“Eventually, he began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki and to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies,” he added.
Granda countered in an email to the Washington Examiner that “any allegation of extortion is falsely defamatory and belied by clear documentary evidence” and “reeks [of] desperation,” and that “the WHOLE truth will come out.”
Falwell’s raunchy photo and anti-Northam tweet
A lawyer and real estate developer, Falwell took over as president of Liberty University after his famous conservative Christian father, who founded both the school and the Moral Majority movement, died in 2007.
The school’s honor code states that “sexual relations outside of a biblically ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University.”
The university’s statement credits Falwell Jr. with transforming the campus into a world-class institution and overseeing “more than $1 billion of ongoing or planned construction” as well as increasing enrollment in residential and online programs to over 100,000 students.
Falwell is also “broadly credited for bringing Liberty out of deep debt to its current financial strength, including a $1.59 billion endowment as of 2019,” reported Virginia Business.
Nevertheless, the university board put Falwell on indefinite paid leave August 7 after he posted a photo on Instagram of himself on a yacht with his midriff bare and pants unzipped, holding a cup of dark liquid and with his arm around his wife’s pregnant assistant, who also had her shorts half-unzipped.
He subsequently explained in a radio interview, “She couldn’t get her pants zipped and I was like, trying to like — I had on a pair of jeans that I hadn’t worn in a long time. So I couldn’t get my zipper up either and so I just put my belly out like hers.”
Falwell said “it was all in good fun” and that he “apologized to everybody and I promised my kids I'm going to try to be a good boy from here on out.”
Politico reported last week that the yacht belongs to NASCAR mogul Rick Hendrick, who owns a racing team that Liberty University sponsors each year to the tune of about $6 million.
Falwell was also denounced in June for tweeting what the New York Times described as “the image of a mask on which was emblazoned the photo from Mr. Northam’s medical school yearbook of a man in black face and another in Ku Klux Klan robes.”
Falwell said this was intended to remind people of the pro-abortion governor’s “racist past,” but the incident led to some black employees and students to leave Liberty, CNN reported.
Falwell also came under fire in March for inviting students back to campus after spring break “when most other colleges and universities were telling students to stay at home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Virginia Business stated.
Granda affair connected to Falwell’s support of Trump?
As for the Falwells’ tangled history with the “ambitious” Granda, Virginia Business reported that in 2013, a shell company, Alton Hostel LLC, bought a Miami Beach youth hostel for $4.65 million, with Falwell’s son Jerry “Trey” Falwell III listed as sole manager.
“Granda managed the hostel, and Falwell III was given the money to purchase the property by his father, Falwell Jr,” it stated.
Granda told Reuters that he fell out with the Falwells in 2018 after he wanted to “negotiate a buyout” and cut ties with the couple.
He produced a text message to Falwell from this June in which he wrote: “Since you’re okay with ruining my life, I am going to take the kamikaze route … It really is a shame because I wanted to reach a peaceful resolution and just move on with our lives but if conflict is what you want, then so be it.”
Falwell replied: “You should by now understand that I will not be extorted. I have always treated you fairly and been restrained in response to your threats because I did not wish to ruin your life. Going forward, stop contacting me and my family.”
Corporate records show Granda has a current stake in the venture, Reuters reported.
But there may be more to the story than that. The “gay-friendly” hostel became known as one “of South Beach’s best budget party hostels,” according to a 2019 New York Times story looking into the genesis of Falwell’s surprise endorsement of now-President Donald Trump over Ted Cruz just before the 2016 Iowa caucuses.
Falwell’s staunch support is seen as critical in swinging the evangelical vote to Trump, and he remains one of the president’s most outspoken evangelical supporters. Becki Falwell, 53, also served on the advisory board of Women for Trump.
However, Falwell came under fire as the first well-known evangelical leader to endorse the thrice-married real estate tycoon, whom he met in 2012 when Trump, then the star of “The Apprentice” reality show, visited the campus along with his then “fixer,” Michael Cohen.
According to the Times, Cohen — now serving his three-year sentence at home because of the coronavirus and in the news Tuesday for releasing an attack video on Trump — offered to help the Falwells in late 2015 deal with a pending lawsuit by Granda and his business associates, who argued they had been promised an ownership share in the hostel property, which also houses a liquor store and a restaurant.
Reuters also reported in 2019 that Cohen had been recorded saying Falwell also asked him in 2015 for help in preventing the publication of racy “personal” photos, of the kind kept “between husband and wife,” that had fallen into the possession of an unidentified individual, and that Cohen intervened and assumed the photos were destroyed.
Two anonymous sources “familiar with the matter” told Reuters at that time that Cohen helped to persuade Falwell to back Trump just before the Iowa caucuses, and that this was unrelated to the photo incident.
Rep. Mark Walker, retiring from Congress, may replace Falwell
With Falwell gone, South Carolina representative Mark Walker told Politico he spoke to a Liberty board member about the possibility of taking over as leader of the “powerhouse” evangelical school, Politico reported.
Walker, who is vice chair of the House Republican Conference and retiring from Congress this year, was among those calling earlier this month for Falwell to go, and denouncing his behavior “appalling.”
His first focus now “is for the Liberty University family to find healing,” Walker said.
Former Liberty University professor Karen Swallow Prior told CNN she is “thankful that the truth had come out” and that the school could “move on.”
“The kind of things that have been revealed in the last couple of days are not things that happen in isolation,” she told Anderson Cooper.
“There have been red flags for a long time. The kind of arrogance and authoritarian leadership that we experienced as faculty was really just a symptom of this lifestyle, in which he thought he could do anything and get away with it.”
Liberty stated Tuesday that board member Jerry Prevo will continue as acting president.
“The university’s heartfelt prayers are with [Falwell] and his family as he steps away from his life’s work,” it added.
Falwell has also asked for prayers.
“The trauma of this experience has brought us to a very challenging point in our lives, but we are strong, our faith in Christ is greater than ever,” he wrote in the Washington Examiner.
“With His help and with those in the community who we love and who appreciate the impact of forgiveness, we will get through this. We ask for your prayers and support.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-08-26--States could fine or jail people for refusing COVID-19 vaccine: law prof

PETITION : No to government and corporate penalties for refusing COVID-19 vaccine !
Sign the petition here .
August 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Refusal to take an eventual COVID-19 vaccine could result in fines or even jail time in certain states , a health law expert reminded the public in a recent interview .
“ States can compel vaccinations in more or less intrusive ways , ” Professor Dov Fox , director of the Center for Health Law Policy and Bioethics at the University of San Diego , told ABC 10 in San Diego .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or jobs if people don ’ t get vaccinated .
They could force them to pay a fine or even lock them up in jail.
” This legal power has not often been exercised in the United States , he explained , but dates back to 1905 ’ s Jacobson v. Massachusetts , which upheld the constitutionality of fining people for refusal to vaccinate against smallpox .
Fox noted that possessing the legal power was not the only factor in deciding whether to wield it , however , as it could provoke a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask mandates .
“ Religious exemptions are not constitutionally required by the First Amendment ’ s Free Exercise clause , ” he added , “ provided that the vaccine mandates don ’ t single out religion ; they ’ re not motivated by a desire to interfere with it.
” It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court would agree .
Fox ’ s input comes as various state officials and academic institutions across the country have discussed mandating an eventual COVID-19 vaccine .
In Virginia , health commissioner Dr. Norman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though Democrat Gov .
Ralph Northam is not yet on board .
“ Fear of a disease -- which we know very little about , relative to other similar diseases -- must not lead to knee-jerk reactions regarding public health , nor can it justify supporting the hidden agenda of governmental as well as non-governmental bodies that have apparent conflicts of interest in plans to restrict personal freedoms , ” says LifeSiteNews ’ ongoing petition against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination , which has gathered more than 850,000 signatures .

The power for possible government action stems from a 1905 law tied to refusing vaccinations for smallpox.
PETITION: No to government and corporate penalties for refusing COVID-19 vaccine! Sign the petition here.
August 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Refusal to take an eventual COVID-19 vaccine could result in fines or even jail time in certain states, a health law expert reminded the public in a recent interview.
“States can compel vaccinations in more or less intrusive ways,” Professor Dov Fox, director of the Center for Health Law Policy and Bioethics at the University of San Diego, told ABC 10 in San Diego. “They can limit access to schools or services or jobs if people don’t get vaccinated. They could force them to pay a fine or even lock them up in jail.”
This legal power has not often been exercised in the United States, he explained, but dates back to 1905’s Jacobson v. Massachusetts, which upheld the constitutionality of fining people for refusal to vaccinate against smallpox. Fox noted that possessing the legal power was not the only factor in deciding whether to wield it, however, as it could provoke a similar backlash to the one sparked by mask mandates.
“Religious exemptions are not constitutionally required by the First Amendment’s Free Exercise clause,” he added, “provided that the vaccine mandates don’t single out religion; they’re not motivated by a desire to interfere with it.” It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court would agree.
Fox’s input comes as various state officials and academic institutions across the country have discussed mandating an eventual COVID-19 vaccine. In Virginia, health commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver recently advocated such a mandate, though Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam is not yet on board.
“Fear of a disease — which we know very little about, relative to other similar diseases — must not lead to knee-jerk reactions regarding public health, nor can it justify supporting the hidden agenda of governmental as well as non-governmental bodies that have apparent conflicts of interest in plans to restrict personal freedoms,” says LifeSiteNews’ ongoing petition against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, which has gathered more than 850,000 signatures.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-26--Yale investigates how to guilt-trip people into taking controversial COVID vaccine

August 26 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Yale University is currently conducting a study on the effectiveness of various messages in getting people to take an eventual COVID-19 vaccine , ranging from appeals to self-interest to pressuring individuals for their reluctance .
Launched in July , the study of 4,000 people tests ten different messages to “ compare the reported willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine at 3 and 6 months of it becoming available.
” The messages appeal to “ economic freedom , ” “ self-interest , ” “ community interest , ” “ economic benefit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ anger , ” “ trust in science ” and “ bravery.
” While several of the appeals are straightforward arguments , others hint at a willingness to use public shaming to elicit compliance .
One , for instance , “ asks the participant to imagine the guilt they will feel if they do n't get vaccinated and spread the disease , ” with variants exchanging guilt with anger or embarrassment .
Another suggests someone who refuses vaccination “ does n't understand how infections are spread or who ignores science.
” Another declares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get vaccinated against COVID-19 are not brave.
” The eventual findings will likely influence the messaging of state officials and academic institutions who have discussed mandating vaccination , as well as advertising campaigns surrounding a vaccine once it is completed .
“ Fear of a disease -- which we know very little about , relative to other similar diseases -- must not lead to knee-jerk reactions regarding public health , nor can it justify supporting the hidden agenda of governmental as well as non-governmental bodies that have apparent conflicts of interest in plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LifeSiteNews ’ ongoing petition against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination , which has gathered more than 850,000 signatures .

The study of 4,000 people tests ten different messages aimed at convincing people to get the COVID vaccine
PETITION: No to government and corporate penalties for refusing COVID-19 vaccine! Sign the petition here.
August 26, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Yale University is currently conducting a study on the effectiveness of various messages in getting people to take an eventual COVID-19 vaccine, ranging from appeals to self-interest to pressuring individuals for their reluctance.
Launched in July, the study of 4,000 people tests ten different messages to “compare the reported willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine at 3 and 6 months of it becoming available.” The messages appeal to “economic freedom,” “self-interest,” “community interest,” “economic benefit,” “guilt,” embarrassment,” “anger,” “trust in science” and “bravery.”
While several of the appeals are straightforward arguments, others hint at a willingness to use public shaming to elicit compliance.
One, for instance, “asks the participant to imagine the guilt they will feel if they don't get vaccinated and spread the disease,” with variants exchanging guilt with anger or embarrassment. Another suggests someone who refuses vaccination “doesn't understand how infections are spread or who ignores science.” Another declares that “those who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 are not brave.”
The eventual findings will likely influence the messaging of state officials and academic institutions who have discussed mandating vaccination, as well as advertising campaigns surrounding a vaccine once it is completed.
“Fear of a disease — which we know very little about, relative to other similar diseases — must not lead to knee-jerk reactions regarding public health, nor can it justify supporting the hidden agenda of governmental as well as non-governmental bodies that have apparent conflicts of interest in plans to restrict personal freedoms,” says LifeSiteNews’ ongoing petition against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, which has gathered more than 850,000 signatures.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-28--Facebook bans LifeSite petition against ‘mandatory mask mandates,’ then apologizes for ‘mistake’

PETITION : No to radical mandatory mask mandates !
Sign the petition here .
August 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Facebook censored a viral LifeSiteNews petition calling for the end of mandatory mask requirements in the United States .
The petition has neary 83,000 signatures .
Hundreds of users attempted to share the petition to their Facebook profiles only to be met with warning signs that it was “ abusive ” and “ in violation of community standards.
” After three days of email exchanges with Facebook seeking clarification on the matter , LifeSite director of marketing Rebekah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” had been made in blocking the petition and that users “ should now be able to post this link without any issues on our platform.
” “ Thank you again for flagging this for us , ” Facebook ’ s email read .
“ This was a mistake on our end and we apologize for the inconvenience and confusion this caused.
” While acknowledging the move could have been a result of Facebook taking tentative measures by simply blocking what others deemed offensive , Roberts says she has her doubts .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being marked as ‘ abusive.
’ Then it was considered in violation of community standards .
It seems to me that Facebook was totally fine with going along with whatever was reported to them without getting all the facts.
” “ Blatant censorship and suppression is happening not just on our stories but hundreds of other individuals and organizations are experiencing the exact same thing , ” Roberts continued .
“ I 'm excited for our ‘ Big Tech Censorship ’ series coming at the beginning of September — it will really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening right now.
” Dozens of concerned readers emailed LifeSite about the petition .
“ Thank you for your good work !
” one person said .
“ Please note that Facebook is censoring sharing this petition on mandatory masks through simply stating other users have reported the content as abusive !
” “ I fail to see that the content is abusive , ” they continued , “ unless the content does not line up with the agenda of those feeling ‘ abused , ’ which begs the question , how do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on feelings or facts ?
I thought the USA has put an end to social media platforms from being abusive in this way ?
” Another reader told LifeSite , “ It is perhaps time you and we all move from Facebook.
” This is not the first time one of the major tech companies ( Google , YouTube , Twitter , and Facebook ) blocked LifeSite on their platforms .
In February , a website designated by Facebook as an official “ fact-checker ” inaccurately labeled as “ false ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plans to provide assisted suicide to criminals .
Videos on LifeSite ’ s YouTube account have also been arbitrarily taken down over the past few years .
For additional evidence of other tech censorship of conservative and Christian voices , click this link .
To add your name to the petition demanding an end to mandatory mask requirements in the United States , click here .

Hundreds of users attempted to share the petition to their Facebook profiles only to be met with warning signs that it was ‘abusive.’
PETITION: No to radical mandatory mask mandates! Sign the petition here.
August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Facebook censored a viral LifeSiteNews petition calling for the end of mandatory mask requirements in the United States. The petition has nearly 83,000 signatures.
Hundreds of users attempted to share the petition to their Facebook profiles only to be met with warning signs that it was “abusive” and “in violation of community standards.”
After three days of email exchanges with Facebook seeking clarification on the matter, LifeSite director of marketing Rebekah Roberts was told that “a mistake” had been made in blocking the petition and that users “should now be able to post this link without any issues on our platform.”
“Thank you again for flagging this for us,” Facebook’s email read. “This was a mistake on our end and we apologize for the inconvenience and confusion this caused.”
While acknowledging the move could have been a result of Facebook taking tentative measures by simply blocking what others deemed offensive, Roberts says she has her doubts.
“For several days this story was banned for being marked as ‘abusive.’ Then it was considered in violation of community standards. It seems to me that Facebook was totally fine with going along with whatever was reported to them without getting all the facts.”
“Blatant censorship and suppression is happening not just on our stories but hundreds of other individuals and organizations are experiencing the exact same thing,” Roberts continued. “I'm excited for our ‘Big Tech Censorship’ series coming at the beginning of September — it will really show everyone the extent of the censorship happening right now.”
Dozens of concerned readers emailed LifeSite about the petition.
“Thank you for your good work!” one person said. “Please note that Facebook is censoring sharing this petition on mandatory masks through simply stating other users have reported the content as abusive!”
“I fail to see that the content is abusive,” they continued, “unless the content does not line up with the agenda of those feeling ‘abused,’ which begs the question, how do we determine what is abusive per definition, based on feelings or facts? I thought the USA has put an end to social media platforms from being abusive in this way?”
Another reader told LifeSite, “It is perhaps time you and we all move from Facebook.”
This is not the first time one of the major tech companies (Google, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook) blocked LifeSite on their platforms.
In February, a website designated by Facebook as an official “fact-checker” inaccurately labeled as “false” a LifeSiteNews report about the Swiss government’s plans to provide assisted suicide to criminals.
Videos on LifeSite’s YouTube account have also been arbitrarily taken down over the past few years.
For additional evidence of other tech censorship of conservative and Christian voices, click this link. To add your name to the petition demanding an end to mandatory mask requirements in the United States, click here.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--Gendercide: Selection of unborn girls for destruction continues in pro-abortion India

August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The abortion industry continues to be a devastating tool of gendercide resulting in the destruction of millions of baby girls worldwide .
According to a report in The Guardian this week , there will be an estimated 6.8 million “ fewer female births ” recorded across India by 2030 .
Researchers believe that this is due to the widespread use of sex-selection abortion .
According to The Guardian : Academics from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia projected the sex ratio at birth in 29 Indian states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population , taking into account each state ’ s desired sex ratio at birth and the population ’ s fertility rates .
The cultural preference for a son was found to be highest in 17 states in the north of the country , with the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh showing the highest deficit in female births .
Researchers predict that the cumulative number of missing female births in the state would be 2 million between 2017 and 2030 .
The study was published in the journal Plos One and advocated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender equity and the introduction of support measures to counteract existing gender biases.
” While the Indian government banned the practice of determining the sex of pre-born children with the exception of medical necessity in 1994 with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act , researchers estimate that sex-selective abortion has resulted in 63 million fewer women being born since the tests first became popular fifty years ago .
In many places , the laws have not been enforced , and the skewed ratio of male to female births has grown starker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly arrest gangs who offer tests to pregnant women , often charging up to £400 .
The arrests usually follow a tipoff or the use of a pregnant woman as a decoy [ . ]
...
The government , voluntary organisations , the media and some Bollywood stars have all tried to alter these attitudes , and in some states government officials visit the homes where baby girls have been born to make a point of celebrating their arrival .
In Sikar , Saxena said the department was this week launching a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the family will be engraved on a nameplate and hung outside the house to show that she has as much importance as a boy .
Sikar had the worst child sex ratio of Rajasthan ’ s 33 districts , according to the 2011 census — 888 girls born per 1,000 boys .
Despite these measures , India has made no move toward criminalizing abortion itself .
Abortion has been legal since 1971 for the first twenty weeks of pregnancy for virtually any reason , and the abortion rate in India is staggeringly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmel Nisha Pius Franco , at least 300 million babies have been aborted since 1971 — and this figure is probably a low estimate .
“ Until 2017 there was no proper data on the total number of abortions performed in India , ” she told me .
“ The report published in Lancet Medical Journal estimated that 15.6 million abortions were performed in 2015 .
Prior to this data the government has been reporting that an average of 700,000 abortions were performed in India since 2000 but the government data did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pills like RU486 or abortions performed in private hospitals.
” One of the reasons for this , according to Franco , is that the abortion industry is big money in India .
“ India has been a hot spot for abortion providers since 1930s , when Margaret Sanger came to India to set up birth control clinics and returned to Mumbai again in the 1950s to establish IPPF with Dhanavanthi Rama Rau , ” she explained .
“ The total market for abortion pills alone in India is around Rs .
400 crore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a billion US dollars ) .
” The result of all of this is that baby girls are disproportionately likely to die in the carnage , and according to the U.N. Population Fund , between 1.2 and 1.5 pre-born girls are killed via sex-selective abortion ( with India and China making up more than 90 % of that number . )
A procedure trumpeted as a tool of female empowerment has become the primary method of destroying tiny females in unprecedented and horrifying numbers .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement .
In his latest episode , Jonathon interviews John O ’ Sullivan , a speechwriter for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s .
An author and conservative writer whose essays have been featured in National Review , O ’ Sullivan shares his thoughts on everything from international affairs and the future of conservatism to Brexit and Black Lives Matter .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

According to one new report, there will be an estimated 6.8 million 'fewer female births' recorded across India by 2030.
August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The abortion industry continues to be a devastating tool of gendercide resulting in the destruction of millions of baby girls worldwide. According to a report in The Guardian this week, there will be an estimated 6.8 million “fewer female births” recorded across India by 2030. Researchers believe that this is due to the widespread use of sex-selection abortion.
According to The Guardian:
Academics from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia projected the sex ratio at birth in 29 Indian states and union territories, covering almost the entire population, taking into account each state’s desired sex ratio at birth and the population’s fertility rates. The cultural preference for a son was found to be highest in 17 states in the north of the country, with the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh showing the highest deficit in female births. Researchers predict that the cumulative number of missing female births in the state would be 2 million between 2017 and 2030.
The study was published in the journal Plos One and advocated the introduction of policies that “advocate for gender equity and the introduction of support measures to counteract existing gender biases.” While the Indian government banned the practice of determining the sex of pre-born children with the exception of medical necessity in 1994 with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, researchers estimate that sex-selective abortion has resulted in 63 million fewer women being born since the tests first became popular fifty years ago. In many places, the laws have not been enforced, and the skewed ratio of male to female births has grown starker.
According to The Guardian:
Indian police regularly arrest gangs who offer tests to pregnant women, often charging up to £400. The arrests usually follow a tipoff or the use of a pregnant woman as a decoy[.] … The government, voluntary organisations, the media and some Bollywood stars have all tried to alter these attitudes, and in some states government officials visit the homes where baby girls have been born to make a point of celebrating their arrival. In Sikar, Saxena said the department was this week launching a new scheme where the name of the girl in the family will be engraved on a nameplate and hung outside the house to show that she has as much importance as a boy. Sikar had the worst child sex ratio of Rajasthan’s 33 districts, according to the 2011 census — 888 girls born per 1,000 boys.
Despite these measures, India has made no move toward criminalizing abortion itself. Abortion has been legal since 1971 for the first twenty weeks of pregnancy for virtually any reason, and the abortion rate in India is staggeringly high.
Follow Jonathon van Maren on Facebook
According to Indian pro-life activist Carmel Nisha Pius Franco, at least 300 million babies have been aborted since 1971 — and this figure is probably a low estimate. “Until 2017 there was no proper data on the total number of abortions performed in India,” she told me. “The report published in Lancet Medical Journal estimated that 15.6 million abortions were performed in 2015. Prior to this data the government has been reporting that an average of 700,000 abortions were performed in India since 2000 but the government data did not include abortions done outside government facility using pills like RU486 or abortions performed in private hospitals.”
One of the reasons for this, according to Franco, is that the abortion industry is big money in India. “India has been a hot spot for abortion providers since 1930s, when Margaret Sanger came to India to set up birth control clinics and returned to Mumbai again in the 1950s to establish IPPF with Dhanavanthi Rama Rau,” she explained. “The total market for abortion pills alone in India is around Rs. 400 crore (4,000,000,000,000 INR is equal to half a billion US dollars).”
The result of all of this is that baby girls are disproportionately likely to die in the carnage, and according to the U.N. Population Fund, between 1.2 and 1.5 pre-born girls are killed via sex-selective abortion (with India and China making up more than 90% of that number.) A procedure trumpeted as a tool of female empowerment has become the primary method of destroying tiny females in unprecedented and horrifying numbers.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, Jonathon interviews John O’Sullivan, a speechwriter for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. An author and conservative writer whose essays have been featured in National Review, O’Sullivan shares his thoughts on everything from international affairs and the future of conservatism to Brexit and Black Lives Matter. You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--German bishops propose redefining ‘fertility’ to include same-sex couples

BONN , Germany , August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The working document of the German bishops ’ “ synodal path ” to be voted on next month proposes to redefine marriage as only one among many other ways “ to live love and sexuality.
” An earlier working document , released last year , had made similar claims but was never put to a vote .
In one section , the four-page document states , “ The openness for the passing on of life is not decisive for each individual [ sexual ] act , but to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a binding and long-term partnership.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church , meanwhile , refers to the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI , teaching “ each and every marriage act must remain open ‘ per se ’ to the transmission of life.
” The Catechism adds , “ This particular doctrine , expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium , is based on the inseparable connection , established by God , which man on his own initiative may not break , between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Several passages of the document feature alternative proposals that are much better than what the main proposals indicate .
In this case , the alternative argues that “ although the different dimensions of sexuality always come into play differently , they can not be separated from each other .
Especially the mutual love and the openness for passing on life give the sexual act its actual inner meaning.
” Given the composition of the synodal path , it is unlikely for the alternative proposals to be adopted .
The document tries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include not just “ the openness to new life , ” but also “ a social and personal dimension.
” Accordingly , “ [ e ] ven same-sex couples and other couples who can not give birth to a new life have the potential for a fertile life.
” Additionally , basing itself on the principle that “ man ’ s dignity is inviolable , ” the drafters of the document “ regard personal self-determination ... lived in Christian freedom as the central principle of order for the shaping of human sexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say ‘ no ’ to unwanted sexual acts and ‘ yes ’ to a relationship with a self-chosen responsible partner.
” The document does not clarify that according to Catholic teaching , a man can choose only a woman , and vice versa , in marriage , “ for the shaping of human sexuality.
” Instead , it says , “ We see marriage as the preferred but not the only way to live love and sexuality in a relationship.
” Where the main proposal speaks of the potential for growth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include homosexual relationships , the alternative emphasizes that “ God ’ s revelation for human couple relationships provides for marriage and life in marital fidelity.
” “ We honor people ’ s different sexual orientations and gender identities as well as their long-term , faithful and exclusive couple relationships , ” the document adds , which is countered by the alternative proposal emphasizing that human beings are to be honored “ independently ” of their homosexuality or gender confusion , not because of it .
Should the main proposal be accepted , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Jesus ’ message of God ’ s love for all people , further develop the teaching and practice of the Church in dealing with human sexuality.
” Alternatively , the participants in the synodal path can vote for “ deepening ” the Church ’ s teaching instead of further developing it .
While the term “ development , ” especially in modern usage , is often meant to refer to “ change , ” the term “ deepening ” accepts Church teaching as it is and tries to understand and explain it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not comment on masturbation .
A passage on that particular action was part of the first working document for the synodal path last year , claiming that the “ joyful experience of one ’ s own body ( self sex ) can also mean a responsible approach to one ’ s own sexuality.
” In this case , the Catechism points out , “ ‘ Both the Magisterium of the Church , in the course of a constant tradition , and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intrinsically and gravely disordered action.
’ ‘ The deliberate use of the sexual faculty , for whatever reason , outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.
’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘ the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.
’ ” It is unclear why an explicit mention of masturbation was dropped .
However , the claim that not every sexual act has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in such a way as to include the use of contraception and masturbation .
The members of the synodal path , including all bishops and dozens of lay members named by the Central Committee of German Catholics and other organizations , are set to vote on the language of the document on sexuality on September 4 .

The 'synodal path's' working document to be voted on next month proposes that 'even same-sex couples and other couples who cannot give birth to a new life have the potential for a fertile life.'
BONN, Germany, August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The working document of the German bishops’ “synodal path” to be voted on next month proposes to redefine marriage as only one among many other ways “to live love and sexuality.” An earlier working document, released last year, had made similar claims but was never put to a vote.
In one section, the four-page document states, “The openness for the passing on of life is not decisive for each individual [sexual] act, but to be affirmed in the overall course of a binding and long-term partnership.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, meanwhile, refers to the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI, teaching “each and every marriage act must remain open ‘per se’ to the transmission of life.” The Catechism adds, “This particular doctrine, expounded on numerous occasions by the Magisterium, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act.”
Several passages of the document feature alternative proposals that are much better than what the main proposals indicate. In this case, the alternative argues that “although the different dimensions of sexuality always come into play differently, they cannot be separated from each other. Especially the mutual love and the openness for passing on life give the sexual act its actual inner meaning.”
Given the composition of the synodal path, it is unlikely for the alternative proposals to be adopted.
The document tries to redefine “the concept of fertility” to include not just “the openness to new life,” but also “a social and personal dimension.” Accordingly, “[e]ven same-sex couples and other couples who cannot give birth to a new life have the potential for a fertile life.”
Additionally, basing itself on the principle that “man’s dignity is inviolable,” the drafters of the document “regard personal self-determination … lived in Christian freedom as the central principle of order for the shaping of human sexuality. This means that people are allowed to say ‘no’ to unwanted sexual acts and ‘yes’ to a relationship with a self-chosen responsible partner.”
The document does not clarify that according to Catholic teaching, a man can choose only a woman, and vice versa, in marriage, “for the shaping of human sexuality.” Instead, it says, “We see marriage as the preferred but not the only way to live love and sexuality in a relationship.”
Where the main proposal speaks of the potential for growth in relationships of love, which appear to include homosexual relationships, the alternative emphasizes that “God’s revelation for human couple relationships provides for marriage and life in marital fidelity.”
“We honor people’s different sexual orientations and gender identities as well as their long-term, faithful and exclusive couple relationships,” the document adds, which is countered by the alternative proposal emphasizing that human beings are to be honored “independently” of their homosexuality or gender confusion, not because of it.
Should the main proposal be accepted, the synodal path will, “in fidelity to Jesus’ message of God’s love for all people, further develop the teaching and practice of the Church in dealing with human sexuality.”
Alternatively, the participants in the synodal path can vote for “deepening” the Church’s teaching instead of further developing it.
While the term “development,” especially in modern usage, is often meant to refer to “change,” the term “deepening” accepts Church teaching as it is and tries to understand and explain it better.
Notably, the document did not comment on masturbation. A passage on that particular action was part of the first working document for the synodal path last year, claiming that the “joyful experience of one’s own body (self sex) can also mean a responsible approach to one’s own sexuality.”
In this case, the Catechism points out, “‘Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.’ ‘The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.’”
It is unclear why an explicit mention of masturbation was dropped. However, the claim that not every sexual act has to be open to life could be interpreted in such a way as to include the use of contraception and masturbation.
The members of the synodal path, including all bishops and dozens of lay members named by the Central Committee of German Catholics and other organizations, are set to vote on the language of the document on sexuality on September 4.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--Liberals push new Conservative leader O’Toole to expel pro-life MP Sloan from caucus

OTTAWA , August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Canada ’ s Liberal Party is pressuring newly minted pro-abortion Conservative leader Erin O ’ Toole to kick pro-life M.P .
and former leadership candidate Derek Sloan out of the Conservative caucus .
Campaign Life Coalition , Canada ’ s national pro-life , pro-family political lobbying group , countered by launching a petition Friday asking O ’ Toole to put the rookie Ontario M.P .
and father of three in his shadow cabinet .
“ It ’ d be ludicrous to withhold a critic role from Derek — and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the group ’ s director of political operations .
O ’ Toole owes his victory to the “ enormous participation of social conservatives in the leadership race , ” whose votes , after Sloan and pro-life contestant Leslyn Lewis were eliminated , went to O ’ Toole on the third ballot , the Campaign Life petition points out .
Scarcely a day after the Conservatives declared Ontario M.P .
O ’ Toole leader early Monday morning , the Liberals attacked Sloan with a one-two punch .
On Tuesday morning , Liberal M.P @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Toole that if he didn ’ t expel Sloan , he would be condoning “ racism , misogyny and bigotry.
” The Liberals followed up Wednesday with a petition asking O ’ Toole , a pro-abortion , pro-LGBT “ rights ” Catholic , to turf Sloan from caucus .
The Liberal petition complained that during his leadership campaign , Sloan “ compared women ’ s rights to control their own bodies to ‘ slavery , ’ ” “ supported the cruel and discredited practice of anti-gay conversion therapy , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Chief Public Health Officer and accused her of working for China.
” Sloan fired back Friday in an email to supporters .
“ Arrogance , and a contempt for democracy , come naturally to Liberals , ” he said .
He characterized Damoff ’ s letter as “ a political attack designed to divide our Party under its new leadership ” made at “ the behest of her party ” who are “ afraid of a united Conservative Party.
” Sloan won 14 percent of the votes and 16 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which saw a record 175,000 ranked ballots submitted .
Global News described his accomplishment as “ bringing in only 14 percent of the vote , ” but Maclean ’ s political analyst Jason Markusoff painted a different picture .
He listed Sloan — and social conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis — as “ power players ” in the party and among the “ new cast of Tories to be reckoned with.
” Sloan ’ s “ 14 percent of points were good only for last place in 2020 , but that score would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social conservatives in the 2017 race , as well as the third-place candidate Erin O ’ Toole , ” Markusoff reminded readers .
“ His performance shows there is plenty of favour among the Conservative base for an aggressively right-wing social conservative .
He might not get a prominent critic ’ s portfolio in O ’ Toole ’ s benches , but he and his constituency can not be easily dismissed.
” Campaign Life , which supported Sloan and Lewis in the four-way contest , signed up 26,000-plus party members during the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social conservative vote would be critical in determining the next leader .
LifeSiteNews contacted O ’ Toole ’ s office for comment but did not hear back .
However , when talking to reporters Tuesday , the leader of the Official Opposition declined to say whether he would take the Liberals ’ advice on Sloan , Global News reported .
“ Derek and I had some very stark differences , we had some areas of overlap with our concern about the Communist Party of China , I didn ’ t agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of those concerns , but certainly within a pandemic , within the race we were in , a lot of things were said , ” O ’ Toole said .
“ We ’ re united now , we ’ re going to talk together as a caucus soon , ” he added .
Sloan said much the same to Global News .
“ We ’ re united on the need for a new government , we ’ re united on the need to reign [ sic ] the spending in under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be cautious against Communist China in some of their advances in bullying that we see on the national stage , ” he said .
Damoff took his comments out of context , Sloan added .
“ The comments that I made are on the public record , and if you look at them , they ’ re quite thoughtful and articulate , and obviously certain comments were taken out of context , but everything I ’ ve said has been out in the public view , and I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Toronto lawyer Lewis , who captured 20.5 percent of the vote on first ballot and is now seeking a seat in Parliament , told CBC that Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “ should worry about his own caucus ” and that “ Derek Sloan was elected and if ... his constituents feel that they no longer want him , it ’ s up to them to vote him out.
” Fonseca says appointing Sloan to the Tory shadow cabinet is a “ no-brainer ” for O ’ Toole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Derek demonstrated natural leadership skills in the campaign , an ability to communicate complex policy ideas to the masses in an accessible manner , and that he has a spine of steel no Liberal can break .
This is exactly the kind of thing future cabinet ministers should be made of , ” he told LifeSiteNews .
By doing so , O ’ Toole would send a “ much-needed message to social conservatives that they are a valued part of the O ’ Toole-led Conservative Party , something he promised repeatedly throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , O ’ Toole vowed to be “ a ruthless enemy of ‘ cancel culture ’ ” during his campaign , he added .
The Tory leader now has an opportunity to “ put his money where his mouth is ” by “ throwing cold water on this Liberal MP ’ s request to cancel Derek Sloan.
” To sign the Campaign Life petition , go here .
Rising political star Sloan urges Canadians forced to wear masks to be ‘ vigilant , ’ guard civil liberties

Sloan fired back Friday, defending his record, while O'Toole has yet to make a commitment.
OTTAWA, August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Canada’s Liberal Party is pressuring newly minted pro-abortion Conservative leader Erin O’Toole to kick pro-life M.P. and former leadership candidate Derek Sloan out of the Conservative caucus.
Campaign Life Coalition, Canada’s national pro-life, pro-family political lobbying group, countered by launching a petition Friday asking O’Toole to put the rookie Ontario M.P. and father of three in his shadow cabinet.
“It’d be ludicrous to withhold a critic role from Derek — and a massive betrayal,” said Jack Fonseca, the group’s director of political operations.
O’Toole owes his victory to the “enormous participation of social conservatives in the leadership race,” whose votes, after Sloan and pro-life contestant Leslyn Lewis were eliminated, went to O’Toole on the third ballot, the Campaign Life petition points out.
Scarcely a day after the Conservatives declared Ontario M.P. O’Toole leader early Monday morning, the Liberals attacked Sloan with a one-two punch.
On Tuesday morning, Liberal M.P. Pam Damoff tweeted a letter advising O’Toole that if he didn’t expel Sloan, he would be condoning “racism, misogyny and bigotry.”
My statement on Derek Sloan and Erin O’Toole. pic.twitter.com/9jA5zfvShb — Pam Damoff (@PamDamoff) August 25, 2020
The Liberals followed up Wednesday with a petition asking O’Toole, a pro-abortion, pro-LGBT “rights” Catholic, to turf Sloan from caucus.
Erin O’Toole needs to show leadership by removing Conservative MP Derek Sloan from his caucus, and refusing to sign his nomination papers as a Conservative candidate. Add your name if you agree: ↘https://t.co/0862OTGa43 — Liberal Party (@liberal_party) August 26, 2020
The Liberal petition complained that during his leadership campaign, Sloan “compared women’s rights to control their own bodies to ‘slavery,’” “supported the cruel and discredited practice of anti-gay conversion therapy,” and “attacked the loyalties of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer and accused her of working for China.”
Sloan fired back Friday in an email to supporters.
“Arrogance, and a contempt for democracy, come naturally to Liberals,” he said.
He characterized Damoff’s letter as “a political attack designed to divide our Party under its new leadership” made at “the behest of her party” who are “afraid of a united Conservative Party.”
Sloan won 14 percent of the votes and 16 percent of the popular vote in the leadership race, which saw a record 175,000 ranked ballots submitted.
Global News described his accomplishment as “bringing in only 14 percent of the vote,” but Maclean’s political analyst Jason Markusoff painted a different picture.
He listed Sloan — and social conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis — as “power players” in the party and among the “new cast of Tories to be reckoned with.”
Sloan’s “14 percent of points were good only for last place in 2020, but that score would have vaulted him ahead of the top social conservatives in the 2017 race, as well as the third-place candidate Erin O’Toole,” Markusoff reminded readers.
“His performance shows there is plenty of favour among the Conservative base for an aggressively right-wing social conservative. He might not get a prominent critic’s portfolio in O’Toole’s benches, but he and his constituency cannot be easily dismissed.”
Campaign Life, which supported Sloan and Lewis in the four-way contest, signed up 26,000-plus party members during the race, leading political insiders to predict that the social conservative vote would be critical in determining the next leader.
LifeSiteNews contacted O’Toole’s office for comment but did not hear back. However, when talking to reporters Tuesday, the leader of the Official Opposition declined to say whether he would take the Liberals’ advice on Sloan, Global News reported.
“Derek and I had some very stark differences, we had some areas of overlap with our concern about the Communist Party of China, I didn’t agree with some of the ways that he characterized some of those concerns, but certainly within a pandemic, within the race we were in, a lot of things were said,” O’Toole said.
“We’re united now, we’re going to talk together as a caucus soon,” he added.
Sloan said much the same to Global News.
“We’re united on the need for a new government, we’re united on the need to reign [sic] the spending in under control, we’re united on the need to be cautious against Communist China in some of their advances in bullying that we see on the national stage,” he said.
Damoff took his comments out of context, Sloan added.
“The comments that I made are on the public record, and if you look at them, they’re quite thoughtful and articulate, and obviously certain comments were taken out of context, but everything I’ve said has been out in the public view, and I’ve been unapologetic about the views that I have,” he said.
Toronto lawyer Lewis, who captured 20.5 percent of the vote on first ballot and is now seeking a seat in Parliament, told CBC that Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “should worry about his own caucus” and that “Derek Sloan was elected and if … his constituents feel that they no longer want him, it’s up to them to vote him out.”
Fonseca says appointing Sloan to the Tory shadow cabinet is a “no-brainer” for O’Toole.
“Look, nobody can deny that Derek demonstrated natural leadership skills in the campaign, an ability to communicate complex policy ideas to the masses in an accessible manner, and that he has a spine of steel no Liberal can break. This is exactly the kind of thing future cabinet ministers should be made of,” he told LifeSiteNews.
By doing so, O’Toole would send a “much-needed message to social conservatives that they are a valued part of the O’Toole-led Conservative Party, something he promised repeatedly throughout the campaign,” said Fonseca.
Moreover, O’Toole vowed to be “a ruthless enemy of ‘cancel culture’” during his campaign, he added.
The Tory leader now has an opportunity to “put his money where his mouth is” by “throwing cold water on this Liberal MP’s request to cancel Derek Sloan.”
To sign the Campaign Life petition, go here.
Related:
How ‘pro-life’ politicians helped a pro-abortion candidate lead Canada’s Conservative Party
Rising political star Sloan urges Canadians forced to wear masks to be ‘vigilant,’ guard civil liberties
Pro-abortion Erin O’Toole wins Conservative Party of Canada leadership race
Multi-national intelligence report validates Derek Sloan’s criticism of Theresa Tam
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--Scandal-ridden WHO ‘listening in’ on online conversations to counter ‘fake COVID-19 news’

August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The scandal-plagued World Health Organization ( WHO ) is working with an analytics company to “ social listen ” and monitor “ millions ” of people ’ s social media accounts to combat “ coronavirus misinformation.
” According to an August 25 WHO news post titled “ Immunizing the public against misinformation , ” the WHO , which is the health arm of the United Nations , claims there is “ an overabundance of information and the rapid spread of misleading or fabricated news , images , and videos ” regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just battling the virus , ” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as saying in the news release .
“ We ’ re also battling the trolls and conspiracy theorists that push misinformation and undermine the outbreak response.
” In July , President Donald Trump ’ s administration formally began the process to withdraw the United States from the WHO .
In April , he said the WHO had a “ role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.
” Also in April , a representative from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential service ” during the coronavirus crisis .
The WHO held its first “ Infodemiology Conference ” in June and July , at which they called for the “ adaptation , development , validation and evaluation of new evidence-based measures and practices to prevent , detect and respond to mis- and disinformation.
” According to the WHO in February , well before most nations even began locking down due to the coronavirus , they met at Facebook ’ s headquarters “ about how to promote accurate health information about COVID-19.
” The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 digital companies and social media platforms ” that include Google , TikTok , and YouTube “ to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19.
” The WHO has coined coronavirus “ misinformation ” with a term it calls “ Infodemic , ” which it says , “ like the virus , it is highly contagious and grows exponentially.
” This “ Infodemic , ” the WHO says , is the reason why they are using “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring ” tools to combat “ fake news.
” The WHO says that every week they review 1.6 million “ pieces of information on various social media platforms.
” They then use “ machine learning ” to put together a “ newly developed public health taxonomy ” to categorize information into four different topics , those being cause , illness , interventions , and treatment .
Tim Nguyen is a technology expert who is helping the WHO ’ s Information Network for Epidemics ( EPI-WIN ) in working to combat “ misinformation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that countering “ fake news ” has come “ too late ” in the game .
“ Countering fake news or rumors is actually only responding or mitigating when it ’ s too late , ” Nguyen said in the news release .
“ What we ’ ve put in place in the beginning of the pandemic is what we call a social listening approach.
” According to the WHO news release , “ machine learning ” provides insights into “ what kinds of emotions users are experiencing.
” “ Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment ( positive , neutral , negative ) , language analytics can shed light on anxiety , sadness , denial , acceptance , and other emotions expressed in social media posts , ” the WHO said in their news release .
Nguyen says that what they have “ learned now , after 2 1/2 months of doing this kind of analysis , ” is that they have found “ recurring themes and topics ” that keep appearing .
“ What that means to us is that we need to re-push information at different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time when we push it , but when the questions and issues come up later , it means it ’ s time to push it out again , ” Nguyen said .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned in a recent show that the WHO ’ s goal regarding the coronavirus crisis might be to combat “ global warming.
” “ According to Tedros , COVID-19 is really about global warming , ” Carlson said .
“ Reordering society is the goal .
Quote , ‘ We will not , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things were.
’ That ’ s a direct quote from the leader of the World Health Organization , Dr. Tedros ( Adhanom Ghebreyesus ) who , by the way , is not really a doctor , ” Carlson added .
In a recent episode of the The Van Maren Show , Rebecca Oas from the Center for Family and Human Rights talked with Van Maren about what the WHO is up to , and why the pro-life movement should be concerned about the programs the WHO promote .

The organization's leader believes there is an 'overabundance' of 'misleading or fabricated' information that needs to be dealt with online.
August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The scandal-plagued World Health Organization (WHO) is working with an analytics company to “social listen” and monitor “millions” of people’s social media accounts to combat “coronavirus misinformation.”
According to an August 25 WHO news post titled “Immunizing the public against misinformation,” the WHO, which is the health arm of the United Nations, claims there is “an overabundance of information and the rapid spread of misleading or fabricated news, images, and videos” regarding the coronavirus.
“We’re not just battling the virus,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as saying in the news release. “We’re also battling the trolls and conspiracy theorists that push misinformation and undermine the outbreak response.”
In July, President Donald Trump’s administration formally began the process to withdraw the United States from the WHO. In April, he said the WHO had a “role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.”
Also in April, a representative from the WHO said abortion should be an “essential service” during the coronavirus crisis.
The WHO held its first “Infodemiology Conference” in June and July, at which they called for the “adaptation, development, validation and evaluation of new evidence-based measures and practices to prevent, detect and respond to mis- and disinformation.”
According to the WHO in February, well before most nations even began locking down due to the coronavirus, they met at Facebook’s headquarters “about how to promote accurate health information about COVID-19.”
The WHO says they are “working with more than 50 digital companies and social media platforms” that include Google, TikTok, and YouTube “to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19.”
The WHO has coined coronavirus “misinformation” with a term it calls “Infodemic,” which it says, “like the virus, it is highly contagious and grows exponentially.”
This “Infodemic,” the WHO says, is the reason why they are using “social listening” with “machine learning monitoring” tools to combat “fake news.”
The WHO says that every week they review 1.6 million “pieces of information on various social media platforms.”
They then use “machine learning” to put together a “newly developed public health taxonomy” to categorize information into four different topics, those being cause, illness, interventions, and treatment.
Tim Nguyen is a technology expert who is helping the WHO’s Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN) in working to combat “misinformation.” In the WHO news release, he said that countering “fake news” has come “too late” in the game.
“Countering fake news or rumors is actually only responding or mitigating when it’s too late,” Nguyen said in the news release.
“What we’ve put in place in the beginning of the pandemic is what we call a social listening approach.”
According to the WHO news release, “machine learning” provides insights into “what kinds of emotions users are experiencing.”
“Instead of simply dividing the data by type of sentiment (positive, neutral, negative), language analytics can shed light on anxiety, sadness, denial, acceptance, and other emotions expressed in social media posts,” the WHO said in their news release.
Nguyen says that what they have “learned now, after 2 1/2 months of doing this kind of analysis,” is that they have found “recurring themes and topics” that keep appearing.
“What that means to us is that we need to re-push information at different times. People may not understand it the first time when we push it, but when the questions and issues come up later, it means it’s time to push it out again,” Nguyen said.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned in a recent show that the WHO’s goal regarding the coronavirus crisis might be to combat “global warming.”
“According to Tedros, COVID-19 is really about global warming,” Carlson said.
“Reordering society is the goal. Quote, ‘We will not, we cannot go back to the way things were.’ That’s a direct quote from the leader of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros (Adhanom Ghebreyesus) who, by the way, is not really a doctor,” Carlson added.
In a recent episode of the The Van Maren Show, Rebecca Oas from the Center for Family and Human Rights talked with Van Maren about what the WHO is up to, and why the pro-life movement should be concerned about the programs the WHO promote.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--Biden campaign hits Pence for supporting marriage defense law…that Biden also supported

August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Former vice president Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign has a new online ad attacking current Vice President Mike Pence for his support of the Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) , while neglecting to mention that Biden himself had supported the same law before the Democrat Party moved farther to the left on LGBT issues .
The ad flashes comparisons between Pence ’ s stances and those of Biden ’ s running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) .
Among the slides is that Harris has been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” whereas Pence “ supported the Defense of Marriage Act.
” What the ad fails to mention is that earlier in his career , Biden also supported DOMA , which protect states ’ right not to recognize same-sex “ marriages ” and defined marriage as a monogamous heterosexual union for the purposes of federal law .
“ We already have a law , the Defense of Marriage Act , ” then-senator Biden said in a 2006 interview with Meet the Press .
“ We ’ ve all voted — not , where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , look , marriage is between a man and a woman and states must respect that .
Nobody ’ s violated that law , there ’ s been no challenge to that law .
Why do we need a constitutional amendment ?
Marriage is between a man and a woman.
” Other comparisons listed in the ad are that Harris “ fought against the ‘ gay/trans panic ’ ” ( how is not specified ) while Pence “ opposed the use of Obama-era guidance for Transgender students under Title X ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 ” ( the 2008 California constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between a man and a woman ) , while Pence “ voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
” The conflict underscores how muddled the political battle lines have become on LGBT issues in recent years .
While traditional conservatives cite Biden ’ s abandonment of DOMA as yet another example of him and the Democrat Party growing steadily more radical , more libertarian or moderate Republicans have attacked Biden for his original position rather than for changing it in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history , ” declared Richard Grenell , a homosexual Republican and former acting director of National Intelligence ( DNI ) and ambassador to Germany .
The president endorsed Grenell ’ s characterization of him , calling it “ my great honor.
” While the Trump administration has been consistently pro-life , supportive of religious liberty and conscience rights , and largely conservative on transgenderism , Trump himself supports same-sex “ marriage , ” and his record has been more mixed on homosexuality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by contrast , is a staunch social conservative who shares Trump ’ s pro-life convictions while also holding to his longstanding convictions on faith , marriage , and sexuality .

'Why do we need a constitutional amendment?' Biden asked in 2006. 'Marriage is between a man and a woman.'
August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Former vice president Joe Biden’s presidential campaign has a new online ad attacking current Vice President Mike Pence for his support of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), while neglecting to mention that Biden himself had supported the same law before the Democrat Party moved farther to the left on LGBT issues.
The ad flashes comparisons between Pence’s stances and those of Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). Among the slides is that Harris has been “marrying same sex couples since 2004,” whereas Pence “supported the Defense of Marriage Act.”
What the ad fails to mention is that earlier in his career, Biden also supported DOMA, which protect states’ right not to recognize same-sex “marriages” and defined marriage as a monogamous heterosexual union for the purposes of federal law.
“We already have a law, the Defense of Marriage Act,” then-senator Biden said in a 2006 interview with Meet the Press. “We’ve all voted — not, where I’ve voted, and others have said, look, marriage is between a man and a woman and states must respect that. Nobody’s violated that law, there’s been no challenge to that law. Why do we need a constitutional amendment? Marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Other comparisons listed in the ad are that Harris “fought against the ‘gay/trans panic’” (how is not specified) while Pence “opposed the use of Obama-era guidance for Transgender students under Title X” and that Harris “declined to defend Prop 8” (the 2008 California constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between a man and a woman), while Pence “voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.”
The conflict underscores how muddled the political battle lines have become on LGBT issues in recent years. While traditional conservatives cite Biden’s abandonment of DOMA as yet another example of him and the Democrat Party growing steadily more radical, more libertarian or moderate Republicans have attacked Biden for his original position rather than for changing it in an effort to reframe the GOP as pro-LGBT.
“President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history,” declared Richard Grenell, a homosexual Republican and former acting director of National Intelligence (DNI) and ambassador to Germany. The president endorsed Grenell’s characterization of him, calling it “my great honor.”
While the Trump administration has been consistently pro-life, supportive of religious liberty and conscience rights, and largely conservative on transgenderism, Trump himself supports same-sex “marriage,” and his record has been more mixed on homosexuality and recognition of LGBT “pride.” Pence, by contrast, is a staunch social conservative who shares Trump’s pro-life convictions while also holding to his longstanding convictions on faith, marriage, and sexuality.
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lifesitenews--2020-08-29--Ben Carson calls out racism of abortion at Republican National Convention

URGENT PETITION : Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade !
Sign the petition here .
CHARLOTTE , North Carolina , August 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The real systemic racism plaguing the United States is the disparate number of black lives destroyed by abortion , U.S. Housing & Urban Development secretary Dr. Ben Carson declared Thursday evening during the final night of the Republican National Convention .
“ What is racist is the fact that African Americans have the highest abortion rate , ” Carson declared during his speech .
“ President Trump is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s history .
He will continue to fight for those who can not yet speak.
” The remark followed a broader refutation of the common left-wing accusation that Trump is somehow a racist .
“ Years ago , Jesse Jackson gave Donald Trump an award for the economic opportunities he created for black people , ” Carson said .
“ In Palm Beach , Florida , Donald Trump led the crusade to allow blacks and Jews into private clubs and resorts .
One of the first things he did as president was bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Universities into the White House so that it could get proper attention and financial support .
Before the pandemic , African-American unemployment was at an all-time low.
” Carson also offered a more general summary of what he believes to be the president ’ s true nature .
“ Our president , Donald J. Trump , believes in the people .
He is one of us , ” Carson said .
“ He makes promises , and he keeps them .
He is transparent , and we certainly know what he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political correctness or to its enforcers , the media .
He is real .
Right now , we need real .
We need courage.
” An estimated 40 percent of all U.S. abortions are sought by black women , ending more than 344,800 black lives every year .
By contrast , the Ku Klux Klan and other racists are calculated to have killed a total of 3,446 blacks by lynching over an 86-year period .
Yet Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) officially supports “ reproductive justice , ” a euphemism for abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children ’ s Center before he entered politics , Carson has long been a voice for the preborn .
At HUD , he has also worked to defend women from the ideology of gender fluidity by backing rules ensuring that HUD-funded shelters with single-sex restrooms , showers , or sleeping quarters may consider “ privacy , safety , practical concerns , religious beliefs , ” and an “ individual ’ s sex as reflected in official government documents ” in categorizing users .

'What is racist is the fact that African Americans have the highest abortion rate,' Trump's secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development said in his convention speech.
URGENT PETITION: Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade! Sign the petition here.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, August 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The real systemic racism plaguing the United States is the disparate number of black lives destroyed by abortion, U.S. Housing & Urban Development secretary Dr. Ben Carson declared Thursday evening during the final night of the Republican National Convention.
“What is racist is the fact that African Americans have the highest abortion rate,” Carson declared during his speech. “President Trump is the most pro-life president in our country’s history. He will continue to fight for those who cannot yet speak.”
The remark followed a broader refutation of the common left-wing accusation that Trump is somehow a racist.
“Years ago, Jesse Jackson gave Donald Trump an award for the economic opportunities he created for black people,” Carson said. “In Palm Beach, Florida, Donald Trump led the crusade to allow blacks and Jews into private clubs and resorts. One of the first things he did as president was bring the Office of Historically Black Colleges and Universities into the White House so that it could get proper attention and financial support. Before the pandemic, African-American unemployment was at an all-time low.”
Carson also offered a more general summary of what he believes to be the president’s true nature.
“Our president, Donald J. Trump, believes in the people. He is one of us,” Carson said. “He makes promises, and he keeps them. He is transparent, and we certainly know what he’s thinking. He does not submit to political correctness or to its enforcers, the media. He is real. Right now, we need real. We need courage.”
An estimated 40 percent of all U.S. abortions are sought by black women, ending more than 344,800 black lives every year. By contrast, the Ku Klux Klan and other racists are calculated to have killed a total of 3,446 blacks by lynching over an 86-year period. Yet Black Lives Matter (BLM) officially supports “reproductive justice,” a euphemism for abortion.
An esteemed neurosurgeon who served as director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center before he entered politics, Carson has long been a voice for the preborn. At HUD, he has also worked to defend women from the ideology of gender fluidity by backing rules ensuring that HUD-funded shelters with single-sex restrooms, showers, or sleeping quarters may consider “privacy, safety, practical concerns, religious beliefs,” and an “individual’s sex as reflected in official government documents” in categorizing users.
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