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Million voters overruled by 54 lawmakers 
Deadline approaches for petitions to keep traditional marriage

For 148 years Oregon has recognized marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and voters four times have addressed the issue, most recently in 2004 when they collected more than a million votes and by a substantial 57-43 percent margin decided to keep traditional marriage.

But 54 state lawmakers and a Democratic governor, Ted Kulongoski, have rejected the expressed will of the people to approve and sign into law House Bill 2007 and Senate Bill 2 this year, opponents say.

The two laws make up a combination that bestows on same-sex couples all the rights given married couples, critics said, and provides vast new legal power for those who choose homosexual, bisexual, or other alternative lifestyles in their newly designated status as protected minorities.

There must have been at least some concern about the mandate from citizens about marriage, because the newest incarnations include a requirement for a public education program, which horrified opponents say specifically seeks to change the attitudes of those who don't support homosexual duos.

Marylin Shannon, a former state lawmaker, is working with Let Oregon Vote, one of the multiple family-oriented groups that have taken on the goal of collecting nearly 55,000 petition signatures (actually 55,179) to bring those legislative votes before the people of Oregon.

She said Oregonians have never given a million votes to any other issue or candidate, yet the Legislature went ahead with its moral agenda anyway.

Now, she said, a Sept. 26 deadline is fast approaching for the petition signatures to be assembled and presented to the state, for a determination on whether the people of that state will get their way, or whether the politicians will impose a change that has been described as "transforming."

"Thirty-four of 36 counties said, 'We want marriage to be between one man and one woman,'" Shannon told WND. "But the legislators from Portland put their values on the whole state."

On the Let Oregon Vote website, where information about the campaign is being coordinated, officials noted that Oregonians have voted four times on statewide "gay rights" plans.

Over those time it took for those votes to be assembled, homosexual rights advocates have lost nearly 40,000 supporters. "Conversely, voters holding to our heritage and values increased in numbers by nearly 400,000," the group said.

The designation of homosexuals as a protected class gives them the weight of civil rights laws to demand preferential treatment, even to the point that observers have warned that a Christian church could be forced to hire a homosexual or lesbian as a youth leader or secretary.

"Absolutely, it will take an effort all the way up to the [petition] deadline," said Shannon. "But I believe we are going to make it."

She said she observed the pro-homosexual lawmakers who held the majority in the Oregon Legislature. "They were intoxicated with their power. They had the power and they were going to do it," she said. Several issues were raised during debate, such as the law's impact on prisons and other institutes, but lawmakers decided against addressing those concerns.

John Fortmeyer, publisher of the Christian News Northwest has reported that it's apparent the pro-homosexual community is concerned that the voters – again – will choose traditional marriage.

An organization called Know Thy Neighbor, he reported, in a maneuver some residents could find intimidating, is planning to obtain – and publicize – the names of everyone who signs a petition seeking to have voters address such defining issues as marriage.

Among the groups supporting the initiative effort are Concerned Oregonians, Restore America, the Oregon Republican Party, Oregon Family Council and others.

Shannon said one group that is very active is called "Reclaim the Vote" and is made up primarily of young Russian Christians who have come to the United States in recent years.

"We're all prayer warriors that just felt like we needed to do something," Shannon said. "If there is ever a time to step up and be counted, this is the time."

An analysis by the Let Oregon Vote website noted that there's no documentation of a need for the classification of homosexuals among "protected" minorities.

It also fails to provide a sufficient religious exemption to protect churches and religious organizations from being forced to hire homosexual individuals, and further it leaves to "a court to decide what is or is not closely connected with the primary purposes of the church."

The pair of plans would require school districts to teach homosexual, bisexuality and transgenderism in their classrooms, and the domestic partnership proposal itself, would create discrimination, the analysis said.

"Only two unrelated individuals of the same gender can enter domestic partnerships. A man and a woman cannot choose to enter into a domestic partnership. Their only option in marriage," it said. "If domestic partnerships are genuinely distinct from marriage, Oregon should allow all heterosexual and same-sex couples to choose a domestic partnership," it said.

The Oregon Family Council notes that both of the plans "are deeply troubling."

"They legitimize a lifestyle that the Scripture clearly condemns and we believe holds trouble consequences for Oregon's future. … We are dedicated to continue the fight for traditional marriage in Oregon as long as it takes."

When things like this happen then the government is no longer a government by the people, for the people. Instead it is a government that has moved into communistic control.

Oh wait, i had better idea! Let ALL OF US be lawmakers and result will change.

Well...At least we got the Second Amendment. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v512/Pizza_Al/emotions/yay.gif)

Lord come quickly, as this corrupt world is quickly getting get unbearable.

Amen brother Amen

I would refuse to join same gender together. I mean, who would?

Brothers and Sisters,

I would say that Oregon has big problems, if not now - soon. The vote margin mentioned above really isn't very large. A similar vote in Oklahoma was a landslide, but I don't remember the percentages. I'm wanting to say that only 13% here voted for same sex marriage, but I could be wrong. Regardless, it was a landslide victory here for traditional marriage between 1 man and 1 woman. There were similar landslides in many other states when the people pushed for a vote. I will be praying for the people of Oregon that they will again stop this evil abomination in the eyes of GOD.

Illinois will be joining Oregon before long. Their is currently a bill in progress to change the marriage laws here to allow for same sex marriage. It also has about a 2/3rds approval from the residents of this state. That joined with the fact that Illinois government is predominately democrat I think it will have no problem passing pretty quickly. If it does I will seriously be considering a move to a state that does not permit it.

Well brothers, I know same sex marriage was defeated in 2006.  Arizona became the first state to defeat an amendment to ban same-sex marriage.  I'm praying that will happen for y'all as well.

I forget if Canada has same sex marriage. I hope not  :'(

I'm sorry, brother but they have had it since July 20, 2005.

What happened to our countries? What happened to this beautiful world?  :'( :'( :'(

I can answer that in one word............. satan.

Brothers and Sisters,

As Christians, we can and should be yielded to GOD for HIS use, but we should always remember this world is not our home. Things are going to get MUCH WORSE before the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. We won't be able to stop evil, but JESUS CHRIST WILL at HIS Appointed time.

The Holy Bible tells us that things will get much worse near the end and at the end of this Age of Grace. This will happen and nothing can stop it. The duty of Christians remains the same until JESUS CHRIST catches us up to meet HIM in the clouds - there to remain forever with HIM. Our best path and course is the same as it's always been: GOD'S Path - GOD'S Will for us. The ultimate is GOD working in and through us in whatever manner HE pleases. The work might be small or large, dangerous or safe, or involve any number of other factors. If HE calls us to do anything, HE will equip us for what HE wants done. The key is HIS WILL - not our will.

Love In Christ,
Tom