Same-sex "marriage" bill passes Executive Committee

The Illinois Senate Executive Committee approved - along partisan lines - the so-called Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (SB10) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) hopes to pass the Act on St. Valentine's Day, in what can only be called a great distortion of authentic love:

"Same-sex couples want to marry," sponsoring Sen. Heather Steans said, "for the same reason we all do: For the common respect, commitment to families, the obligation and the benefits that come with marriage."  

Steans, also a Democrat from Chicago, shepherded a similar bill to the floor just after New Year's - in the final days of the last General Assembly - but scuttled a floor vote when she couldn't count on enough votes. She said a change in the language makes it clear that churches and other houses of worship will not be obligated to solemnize gay unions. But Republicans remain concerned that religious organizations will be sued over shutting their doors to same-sex celebrations. 

Sen. Dale Righter, through his questioning of the legislation's supporters, was able to establish that those institutions' obligations are covered by the state's human rights law. The gay-marriage measure doesn't address the responsibilities of any place deemed a "public accommodation," and Righter, R-Mattoon, said the matter won't be settled until expensive and time-consuming lawsuits are settled. 

"Now we have to evaluate what public accommodations are for purposes of whether or not churches would be required to allow same-sex couples to use their facilities," he said [more].

 

When the Illinois Legislature passed the so-called Religious Freedom Protection and Marriage Fairness Act, we were told, on the floor of the House, that the new law would not affect adoptions and foster care.  Within a year, Catholic Charities was forced out of adoption and foster care services.

If you actually think that this new legislation will not affect the religious freedom of those who recognize the truth that marriage can only be contracted between a man and a woman, you are willfully turning a blind eye to history.

Please, contact your State Senator and Represtentive and ask them to protect your religious liberty by voting "No" on SB10.