Matt Baume On The Boy Scouts

PHILADELPHIA: TLC Drops Duggar Family From Summer Block Party Event

Via the Daily Mail:

TLC has pulled Jim Bob Duggar, his wife Michelle and their 19 children from its highly-anticipated Summer Block Party, which is taking place in Philadelphia at noon on Saturday. The family had originally been slated to appear at the event, which features a number of network stars and is open and free to the public - and had even appeared on the party's official poster. But they have since been dropped from the party, while Little People Big World's Roloff family has replaced Jim Bob and Michelle on the poster, according to screenshots from the event's website. It comes just days after a shocking 2006 police report emerged alleging that Josh had molested five young girls in 2002 and 2003 - in some cases, while they were sleeping - and later admitted to it. On Friday, TLC revealed it had pulled 19 Kids and Counting from its schedule - one day after it had decided to run a marathon of the show that heavily featured Josh, which had outraged fans.

TLC has not yet formally canceled the Duggars' show. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

RELATED: Family Research Council leaders Tony Perkins and Peter Sprigg have not uttered a peep on Twitter since last week, forgoing even their usual "God, Guns, & Glory" kind of messages on Memorial Day.

Haters Have The GoFundMe Sadz

Todd Starnes writes at Fox News:

Within hours of the ruling, the Family Research Council facilitated the establishment of a GoFundMe account to help the Kleins raise the money the need. In less than eight hours, more than $100,000 was raised. However, late Friday GoFundMe pulled the plug — sending this message to would-be donors: “After careful review by our team, we have found the ‘Support Sweet Cakes By Melissa’ campaign to be in violation of our Terms and Conditions,” the message read. “The money raised thus far will still be made available for withdrawal.” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins blasted the harsh penalty levied against the Kleins. “The state of Oregon has given a new meaning to shotgun weddings,” Perkins said. “You will be forced to participate in same-sex weddings and violate your beliefs.”

It’s not exactly clear what led GoFundMe to drop the fundraising drive - but Perkins blamed it on gay activists. “This reveals two very important aspects of the redefinition of marriage, Americans are not going along with it and two - the intolerance of those trying to redefine marriage is historically unprecedented,” Perkins said. Samaritan's Purse, a Christian ministry run by Franklin Graham, has stepped up and offered to raise funds for the embattled Christian couple. Aaron Klein told me they will appeal the judge’s recommended fine. “All Americans should be free to live and work by their faith without the fear of the government punishing them,” he told me. Klein told me the gay rights activists won’t be satisfied until her family is living in a homeless shelter.

The Samaritan's Purse fundraising page does not show amounts.

CNN's Chris Cuomo Eviscerates FRC Hater Peter Sprigg Over Indiana's New Law

Mediaite recaps this morning's epic takedown:

"There is a picture that’s circulating around of the governor as he signed [the bill],” Cuomo said. “Several of the people in the picture are outspoken critics of gay existence. Now, that’s not a coincidence. It’s not a coincidence why you’re against it. Let me ask you, why do so many Christians these days believe that the exercise of their faith requires exclusion and judgment of others?” “Some people have a sincere, conscientious belief that marriage is defined as the union between a man and a woman,” Sprigg replied. “In fact the majority of Americans believe that.”

“Popularity is not the ultimate arbiter of what is right and wrong if protecting rights under the Constitution,” Cuomo said. “The question then goes to: why do you need this? What is it about someone being gay or someone wanting to marry someone of the same sex — what is there in that that is keeping you from being the Christian you want to be?…If I said, Mr. Sprigg, you must go marry a man right now, you can say, no, that’s a violation of my faith. Maybe that, you would be able clear this burden. But how is wanting to judge others somehow stopping you from practicing your faith?”

Watch every minute of this and enjoy!

Family Research Council: Racist Fraternity Chants Are The Fault Of Dan Savage

"Dan Savage, who is now having his life story being portrayed on a new sitcom on ABC, you know, here’s a guy that’s responsible for the coarsening of civil discussion and conversation being celebrated, at a time when there are knuckleheads who are still spewing from their lips the sort of nonsense that we’ve heard from these fraternity members."

Peter Sprigg Has The Alabama Sadz

"Most of the media is blaming the current chaos in Alabama over whether same-sex couples will or will not be issued marriage licenses on Judge Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. However, it really should be laid at the feet of U.S. District Court Judge Callie V. S. Granade (pronounced, according to National Public Radio, like 'grenade'). It was Granade’s January 23 decision to blow up Alabama’s one-man-one-woman definition of marriage which set events in motion. Such a judge is not judging, but legislating from the bench in an effort to impose his or her own preferred socio-political outcome. This is not only judicial activism - it is judicial tyranny." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, in a Townhall column titled "Judge Granade Pulls The Pin On Marriage."

Tony Perkins Cheers Idaho Rights Vote

"In Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas, Republicans are moving quickly on measures that would penalize any government employee caught issuing same-sex 'marriage' licenses -- regardless of the courts' orders. Meanwhile, Utah, North Carolina, and South Carolina are desperately trying to give cover to anyone with religious objections to same-sex 'marriage' by drafting bills that would give government officials the ability to opt out of licensing or officiating same-sex couples. The brushfire over religious liberty continues in places like Idaho, where citizens are finally standing up to the government's anti-faith bullies. After three days and hundreds of testimonies (including FRC's Peter Sprigg's), the state's heated debate came to a sudden end when Idaho's House committee downed a Houston-type special rights ordinance that would have punished people with natural views on human biology and sexuality. By a 13-4 vote, Republicans succeeded in killing the measure. In the end, conservatives made it clear to the Left's Add the Words campaign that the only words that matter are the First Amendment's. Congratulations to our friends in the Gem State, who are adding their voices to those across the country who have the courage to fight back against these fierce assaults to our most basic freedoms." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

IDAHO: State House Committee Kills "Add The Four Words" LGBT Rights Bill

Via Boise Public Radio:

After more than 20 hours of public testimony, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee decided to kill the "Add the Words" bill that would ban discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Idahoans. In the nine years that LGBT activists have been fighting for it, this is the furthest the bill has come. Some of the debate among committee members this morning was emotional. "My heart has been touched by this hearing," said Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls. "I've gotten to know you, and I know from this point on forever I will be kinder and I will be compassionate to those who bear a heavy burden." 190 people testified since the hearing began this Monday. According to the Eye On Boise blog, 134 people spoke in favor of the bill, 54 spoke against and two were neutral.

The vote was 13-4 along party lines. Among those testifying on Monday was Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, who has publicly called for "criminal sanctions against homosexual behavior."

RELATED: Yesterday the above sticky note appeared on the front page of the Idaho Statesman and other local newspapers.

Lance Wells, who placed the ad, says he is not in favor of making the change to add “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act. “Coverage has been slanted in one direction for most sources," Wells said. Wells says he is just standing up for his right to speak against adding the words. He says, so far, the feedback has been negative. "The majority of those were negative, some pretty aggressively so. Couple of words I can’t really repeat,” he said. Wells would not say how much he paid for the ad but he says it was worth every penny if it gets his message out there.

His website is here.

Idaho House Committee Hears Testimony On "Add The Words" LGBT Rights Bill

On Monday, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee heard public testimony on the bill that would add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the state's Human Rights Act. Via the Associated Press:

Overall, lawmakers were largely silent during the hearing, asking only a handful of follow up questions and withholding comments. The committee — made up some of the Statehouse's most conservative lawmakers and only a handful of Democrats— met twice Monday and expected to convene Tuesday morning to listen to testimony. Idaho's gay rights supporters not only face opposition among the state's staunchly conservative legislators but also from Idaho's deeply religious population. Some at the hearing testified on Monday that they fear the bill, commonly known as "Add the Words," will infringe on their rights as individuals and business owners. "Don't make laws that protect (against) laws against nature and sexual deviant acts," said Paul Thompson of Twin Falls. "Regardless of sexual orientation, it is a law that makes a mockery of all that is created and to our creator." State Rep. John McCrostie of Boise, currently Idaho's only openly gay state lawmaker, responded that he, too, was a Christian and asked if Thompson's beliefs were greater than his own. "I respect an individual's desire to want to live out their lives as they feel compelled to do so," Thompson said. "But I owe myself authority to the written word of God."

Among those testifying was Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, who has publicly declared that there should be "criminal sanctions against homosexual behavior." Sprigg's ugly anti-gay rant begins at the 45-minute mark in the clip below, but I recommend starting a couple of minutes earlier and listening to the story of a gay Idaho man. An excerpt from Sprigg:

"A business that places unfound prejudice" ahead of serving customers will be punished by the forces of the free market itself. There is no need to bring the heavy hand of government down upon it. We should have faith,that the people who know best how to run a business are the people who own and operate it -- not lawyers, government bureaucrats, or even legislators. And we should have respect for the freedom of businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations to hold to their own, deeply-held beliefs, and to act on such beliefs. Yet this bill would substitute the judgment of government officials for that of private businesses and organizations regarding what qualities or characteristics are most relevant to a particular job, and regarding how to operate their business."

FRC: Keep Gay Blood Ban

Via press release:

The FDA created the rule -- not out of prejudice, but precaution. Now, a growing chorus of liberals is insisting that federal agencies should ignore the risks so that homosexuals feel “more accepted” in society. In other words, the Left is willing to taint the U.S. blood banks to make a political point. If the FDA wants to protect people’s health, it has to be selective. The government can’t afford to contaminate the blood supply just to validate people’s risky sexual behavior. Not to mention, Peter points out, that the very small size of the LGBT population (2.3% according to this year’s CDC survey) means that any potential benefits to the blood bank would be “marginal.” In fact, the only thing they would add with 100% certainty is liability. Yet every year, the government wastes taxpayers’ time and money debating what is nothing but a naked push to normalize and celebrate homosexual behavior. The blood donation policy doesn’t exist to serve a political agenda -- and it shouldn’t be changed to advance one. Even if the new screening can detect virtually all tainted blood, no test is completely safe. And the government shouldn’t be willing to risk America’s blood supply to prove it.

FDA Mulls Gay Blood Ban

Via the Washington Post:

The Food and Drug Administration during a two-day meeting starting today will consider lifting the ban that was put into place in 1983 amid fears — and little understanding — of the AIDS virus. An FDA advisory committee last month recommended that the agency lift the restriction, but only for men who hadn't had sex with other men for at least a year. The scientific and medical communities have increasingly rejected the ban currently in place in the United States. The American Medical Association, the nation's largest physician organization, voted last year to oppose the ban, calling it discriminatory and not based on sound science. Instead, the AMA urged federal policymakers to take a more personal approach assessing each individual's level of risk. The approach recommended by the FDA advisory committee last month falls short of that standard. And it still falls short of what a number of other countries have done to allow blood donations from gay and bisexual men.

Australia, Hungary, and Japan have all recently instituted one-year bans like the one being considered by the FDA. Among those testifying against any change today was FRC vice president and non-scientist Peter Sprigg, who is best known for declaring that sodomy should still be illegal in the United States and that American gays should be exported rather than allowing foreign gays to immigrate here.

This Weekend: Ex-Gay-O-Rama

Last year's big "ex-gay" event was a hilarious disaster in which fewer than ten people showed up after American Family Association radio shrieker Sandy Rios had predicted it would draw "thousands of ex-gays." That failure came after they had canceled "Ex-Gay Pride Month" due to "anti-ex-gay extremism." Several weeks later a massive crowd of tens attended an "Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner" held at a secret bunker deep under Washington DC. This time, the media is invited.

Voice of the Voiceless (VoV) is pleased to extend press credentials for media outlets wishing to cover the 2014 Ex-Gay Awareness Conference, October 3-4, in Washington, D.C. The conference is being co-hosted by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) and Equality And Justice For All (E&JA). Sponsors of the conference include: Family Research Council, American Family Association, Liberty Counsel, Defend Life, The Alliance for Scientific Integrity and Therapeutic Choice, PFOX, VoV, E&JA, and more. A conference and celebration on October 4th featuring former US Ambassador Alan Keyes as the keynote speaker will highlight the many achievements of ex-gays, including Christian singer/songwriter Dennis Jernigan, who will receive the 2014 Courage Award for Former Homosexuals. Other speakers include Matt Barber, Vice President of Liberty Counsel, Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, and a special appearance by American Family Radio personality and former Fox News contributor, Sandy Rios, who will accept the 2014 Friend of Ex-Gays Freedom Award.

Recapping the speakers, we can presume that Matt Barber will let everybody know that non-ex-gays deserve to die of AIDS, Peter Sprigg will call for non-ex-gays to be imprisoned, and Sandy Rios will declare that non-ex-gays are possessed by demons. Awards for everybody!

"Ex-Gay" Awareness Month Is Coming

Last year's big "ex-gay" event was a hilarious disaster in which fewer than ten people showed up after American Family Association radio shrieker Sandy Rios had predicted it would draw "thousands of ex-gays." That failure came after they had canceled "Ex-Gay Pride Month" due to "anti-ex-gay extremism." Several weeks later a massive crowd of tens attended an "Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner" held at a secret bunker deep under Washington DC. Anyway, they're trying again this year and the announced speakers include Matt Barber, Peter Sprigg, Christopher Doyle, and Greg Quinlan, who once told a television audience that Truth Wins Out founder Wayne Besen had threatened to "inject me with AIDS."

FRC VP Peter Sprigg: "Ex-Gay" Torture Should Be Legal Because Robin Williams

"If we were to apply the same standards to drug and alcohol rehabilitation that the homosexual activists want to apply to reorientation therapy, why not ban rehab? After all, since some people go to rehab and still suffer relapses afterwards, rehab is clearly 'ineffective.' Robin Williams actually went to rehab, and shortly thereafter took his own life. Does that not clearly indicate that rehab is not only ineffective, but downright harmful? In addition, there are surely people who consume alcohol or use illicit drugs but are still able to function and make productive contributions to society — so there is obviously nothing inherently wrong with alcohol or drugs. Allowing people who struggle with their alcohol or drug use to seek professional help to discontinue them implies there is something wrong with them — thus reinforcing the unfair social stigma which attaches to people who use alcohol and drugs. And surely 'family intervention' to force someone into rehab is a violation of their personal autonomy. In light of all these concerns, how can we allow the fraud of  'rehab' to continue?" - Peter Sprigg, writing for the Family Research Council's blog.

FRC Loves New Regnerus Study

FRC Has The Executive Order Sadz

"President Obama has ordered employers to put aside their principles, and practices in the name of political correctness. This level of coercion is nothing less than viewpoint blackmail that bullies into silence every contractor and subcontractor who has moral objections to homosexual behavior. This order gives activists a license to challenge their employers and, expose those employers to threats of costly legal proceedings and the potential of jeopardizing future contracts.

"Religious faith is not simply a matter of intellectual affirmation but of active practice. A religious organization which is denied the power to require its employees to conduct their lives in a way consistent with the teachings of their faith is an organization which is being denied the right to exercise its religion, period. People with deeply held convictions regarding the morality of certain types of sexual behavior should not be bound by the dictates of President Obama's agenda.

"The President's policies are keeping the economy in the tank. He strangled the financial and health sectors by passing a health care law that's trampling employers' freedom and crushing their bottom lines. Now, as if those burdens weren't enough, the President's party wants to tell companies how they should run their businesses, and how they can and cannot practice their moral convictions and religious faith. President Obama is legislating without Congress. Now, the American people will be left to sort out the costs to religious and constitutional liberties resulting from this rule by decree." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, via press release.

Peter Sprigg Has The Kentucky Sadz

"Judge Heyburn's contention that 'serious people' don't support the definition of marriage that has existed for millenia, demonstrates a measure of contempt - for tens of millions of citizens - wholly unacceptable from someone on the bench. On the contrary, it is those like Judge Heyburn, who can conceive of no 'rational basis' for distinguishing the type of relationship which reproduces the human race from all other types of relationship, who cannot be considered 'serious people.' Judge Heyburn scoffed at the notion that 'traditional marriages contribute to a stable birth rate.' Yet a correlation between those factors is clear. Recent research showed that the bottom six U.S. states in birth rate had all redefined marriage, while none of the top nine states in birth rate had done so. Judge Heyburn explicitly ignored precedents from both the U.S. Supreme Court regarding state definitions of marriage and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit regarding 'sexual orientation.' FRC urges public officials in Kentucky to immediately appeal today's ruling to the Sixth Circuit and continue to vigorously defend its marriage law." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, via press release.

WASHINGTON: Peter Sprigg Testifies Against Proposed "Ex-Gay" Torture Ban

"At the heart of the attacks on sexual reorientation therapy are two claims-- that such therapies are ineffective, and that they are harmful. However, there is abundant anecdotal evidence that such therapies work -- that is, people who say that they were helped by such therapies to change from predominantly homosexual to predominantly heterosexual. There is also scientific evidence. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality has cited ‘600 reports of clinicians, researchers, and former clients -- primarily from professional and peer-reviewed scientific journals’ which show that 'reorientation treatment has been helpful to many.' The American Psychological Association (APA), under the sway of a small but influential pro-homosexual lobby, has criticized and discouraged (but never banned) reorientation therapy. Yet even the APA acknowledges that ‘participants reporting beneficial effects in some studies perceived changes to their sexuality, such as in their sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual behavior, [and/or] sexual orientation identity." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, testifying before the Washington DC City Council Committee on Health.

FRC Has The Executive Order Sadz

"This political gesture reflects the president's repeated disregard for the legislative process. Congress has not passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) or similar provisions, despite activists' pressure to do so, because of the detrimental impact on employers' and employees' constitutional freedoms of religion, speech, and association. Historically, these kinds of provisions have not been applied to conduct-based distinctions that are not found in the Constitution.

"Today's announced executive order will give activists a license to challenge their employers whenever they feel aggrieved, exposing those employers to threats of costly legal proceedings and the potential of jeopardizing future contracts. Furthermore, by requiring federal contractors to consider characteristics and behaviors related to a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, this policy will make contractors liable for protecting actual or perceived self-disclosed and fluid identities that may not even be known.

"The timing of this announcement is clearly designed to curry favor with activist organizations. While the president prepares to address a New York gathering of gay rights supporters, the American people will be left to sort out the costs to religious and constitutional liberties resulting from this executive order." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, via press release.

RELATED: Sprigg has called for criminalizing homosexuality in the United States and used a 2008 Fox News appearance to declare that gay people should be "exported" out of the country.

Tens Expected To Attend Second Annual "Ex-Gay" Awareness Month Soiree

Remember last year when Ex-Gay Pride Month was canceled due to "anti-ex-gay extremism"? Remember a month later when the AFA predicted that "thousands of ex-gays" would descend upon DC for Ex-Gay Lobby Day? Remember how only 15 losers showed up? Remember last October when tens of ex-gays showed for the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Month gala? Here we go again. Book now, this event WILL SELL OUT.  (Via Good As You)