CALIFORNIA CHURCH LEADERS OPPOSE PROP 8

I have written a number of pieces about the unfathomably hateful comments spewed out by the ultra right wing, religious fanatics. It's no big secret that I consider them to be the exact opposite of what I have always believed religion was supposed to be about.

I'm always baffled by the number of average people who actually buy into their satanic messages. And yes, they are, by the very definition of the word - satanic, which Merriam-Wester describes as "characterized by extreme cruelty or viciousness." Some have even called for their followers to go out and shoot gay people. (see my June 6th posting)

That's why it's always great to hear from a religious leader who actually does stand for the true tenets of religious belief. In this case, it's the Right Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Episcopal Bishop of California.

Reverend Andrus will hold a press conference later today at 1:00 p.m. (PCT) at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. He will deliver a statement signed by Episcopal bishops throughout the state calling for compassion, love and equal protections for all.

Reverend Andrus will be joined by the Right Rev. Steven Chaleston, Assisting Bishop of California, the Right Rev. Barry Beisner, Episcopal Bishop of Northern California as well as other bishops, members of the clergy and lay leaders from throughout California. They will affirm the church's long-standing position of equal rights and fair treatment for all - which would, of course, include maintaining the legality of same-sex marriages as directed by the California Supreme Court.

I hope that the many fair-minded church leaders here in Arizona will do the same thing and take a stand in opposition to the anti-gay Proposition 102.

My source for this article is gaynewsblog.net