SUPREME COURT-GAY MARRIAGE
Justice Thomas: Court signals support for gay marriage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas is criticizing his Supreme Court colleagues for refusing to block same-sex marriage in Alabama until the court resolves the issue nationwide in a few months.
In a dissent joined by Justice Antonin Scalia, Thomas says the court’s Alabama order could be seen as a signal that the justices already have decided they will declare that gay and lesbian couples have a right to marry under the Constitution.
Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says he believes “the United States Supreme Court’s legitimacy is on trial.” He notes that Justices Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg performed same-sex weddings last year.
Staver says Liberty Counsel is offering to defend Alabama probate judges, some of whom have religious objections to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Sound:
258-a-09-(Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, in AP interview)-“very solid one”-Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says his Christian advocacy firm has been retained by some Alabama probate judges who don’t want to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. (9 Feb 2015)
< 261-a-08-(Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, in AP interview)-“and religious freedom”-Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says some Alabama probate judges believe issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples would be wrong. (9 Feb 2015) < 259-a-07-(Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, in AP interview)-“is on trial”-Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says some Supreme Court justices appear to have pre-judged the gay marriage case they’ll hear this year. (9 Feb 2015) < 255-v-31-(Tim Maguire, AP correspondent)–Two Supreme Court Justices object to their fellow justices’ refusal to block gay marriages in Alabama. AP correspondent Tim Maguire reports. (9 Feb 2015) < 260-a-11-(Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, in AP interview)-“same-sex marriage ceremonies”-Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says two Supreme Court justices have performed same-sex weddings. (9 Feb 2015) < 236-a-13-(Susan Watson, executive director, American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, in AP interview)-“it’s just wonderful”-The ACLU’s Susan Watson is pleased that Supreme Court refused to block the start of same-sex marriages in Alabama today. (9 Feb 2015) < 237-a-09-(Susan Watson, executive director, American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, in AP interview)-“we have it”-The ACLU’s Susan Watson praises the Supreme Court’s refusal to keep gay marriage on hold in Alabama. (9 Feb 2015) < GAY MARRIAGE-ALABAMA Gay marriage comes to Alabama over chief judge’s objections MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says a federal judge’s order striking down the state’s gay-marriage ban was illegal, so Alabama’s probate judges should not issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples. On Monday, some counties refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses or shut down their licensing operations altogether, citing confusion about what they should do. But at least seven of Alabama’s 67 counties issued gay marriage licenses, and same-sex couples were wed at courthouses in such places as Birmingham and Montgomery. Moore was removed from the bench in 2003 for defying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse, but voters returned him to office in 2012. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, a Republican and a Southern Baptist, said he believes strongly that marriage is between one man and one woman. But he said the issue should be “worked out through the proper legal channels” and not through defiance of the law. Sound: 243-a-08-(Russell County, Alabama, Probate Judge Alford Harden, in interview)-“issue the license”-Russell County, Alabama, Probate Judge Alford Harden, says he believes a federal judge’s order on gay marriage is non-binding. COURTESY: WTVM ((mandatory on-air credit)) EMBARGO: Columbus, Ga. (9 Feb 2015) < 244-a-10-(The Reverend Emily Bel, pastor of Forgiving Heart Christian Community Church, in interview)-“believe they’re married”-The Reverend Emily Bel, pastor of Forgiving Heart Christian Community Church, says Russell County officials refused to license a same-sex couple’s wedding. COURTESY: WTVM ((mandatory on-air credit)) EMBARGO: Columbus, Ga. (9 Feb 2015) < 237-a-09-(Susan Watson, executive director, American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, in AP interview)-“we have it”-The ACLU’s Susan Watson praises the Supreme Court’s refusal to keep gay marriage on hold in Alabama. (9 Feb 2015) < 218-a-05-(Olanda Russell, newlywed, in AP interview)-“regular marriage is”-Newlywed Olanda Russell says it was important to her and her partner to exchange vows. (9 Feb 2015) < 217-a-10-(James Dansby, gay marriage opponent, in AP interview)-“in a whole”-Gay marriage opponent James Dansby says he does not believe same-sex marriages should be allowed. (9 Feb 2015) < RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Indiana Chamber of Commerce opposes religious freedom bill INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is opposing a proposed religious freedom law being considered by state legislators. Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar says the organization believes religious liberty is protected by existing state laws and that the change could expose businesses to lawsuits over religious belief claims from employees. An Indiana Senate committee heard more than three hours of testimony on the proposal Monday. Indiana University law professor Daniel Conkle told the committee he supports same-sex marriage rights but believes the religious freedom proposal would narrowly protect a baker or photographer from being compelled to provide their services. He says the proposal would shield religious minorities from government interference. The committee chairman says a vote on the proposal won’t take place until a future meeting. SCHOOLS-CHRISTMAS Arkansas bill defends Christmas greetings in schools LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Public school classrooms could be filled with Christmas trees, menorahs and other religious holiday imagery under a bill filed by an Arkansas lawmaker who wants to defend teachers and students who wish to celebrate Christmas at school. The proposal would allow a district to showcase a winter holiday item as long as the display includes a secular scene or symbol, or an image from another religion. It would bar schools from encouraging the practice of a particular religion through a display. The bill also states that students and teachers at a school can say, “merry Christmas,” ”happy Hanukkah” and “happy holidays.” Republican Rep. Justin Harris of West Fork said he wants to protect people who are worried about being politically correct or offensive. But attorney Sam Groveran with the Freedom From Religion Foundation said such a law isn’t needed. INTERFAITH ANTI-VIOLENCE COALITION New interfaith panel to battle religious-backed violence TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Two New Jersey lawmakers have organized a coalition of religious leaders to educate and advocate against religious violence worldwide. Democratic State Sen. Ray Lesniak and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (KAYN) Jr. announced the formation of “Faith Leaders Against Violence” on Monday. The say the group will help develop education and community-based programming to promote a common voice against all forms of violence. Coalition members include Bishop Reginald Jackson, the pastor of St. Matthew AME Church and the executive director of the Black Minister’s Council; Rabbi Avi Richler, director of legislative affairs for Chabad in New Jersey, and Patrick Brannigan, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference. ISLAMIC STATE-PILOT-MEMORIAL Hundreds attend Livonia memorial for slain Jordanian pilot LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — Arab Americans in the Detroit area are condemning the execution of a Jordanian pilot burned alive in a cage by the Islamic State group. Hundreds gathered Sunday at St. Mary’s Cultural Center in Livonia for a memorial service honoring Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh (moo-AHTH’ ahl-kah-SAHS’-bay). The Detroit Free Press reports that local Muslims and Arab Christians attended the two-hour service organized by a Jordanian-American group in conjunction with the Honorary Consulate of Jordan. A 20-year-old relative from Ann Arbor said al-Kaseasbeh wanted to defend Jordan, its people and the world from terrorism. Other speakers said the Islamic State group doesn’t represent Islam and the people who killed the pilot are enemies of humanity. MORMON EXCOMMUNICATION Mormon facing ouster says he’s likely to be excommunicated SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Mormon man who runs a website for church members questioning their faith says he expects to be excommunicated based on the tenor of a disciplinary hearing. John Dehlin said Monday that the four-hour hearing Sunday night in North Logan, Utah, was difficult, sad and heart-wrenching at times. He says five people spoke on his behalf before a council of 15 regional church leaders, all men. Officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say a decision will be made in the coming days. Dehlin says he has been told he will be notified by mail, perhaps as early as Tuesday. Dehlin is accused of apostasy, defined by the church as repeatedly acting in clear public opposition to the church. About 200 supporters held a vigil for Dehlin Sunday night. CHOCOLATE HINDU FIGURINE Shop criticized for selling chocolate figurine of Hindu god NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City shop that sells religious chocolate figurines has come under attack from a Hindu activist. Universal Society of Hinduism President Rajan Zed has asked Bond Street Chocolate to withdraw its edible elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh. He says the chocolate statues are an insult to Hindus. The New York Times notes that Zed is the society’s only-full-time staff member. He’s a frequent critic of the nonreligious use of Hindu imagery. He’s challenged the Brooklyn Museum in the past over a mural depicting the deity Kali. He also got Urban Outfitters to stop selling a Ganesh duvet cover. But shop owner Lynda Stern says all spiritual icons in her store are treated equally. She also sells a chocolate Jesus, Moses and Buddha.
