MICHIGAN: Marriage Lawsuit "Expert Witness" Says Gays Are Going To Hell

Testimony in Michigan's marriage equality finished yesterday, but not before one "expert witness" told the court that gays are going to hell.

"Is it accurate that you believe the consequence of engaging in homosexual acts is a separation from God and eternal damnation?” Mogill asked the state’s expert, then added, “in other words, they’re going to hell?” “Without repentance, yes,” answered the expert, Canadian economist Douglas Allen, the last witness to testify on behalf of the state in a trial that could make Michigan the 18th state to legalize gay marriage. A spokeswoman for Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who is defending the voters’ decision in 2004 to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, said Allen’s religious beliefs do not taint his testimony. “The trial ended on Dr. Allen’s comment that the science on this remains unsettled,” said Joy Yearout. “He was very clear that his personal beliefs have no impact on his research or the data it produces.”

I wrote about Allen last November.

Another familiar name on Michigan's list of defense witnesses is Professor Douglas Allen, of Canada's Simon Fraser University. Allen sits on the board of directors of NOM's hate-satellite, the Ruth Institute. Allen is a supporter of Mark Regnerus and claims to have analyzed a 2000 census and come to the conclusion that "children being raised by same-sex couples are 35% less likely to make normal progress through school."

Last month the SPLC added the Ruth Institute to its list of hate groups. Closing arguments in the Michigan case will take place today. The judge is not expected to rule immediately.