Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Westbrook Pastor Speaks Against Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Via the PPH's live-tweeting from today's marathon public hearing on same-sex marriage, Rev. Rich Gustafson of the First Baptist Church in Westbrook spoke against legalizing gay marriage:

The Rev. Rich Gustafson of 1st Baptist in Westbrook says children need both
parents. If the bill passes, "the institution of marriage as we know it will
end," he said.
Between this post and an earlier post on marijuana policy in Maine, I'm an abortion-related post away from accomplishing the culture war triumvirate in a single day. Oh, wait, what's that?

Why, it is the hot-button jackpot.

(Update: Rev. Gustafson's testimony made it into Matt Wickenheiser's article about yesterday's hearing.)

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: The Augustan: Sen. Brannigan Among Co-Sponsors of Same-Sex Marriage Bill (March 12, 2009)

7 comments:

Liz said...

With all due respect to Rev. Gustafson, has he looked out his church window lately? Westbrook has more single parent problems than we can shake a stick at, and they have nothing at all to do with whether or not gay and lesbian couples are allowed to marry. We have quite a plank in our own eye.

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lynn said...

If the anti-gay marriage crusaders real mission was to make life better for children there are many other causes that would be more beneficial I think in the long run to fight for or give their financial support, like hunger, preschool, medical and drug rehabilitation. I am pro-gay marriage, but what upsets me more than anything is all the time, energy and money that I feel is wasted on preventing people there equal rights when there are so many good causes out there that would really benefit if giving the same attention. Whether you believe homosexuality is nurture or nature. Gays and lesbians should have the right to practice their sexual orientation without anyone church or state interfering with their equal rights. We all know deep down what children need to be happy, healthy and well balanced is love and support. Sometimes the only way children have two parents is because a gay or lesbian partner steps up to the plate and takes on the joy and challenges of parenthood. Why shouldn’t this “step” parent have the same rights as any other step parent in a heterosexual marriage?
Obviously this debate is bigger than this blog and my opinion won’t do much if anything, but I would just LOVE to see other higher impact causes giving the same attention so we could actually make a real difference in children’s lives.

Westbrook Diarist said...

The deleted comment above was removed because it was a repeat comment.

No unique thoughts were harmed in the management of this site.

Anonymous said...

This is more about proving a point than solving any discrimination. Civil Unions are just as good as marriage.

Lynn M said...

Depends on who you ask!! My gay friends don't feel that way. It is so personal to both sides but marriage didn't start out as a religious institution so why shouldn't all man and women have the same rights to be married, we have freedom of religion but if someone feels strongly that they want to be "married" they have to settle with a civil union. This just doesn't seem fair to me.

Anonymous said...

life isn't fair.