West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio
What Is Marriage?
The President and CEO of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia says now is the time for a Constitutional Amendment in West Virginia that defines marriage as between one man and one women.
"West Virginians want to define marriage for themselves. The sooner we do that the better," says Jeremy Dys. He says groups pushing for the legalization of same sex marriages are targeting states that, like West Virginia, do not have such Consitutional Amendments.
Connecticut is one of those states. Last week, a court there legalized same sex marriages. Similar steps have already been taken in California and Massachusetts.
Dys says a recent poll shows 73% of West Virginia's registered voters support such a Constitutional Amendment that details the definition of marriage.
"West Virginians want to define marriage. It's just very clear that they want to do that for themselves. They don't want their government setting the policy. I think, most especially, they do not want courts imposing a system that knowingly deprives kids of a mom and a dad," Dys says.
His group had asked Governor Joe Manchin to call an extraordinary session for November so lawmakers could consider the Constitutional Amendment before new legislators take office in January.
The Governor's Office rejected that request saying a Consitutional Amendment is not necessary since West Virginia law already recognizes that same sex marriages are not legal.
Dys says that could be challenged and, likely, will be challenged at some point
(Metro News)
West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio
No Better Time Than Now
A group of West Virginia pastors say state residents support a marriage amendment and there's no reason to delay putting it on a statewide ballot.
The pastors, supporters of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia, were on hand for a State Capitol news conference Thursday. They want Governor Joe Manchin to call a special session next month to deal with the issue.
They delivered an open letter to his office saying. “Our common belief is that marriage is between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings, the reflection of our relationship with God, and a cornerstone of our society.”
The governor has already turned down the request saying marriage is already protected.
Cross Lanes Baptist Church Pastor Seth Polk says an amendment to the state constitution would do more. He says state leaders need to protect what is traditional, historical and biblical in its foundations. He says, if not, there will be a continual moving away from a culture that honors neither God nor family.
A poll commissioned by the Family Policy Council of West Virginia shows 73 percent of registered voters in the state say they would support such an amendment.
Pastor Polk says there's overwhelming support so the time is now. He says he's sure supporters of such an amendment in places like Connecticut, Massachusetts and California now wish they wouldn't have waited. "They had a Defense of Marriage Act on the books as well and through judicial whimsy basically it was struck down and marriage was not defended like it should have been even though those people wanted it," Polk said.
The pastor says there's opposition to the proposal but he says it's not an us versus them mindset. "We certainly don't want to disparage anybody that believes differently than we do, but we believe a great majority of West Virginians value family and they want to defend marriage as well and have their voice on it," Polk said.
(Metro News)
So my friends if these measures pass, I will be sending letters from San Diego as soon as I graduate from Marshall. This is ridiculous, I'm not trying to insult anyone’s religious beliefs, because my attitude is you can worship who or whatever you want. It doesn't affect me one way or the other. But what I don't get is why do these pastors feel like its their right to bring their religion into MY personal life. It just doesn't make any sense to me. If they don't agree with gay marriage. My advice for these people against gay marriage is to not get married to their same sex. Problem solved!!! Let the rest of us love who we want and have the same rights as everyone else. It is people like this that keep WV locked in the stigma of anti progression
The issue of legalizing gay marriage isn't even being pushed in WV. That doesn't so much bother me, because I know its coming eventually. But it’s the fact these "people" are trying to make our state offensive to gays and lesbians. Can WV really afford to lose the gay and lesbian community? Myself and Jake for instance... with our professional degree's, progressive lifestyles, and open beliefs.
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If this happens, I'll be sending post cards from California
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