HARVARD: LAW PROFESSOR SAYS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE ABOUT SPECIAL PREFERENCE CAMBRIDGE, USA — F

February 27, 2004 (CNA)

Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon, former Vatican representative to the Beijing Summit on Women, argues that same-sex marriage is not a civil rights issue — but a bid for special preference.

She states:

“What same-sex marriage advocates have tried to present as a civil rights issue is really a bid for special preferences of the type our society gives to married couples for the very good reason that most of them are raising or have raised children.”

Glendon raises three major concerns:

Children’s Rights: Legalizing same-sex marriage would endorse the idea that children do not need both a mother and a father, and would normalize the view that “alternative family forms are just as good.” Sex-education and marriage-prep curricula would include homosexual practice, and objecting parents would be “branded as homophobes.”

Religious Freedom: She warns of “an era of intolerance and discrimination the likes of which we have rarely seen before.” Religious institutions refusing to recognize same-sex unions would face lawsuits and public vilification.

Distributive Justice:

“How can one justify treating same-sex households like married couples when such benefits are denied to all the people… caring for elderly or disabled relatives whom they cannot claim as family members for tax or insurance purposes?”

She insists the decision belongs to the democratic process — not courts — and must be preceded by full public debate. Citizens deserve the right to vote on whether childless same-sex unions should receive the same legal and financial privileges society reserves for families raising children.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: ROBINSON’S ELECTION “RIGGED”, PLANNED A YEAR IN ADVANCE

By JoAnn Samson

February 28, 2004

A lay Episcopalian from St. Paul’s Church, Concord, NH, JoAnn Samson alleges that the election of V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire was “rigged”—orchestrated over many months, possibly years.

Key claims:

Bishop Douglas Theuner (Robinson’s longtime superior and Canon employer) actively campaigned for Robinson, “cajoled, pushed and twisted arms,” and handpicked delegates favorable to his election.

The groundwork was laid during the Righter trial (1990s), where Theuner served as a “judge” in the case of a bishop who ordained a non-celibate gay priest — establishing precedent and alliances.

Though presented as a Spirit-led open process, Samson asserts the outcome was predetermined. Following the vote, many orthodox members resigned or left within 24 hours.

Samson also critiques Robinson’s theology:

In a sermon on Abraham and Isaac, he speculated Abraham “maybe thought he was to sacrifice Isaac because that’s what the pagans did” — implying doubt that God spoke.

He identified himself as both “wheat and weeds,” contradicting Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13), where the two are ultimately separated.

Post-election, he embarked on a global “gay rights advocacy” tour — despite claiming he didn’t want to be “a gay bishop,” but “New Hampshire’s bishop.”

One supporter reportedly said Robinson was “so busy he did not have time to pray or read the Bible.”

More broadly, Samson warns of deeper heresies beneath the sexuality debate:

Rejection of biblical authority

Denial of sin as objective reality

Universalism (“everyone is saved”)

Relativism (“all religions are equal”)

She cites liturgical erosion: communion now offered “whether you believe in anything or not,” and sermons (e.g., on “Why Jesus Died”) that omit sin entirely — replacing atonement with vague notions like “Claudia’s dream.”

She concludes:

“The stakes are far higher than just homosexuality or marriage. They are the basic beliefs of the Christian faith… God has said to me that Gene’s rise to international involvement… is not unlike what will happen with the Antichrist.”

“Do not be fooled into believing that what is going on is harmless. It is not. It is the power to kill and destroy.”

She urges believers to “speak the Truth in love” and remain watchful — citing Jonah, the lying spirit in 1 Kings 22, and the inevitability of apostasy before Christ’s return.

CENTRAL AFRICA: SEPARATION WITH US EPISCOPAL CHURCH INEVITABLE GABORONE — February 27, 2004

The Episcopal Synod of the Anglican Province of Central Africa (Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe) declared formal separation from The Episcopal Church (USA) inevitable unless ECUSA repents for consecrating a sexually active gay bishop.

Archbishop Bernard Malango of Malawi stated:

“The ordination has inflicted a desperately grave wound to the Church and the Communion… ECUSA has ignored the clear voice of God contained in the Bible.”

He accused the 62 consecrating bishops of disregarding global Anglican leadership, including repeated pleas from the Primates’ Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council.

“ECUSA’s arrogance has irreparably shattered trust and fellowship… Sincere repentance is the only thing that could rescue those involved.”

The Province declared:

“The relationship is fractured and communion is impaired… separation is necessary for the maintenance of Gospel integrity and spiritual safety of our people.”

Malango affirmed that Scripture does not permit compromise on sin, and noted that Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda have already severed ties with ECUSA.