Saturday, September 5, 2015

News Tidbits

The Guardian: Two arsons at Planned Parenthood clinics reported in wake of 'sting' videos

Gay Star News: Tennessee judge refuses to divorce straight couple, cites gay marriage ruling

Religion News Service: Kim Davis emerges as lightning rod for religious freedom among some Republicans

The Advocate: Kim Davis to Appeal Contempt Ruling

Associated Press: Jailed clerk’s attorney: Those marriage licenses are void


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Commentary Tidbits

The Lancet: Anti-abortion groups target funding of Planned Parenthood

Spiritual Sounding Board: Pastor Doug Wilson, A Serial Pedophile, and the Real Victims

No Longer Quivering: Christian Cannibalism and Josh Duggar’s Sins: Michael Pearl Vs. Zsuzsanna Anderson

Raw Story: Here are 10 times white nationalists have supported Trump — and why this should scare you


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Kim Davis: The Tweets

Twitter is brimming with tweets about Kim Davis! First, Religious Right figures wasted no time in defending Davis.













On the other hand, plenty of other people on Twitter have condemned Davis for her homophobia and refusal to perform her job. Hashtags such as #DoYourJob, #FreeKimDavis, and #IStandWithKimDavis make for fun reading.























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Religious Right Reacts to Kim Davis' Incarceration



Kim Davis was recently taken into custody after refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in her capacity as Rowan County (Kentucky) clerk. Predictably, the Religious Right is enraged, depicting Davis as a martyr for religious freedom. The fact that Davis' religious beliefs do not absolve her of the responsibility to perform her job escapes them.

First, in an August 13th statement, Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver defended Davis while sneering at the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. In Staver's eyes, Davis' job responsibilities were changed by "five lawyers" who exceeded their authority. "Kim Davis did not sign up as a clerk to issue same-sex marriage licenses," he wrote. "Her job duty was changed by five lawyers without any constitutional authority. At a minimum, her religious convictions should be accommodated."
"Judge Bunning’s decision equated Kim’s free exercise of religion to going to church. This is absurd! Christianity is not a robe you take off when you leave a sanctuary ... The First Amendment guarantees Kim and every American the free exercise of religion, even when they are working for the government."
With no hint of irony, Concerned Women for America president Penny Nance decried the supposed "lawlessness" of the Supreme Court for putting Kim Davis in jail.
"We support Kim Davis’ right to act according to her conscience and face the consequences.  Her predicament is the direct result of the lawlessness promoted by the Supreme Court of the United States itself with its unconstitutional Obergefell decision. It’s flippant, and frankly insulting, treatment of religious liberty and Obergefell is a disgrace to that great institution.

Same-sex ‘marriage’ supporters are chastising Mrs. Davis now, but they were the same group of people that applauded with glee when public officials forced the granting of marriage certificates to same-sex couples in direct violation to their state constitutions, before the Supreme Court’s decision.  They are not concerned about the law or the constitution but simply want to promote their activism through it.

We believe the law should provide reasonable accommodation to any person who does not want to participate in a same-sex ‘marriage’ union because of their deeply held religious beliefs, as has been done in other areas throughout our history."
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins released a statement warning readers that religious liberty is in "grave danger". Perkins ignores the fact that Americans can still practice their religion freely in favor of a tiresome persecution narrative.
"Today we are witnessing what the four dissenting Supreme Court Justices warned of in the Obergefell decision: religious liberty in America is in grave danger.

While five justices on the Supreme Court created this dilemma, it is incumbent upon Congress, and in this case legislatures, to ensure orthodox religious beliefs are accommodated. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear could solve this court-created conflict by immediately calling for a special legislative session and establishing statutory accommodations for clerks like Kim Davis.

Ultimately, this is about more than same-sex marriage licenses in Kentucky. It is about the ability of Christians and other religious people to serve in positions of public trust. If this is not resolved in a manner that accommodates the orthodox religious beliefs of Clerk Davis, this will, in effect, establish a reverse religious test barring those who hold biblical views of marriage from positions of public service. Such a religious test by proclamation or practice is wrong.

Now a court is jailing someone over this because the governor failed to act. How hard is it to change a simple form to remove her name from it? Isn't that worth doing to keep someone out of jail because of what they believe? Governor Beshear must call for a special session of the legislature and grant an accommodation to Kim Davis."
Even political leaders chimed in. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal defended Davis in an interview with the Huffington Post, accusing the government of discrimination. The fact that Davis violated the law by discriminating against same-sex couples did not seem to perturb him.
"I don't think anyone should have to choose between following their conscience and religious beliefs and giving up their job and facing financial sanctions. I think it's wrong to force Christian individuals or business owners. We are seeing government today discriminate against whether it's clerks, florists, musicians or others. I think that's wrong. I think you should be able to keep your job and follow your conscience..."
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has loudly supported Davis. The Associated Press reports that Huckabee plans to visit Davis in jail next week and arrange a rally in support of her cause. In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, he called Davis' incarceration "the first example of the criminalization of a Christian for believing the traditional definition of marriage". Huckabee complained that Davis was "not accommodated for her faith, but was jailed without bail". In another interview with MSNBC, Huckabee blasted the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that triggered the controversy, criticizing the ruling as an affront to God.
"I believe that it's time for us to have a real clear understanding of what should be something that we learned in ninth grade civics, that the Supreme Court is not the supreme branch. It's the Supreme Court, and it certainly is not the supreme being. It cannot overrule the laws of nature and nature's God."
However, not all conservative leaders have defended Davis' actions. Huffington Post and Washington Blade report that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and presidential candidate Carly Fiorina weighed in on the controversy during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt. Graham admitted that Davis should "comply with the law or resign" in keeping with the rule of law, and Fiorina said that any further defiance of the courts "is not appropriate". Fiorina explained that as an elected county clerk, Davis is expected to act as a arm of the government, and if she is unwilling to do so, she must consider another job.
"...this woman now needs to make a decision of conscience — is she prepared to continue to work for the government, be paid for by the government in which case she needs to execute the government’s will, or does she feel so strongly about this that she wants to sever her employment with the government and go seek employment elsewhere where her religious liberties will be paramount over her duties as a government employee?"
Graham and Fiorina notwithstanding, many right-wing figures are having difficulty understanding that Christian faith does not trump the law. Kim Davis' religious beliefs did not entitle her to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite what the Religious Right believes. Religious liberty is not under threat; Davis is not being persecuted for her faith; and America has not descended into lawlessness. Davis simply refused to do her job.



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News Tidbits

Gay Star News: Kentucky clerk refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses accidentally gave one to trans man

CNN: Pope Francis, in major change, alters rules for Catholics who've had abortions 

The Advocate: Chris Christie Opposes Anti-LGBT Discrimination Disguised as 'Religious Liberty'

11 Alive Atlanta: School district investigating mass baptism at football practice

KCBD 11: Texas: Tent revival sparks protest at Leroy Elmore Park

Al*com: 'All Lives Matter' march draws thousands to Birmingham

Washington Post: Vast majority of U.S. Catholics who left the church can’t imagine returning, study says

Huffington Post: Jesse Rau, Calgary Transit Driver, Says He's Being Targeted Over Pride Bus Stance

Raw Story: Florida pastor says women should greet their husbands looking ‘spiffed up’ with a hot meal waiting


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Commentary Tidbits

American Prospect: Republicans Find Their Next Anti-Choice Innovation

The Guardian: The pope's abortion 'forgiveness' is good politics, but changes nothing for women

The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser: Reformers Unanimous: Is This Where Josh Duggar is Getting ‘Treatment’ For His Sex Addiction?

Huffington Post: Josh Duggar's Rehab: Welcome to the Dark Ages 

Revolutionary Faith: The Biblical Counseling Movement, Parts I, II, and III

Washington Post: Glenn Beck got 20,000 people to turn out for an ‘All Lives Matter’ rally

Religion News Service: Conservative Christians’ new scare word

Think Progress: No Congressman, Anti-Discrimination Laws Were Not ‘Designed’ To Take Down The Boy Scouts 



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Kim Davis and the Limits of "Religious Freedom"



Back in June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage during the Obergefell v. Hodges case. Soon thereafter, Kim Davis refused to grant licenses for same-sex marriages in her capacity as elected clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky. Davis argued that issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples would violate her Apostolic Christian convictions, and flatly refused to comply with the law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued Davis on behalf of four couples, arguing that David violated the couples' constitutional rights. Months of legal wrangling followed, with Liberty Counsel representing Davis in court.

Davis' recalcitrance has impacted multiple couples. For example, James Yates and William Smith Jr. sought a marriage license at the Rowan County Courthouse multiple times in recent weeks, but were repeatedly turned away, according to the Courier-Journal. The Associated Press reported that another same-sex couple, David Moore and David Ermold, demanded to speak with Davis at the Rowan County Courthouse on September 1st. Moore and Ermold insisted that Davis "face the people she's discriminating against", AP reports.

On August 26th, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio denied Davis' request to stay a federal injunction requiring her to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, reported the Courier-Journal. On August 31st, a stay granted by the District Court expired, and the Supreme Court rejected Davis' emergency application for a fresh stay, according to the New York Times. Despite having no legal grounds for refusing to issue marriage licenses, Davis still refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, in defiance of the court. WKYT reported on the immediate aftermath of her decision.




Kim Davis released a statement defending her defiance as a "Heaven or Hell decision".
"I have worked in the Rowan County Clerk’s office for 27 years as a Deputy Clerk and was honored to be elected as the Clerk in November 2014, and took office in January 2015. I love my job and the people of Rowan County. I have never lived any place other than Rowan County. Some people have said I should resign, but I have done my job well. This year we are on track to generate a surplus for the county of 1.5 million dollars.

 In addition to my desire to serve the people of Rowan County, I owe my life to Jesus Christ who loves me and gave His life for me. Following the death of my godly mother-in-law over four years ago, I went to church to fulfill her dying wish. There I heard a message of grace and forgiveness and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I am not perfect. No one is. But I am forgiven and I love my Lord and must be obedient to Him and to the Word of God.

 I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of Scripture and of Jesus Himself regarding marriage. To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s Word. It is a matter of religious liberty, which is protected under the First Amendment, the Kentucky Constitution, and in the Kentucky Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Our history is filled with accommodations for people’s religious freedom and conscience. I want to continue to perform my duties, but I also am requesting what our Founders envisioned – that conscience and religious freedom would be protected. That is all I am asking. I never sought to be in this position, and I would much rather not have been placed in this position. I have received death threats from people who do not know me. I harbor nothing against them. I was elected by the people to serve as the County Clerk. I intend to continue to serve the people of Rowan County, but I cannot violate my conscience."
Protesters for and against same-sex marriage gathered outside the courthouse where Kim Davis' proceedings took place.





Davis' refusal to provide marriage licenses for same-sex couples earned her the ire of regional attorneys and the ACLU. The Morehead News reported that on August 27th, the Rowan County Attorney's Office referred a charge of official misconduct to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office. CNN reports that the ACLU of Kentucky filed a motion in federal court requesting that David be held in contempt of court. While the ACLU of Kentucky did not want Davis incarcerated, they encouraged the court to impose financial penalties on Davis until she complied.

At least one powerful sympathizer tried to help Davis. The Courier-Journal reported that Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers submitted a brief to District Judge David Bunning, asking him to withhold action against Davis until the Kentucky General Assembly could take action.

Fortunately, the district judge would not be swayed. On September 3rd, Bunning found Davis in contempt of court and ordered U.S. marshals to take her into custody, according to the Washington Blade. Bunning admitted that Davis' "good faith belief is simply not a viable defense", reported the Associated Press. After Davis was taken into custody, demonstrators outside the courthouse reportedly chanted, "Love won! Love won!"

Roger Gannam, a lawyer on Davis' legal team, expressed disgust after Davis was taken into custody. "Today, for the first time in American history, an American citizen has been incarcerated for having the belief and conscience that marriage is a union of one man and one woman," Gannam complained, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. One would think that as a lawyer, Gannam should have understood that she was incarcerated for refusing to carry out her duties, not for her opinion on same-sex marriage.

With Davis incarcerated in the Carter County Detention Center, Rowan County officials could now issue marriage licenses unimpeded. According to the Lexington Herald Leader, Bunning asked Davis' six deputy clerks if they would comply with his order to provide marriage licenses. All but one agreed to obey. The sole dissenting clerk was Nathan Davis, Kim Davis' son.

Raw Story and CNN shared news of the happy ending to this story. On the morning of Friday, September 4th, James Yates and William Smith Jr. received a marriage license from a deputy clerk at the Rowan County Courthouse. It was their sixth attempt to receive a marriage license, according to CNN, and the milestone was greeted with cries of "Love wins!" from supporters outside.






The Kim Davis controversy reminds us of how right-wing Christians selectively defend "religious freedom". Davis refused to issue licenses to same-sex couples because of the Bible's ban on same-sex relations, and yet she conveniently ignored the Bible's other rules on marriage. Would Davis hide behind her faith if asked to grant marriage licenses to divorcees or non-virgins? Fundamentalist Christians claim to obey the Bible, but in reality they cherry-pick which parts they want to emphasize.

Furthermore, do we see fundamentalists like Davis getting half as angry over, say, mistreatment of the poor (which the Bible repeatedly condemns) as they do over LGBTQ issues (mentioned in only a handful of scriptural passages)? Of course not. This was never really about the Bible. Davis' deep-seated homophobia, not her faith, cemented her stubbornness.

The controversy also serves as an important reminder of the limits of right-wing "religious freedom" arguments. Davis' refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples was not only an act of homophobic discrimination, but was also dereliction of duty. The law requires an elected county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, regardless of her personal feelings. Davis is a representative of the government, and her so-called religious freedom did not absolve her of the responsibility to carry out the law.

With so many right-wing Christians demanding special treatment in the name of religious freedom, it's refreshing to see a fundamentalist held to the same standards as everyone else.


To read additional commentary, visit the following links.

Huffington Post: Gay Dad Sounds Off On Kentucky Clerk's Refusal To Issue Gay Marriage Licenses

Detroit Free Press: It's time to remove Kentucky clerk Kim Davis

Slate: Is Kentucky’s Infamous Anti-Gay Clerk Getting Taken for a Ride by Her Lawyers?

Good As You: Kim Davis: The Almost Too Perfect Coda to the Marriage Discrimination Fight

Gay Star News: Dear American Christians, Kim Davis and your ‘martyrs’ are failing you


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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

News Tidbits

CNN: SCOTUS: Kentucky clerk must issue same-sex marriage licenses

NPR: Planned Parenthood Fights Back 

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Plans Meeting With Evangelicals

The Guardian: Hillary Clinton likens GOP candidates to terrorists for 'extreme' views on women 

Gay Star News: Cruz, Santorum, Jindal and Carson sign pledge to repeal gay marriage

Washington Blade: Walker latest GOP candidate to make ‘religious freedom’ pledge

The Advocate: Josh Duggar's Hypocrisy Is No 'Excuse to Live in Sin,' Scolds Tony Perkins

Associated Press: Ahead of pope's visit to US, some friction over LGBT issues

Philadelphia Gay News: Conversion-therapy backers among World Meeting participants 

Entertainment Tonight: Josh Duggar's Family Speaks Out: 'I Hope He Gets Broken in Rehab'


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Commentary Tidbits

Danthropology: 5 things I learned by attending Ken Ham’s Answers Conference

Queerty: Right-Wing Christian Group Tries To Trick TV Viewers Into Donating To Antigay Cause

The Guardian: No, the anti-choice movement doesn't care about sexism, racism or ableism 

New York Times: The Republican Conception of Conception 

The New Civil Rights Movement: Why Did Josh Duggar Do It? Former FRC Analyst Explains Conservative Christian Hypocrisy


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Monday, August 31, 2015

Josh Duggar Goes to "Long-Term Treatment Center"



Josh Duggar's scandals just keep snowballing. First there was the child sexual abuse scandal, then the revelation that Josh Duggar had an account with marital affair website Ashley Madison. Now, not only has an adult film actress accused Josh Duggar of violence, but Josh himself has sought treatment at a dubious Christian treatment center.

According to In Touch Weekly, adult film actress Danica Dillon claimed that she had sex with Josh Duggar. Duggar reportedly became violent with Dillon during the encounter, which Dillon described as "traumatic" and "terrifying". Dillon's accusations, combined with Josh's abusive behavior as a teenager, paint a picture of a predatory man with a deep-seated sense of sexual entitlement. Did Josh Duggar reportedly assault Dillon because he considered her a "fallen" woman who could be mistreated with impunity? Or, is assault what Josh thinks sex is? Did Josh assault other women? The implications are chilling.

I wonder how much Josh Duggar's fundamentalist upbringing exacerbated his predatory tendencies. In the Quiverfull subculture, youth receive little to no education on healthy sexuality, consent, and communication between partners, leaving youth ill-equipped to explore their sexuality in healthy ways. To boot, the Quiverfull subculture is rigidly patriarchal, assigning men authority over women and reducing women to submissive helpmeets. How much of Josh Duggar's sexual mistreatment of women and girls was rooted in Quiverfull's misogynist messages?

A family as mired in Quiverfull fundamentalism as the Duggars may well be in denial about how their subculture warped Josh's sexuality, as Quiverfull survivor Vyckie Garrison observed on Facebook. Garrison argues that the Duggars are hardly in a position to help Josh because the only tool they can offer him is inadequate religious doctrine.
"Jim Bob and Michelle have absolutely NO IDEA how to help Josh. They did everything they knew to do to ensure that Josh enjoyed perfect, godly marital bliss: they sheltered him by homeschooling and cutting out all access to evidence-based sex ed as well as all sensuous, worldly media, they protected him via modesty and purity culture, they kept him from the "divorce practice" which is dating and followed the courtship model to get him safely to the marriage altar.

And despite all of their efforts - and anyone who is not a fundamentalist Christian knows, BECAUSE of all their efforts - Josh turns out to be a total creepy-ass sexual freak!

Now all Jim Bob and Michelle know is to pray and trust God. That's it. They believe that God will work all things together for good, and they can't even imagine what sort of miracle He's going to pull off, but all they can do is trust and wait on Him. And in the meantime, what to do with Josh? At least by sending him off to "rehab," he's not their problem - let RU deal with him, let the Holy Spirit deal with him. So long as Jim Bob and Michelle never have to actually deal with their own son."
Josh seems to understand that he has a problem, or at the very least that he must make a public display of contrition. An August 26th statement at the Duggar family website states that Josh Duggar checked himself into a "long-term treatment center" as part of his "long journey toward wholeness and recovery". Whether Josh is seeking treatment for his alleged pornography addiction or for his immoral behavior as a whole is unclear.
"We are so thankful for the outpouring of love, care and prayers for our family during this most difficult situation with Josh. As parents we are so deeply grieved by our son’s decisions and actions. His wrong choices have deeply hurt his precious wife and children and have negatively affected so many others. He has also brought great insult to the values and faith we hold dear. Yesterday Josh checked himself into a long-term treatment center. For him it will be a long journey toward wholeness and recovery. We pray that in this he comes to complete repentance and sincere change. In the meantime, we will be offering our love, care and devoted support to Anna and our grandchildren as she also receives counsel and help for her own heart and future. During this time we continue to look to God—He is our rock and comfort. We ask for your continued prayers for our entire family." 
According to Gawker and Entertainment Tonight, Josh Duggar may be participating in a Christian addiction treatment program in Rockford, Illinois called Reformers Unanimous (RU). Reformers Unanimous is a faith-based residential program operated by North Love Baptist Church and co-founded by Paul Kingsbury, an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist pastor. Love, Joy, Feminism has explored Kingsbury's connections to sexual abusers such as Jack Schaap and his alleged failure to notify congregants about a sexual predator in their church. An inauspicious start for Josh's treatment, to be sure!

If Josh Duggar has indeed checked into RU, I have serious doubts about how much guidance they can offer him. First, the lack of medical or counseling credentials of RU's staff should give us pause. Second, according to Gawker, RU's men's program consists of daily devotions, Bible study, and work. Counseling is conspicuously absent from the schedule. To make matters worse, the program's code of conduct forbids any negative speech or "talking about old habits or lifestyles", making it difficult to even bring up personal issues, much less process them. These rules can be summarized as "be cheerful or else".
  • Our program goal is to have all conversation and behavior be Christ-like.
  • Griping, negative criticism, gossiping, complaining, faultfinding, foul language, and sowing discord will not be tolerated.
  • Talking about old habits or lifestyles is against God's word and is not permitted.
  • Failure to turn in a student for a violation of rules will result in your receiving the same punishment. You are not doing anyone any favors by concealing a violation.
Gawker's Ashley Feinberg observes that the fourth rule would create a sense of distrust and fear among participants, who would constantly worry about being punished for missing someone else's misbehavior.

The problems with treatment at an un-credentialed Bible-based residential center are numerous. Neil Carter describes the problems with this approach in an August 27th post at Godless in Dixie.
"This gets at the heart of what’s wrong with the entire culture in which this family lives. Fundamentalism teaches you to treat the Bible as if it is a resource designed to dictate how to live and think about every area of your life. You need life advice? Read the Bible. You need marital help? Read the Bible. Business principles? Bible again. You need a workout program? Read the Bible; there’s gotta be one in there somewhere. Sexual dysfunction? Well, the Bible of course!

And so the unhealthy cycles of abuse continue because at no point will families like this turn to real professionals for help. They don’t trust them because they’ve been taught to believe that those godless secular heathens are being blinded by the Devil.

How can you reason with that? You can’t. It’s a useless conversation because they’ve been taught to disregard empirical observation and credentialed support. It’s a crisis of trust, and families ensnared in this culture cannot accept outside help because they alone are in God’s design and everyone else is going to perish.

I’ve encountered a measure of this mentality myself, and it’s angering to watch. The only hope for people in their situation is to get out of it. Leave that culture behind and discover a larger world beyond the confines of the religious tradition they inhabit. It’s never going to get any better if they don’t leave it behind."
In my opinion, Josh Duggar's behavior is not the result of addiction, but of entitlement, selfishness, and toxic attitudes. Until he feels genuine remorse for his behavior and takes responsibility for his actions, true change will be out of his reach. Josh needs professional therapy that will bring him to that point, not a Bible study.


To read additional commentary, visit the following links.

Love, Joy, Feminism: “Terrifying” Josh Duggar Porn Star Allegations Reveal the Depravity of Evangelicals’ Sexual Ethic

The Daily Beast: Josh Duggar’s Fall From Unholy Grace: Sex Abuse, Affairs, and Now Rehab

Godless in Dixie: Josh Duggar’s Rehab Facility Knows Way More About Recovery Than Those Silly Doctors


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