SOUTH CAROLINA: Motion To Intervene Claims Gay Marriage Will Force Man To Stop Worshipping God

If nothing else, the various same sex marriage rulings striking down gay marriage bans are shining a spot light on the absolute insanity of the Christofascists.  Prior posts have looked at the batshitery in Kansas were a clearly deranged straight couple alleged that same sex marriage would steal their property rights in their marriage.  Fortunately, the Court did not buy their insane argument and denied their motion to intervene.  Now, an even more insane claim has come out of South Carolina where an obviously mentally ill individual filed a motion to intervene claiming that same sex marriage deprived him of his right to worship.  The deranged rant - full of misspellings - can be found here.  Here's a sampling of the raving lunacy:

DON BOYD, MUSICIAN AND PSALMIST, Anointed and Assigned as a Watchmen of the souls of the people errantly calling themselves lesbian and gay WOULD PURSUE DISMISSAL of what is in essence and in truth a RELIGIOUS matter couched of late as a secular deprivation of constitutional rights by the Gay Agenda (of said people errantly identifying and calling themselves lesbian and gay) apostate and rebellious from The Most High GOD and Creator LORD of all the Earth, covetous of the Portion of those marrying and given in marriage in this world, troubled and incited of that Wicked One Lucifer the Devil unto discontent with Divine Constraint their Portion and glorious Calling in this life unto Reward of the Next. [snip] Any ratifying of gay "marriage" would compel me to leave off worshipping THE LORD with music and psalms - free exercise of my religion -to assume the life of a protester and wedding crasher.

As I have said before, I wonder at times how individuals become so insane and untethered from objective reality.  Yes, it is scary, but it is the true face of conservative Christian - and more and more of the GOP base.  And worse yet, it doesn't even get to the issue that these individuals - and officials of South Carolina - are filing motions in bad faith when controlling authority (i.e., the 4th Circuit ruling in Bostic) confirms that their efforts are frivolous and, in my view, meriting sanctions. 

Governor: Pennsylvania Will Not Appeal Gay Marriage Ruling

In a move that will have the Christofascists and gay haters going berserk, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (pictured above) has announced that he will not appeal yesterday's federal court ruling striking down that state's same sex marriage bans.  Previously, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane had refused to defend the ban which she believed to be unconstitutional.  As a result, the ruling will become final and same sex marriages will be allowed to continue and Pennsylvania will recognize same sex marriages legally performed in other marriage equality states (which means at the husband's family reunion in the late summer , we will be married under Pennsylvania law).  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has details:

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration won’t appeal a federal judge’s decision yesterday ruling a state law prohibiting same sex marriage unconstitutional, Mr. Corbett’s administration said this afternoon.

“I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision,” said a statement from Mr. Corbett’s office.

Same-sex couples have already begun applying for marriage licenses across the state and one same-sex couple was wed this afternoon in Allegheny County.

“As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal,” Mr. Corbett’s statement continued.

“Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that Commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.

“It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.”

Some of the plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Philadelphia firm Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, demanded that Pennsylvania recognize gay marriages from other states, while others sought to be married in Pennsylvania.

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III gave both group of plaintiffs what they wanted.  “By virtue of this ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the commonwealth,” he wrote in Tuesday’s decision.

Despite the rants and moans of the Christofascists, the world will not end in Pennsylvania and heterosexual couples will continue to marry and have children.  Absolutely nothing will change except that the Christofascists will not be allowed to force their views on the public and punish gays for their non-compliance with their insidious beliefs.

UPDATED: Not unexpectedly, the hate merchants at NOM have gone into spittle flecked rants over Gov. Corbett's decision to NOT appeal yesterday's federal court ruling striking down Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban.  Here's a sample of the batshitery provided by NOM's Brian Brown:

"Governor Corbett's refusal to appeal this ruling completes the disenfranchisement of the people of Pennsylvania. For years they have been denied the right to vote on marriage. Now Governor Corbett has communicated to citizens of Pennsylvanians who have been fighting to be heard on this issue that he will join the ranks of the political elites unwilling to listen. Accordingly, Pennsylvania's voters must show Governor Corbett that he will be held accountable."

As noted before, Brown's fury is likely driven by his knowledge that his plush six figure income gig may be about over.  God forbid he have to get a real job - or perhaps move to Russia or Uganda.

California Supreme Court Again Rejects Prop. 8 Proponents' Arguments

The supporters of Proposition 8 continue to try to derail the striking down of their hate and animus based agenda.  Their latest attempt sought to claim that a U.S. District Court could not strike down a state wide constitutional amendment.  Like all of these hate merchants' other arguments, the California Supreme Court threw out their claims.  Should they continue to file frivolous petitions and lawsuits, one can only hope that the courts will start imposing sanctions on both the Prop 8 proponents and more importantly, their legal counsel.  The Los Angeles Times looks at this latest defeat.  Here are highlights:

The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to revive Proposition 8, ending the last remaining legal challenge to same-sex marriage in the state.

Meeting in closed session, the state high court rejected arguments  by ProtectMarriage, Proposition 8’s sponsors, that only an appellate court could overturn a statewide law.

A federal judge in San Francisco declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional in 2010, and state officials refused to appeal. ProtectMarriage did appeal, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that initiative sponsors have no right to defend their measures in federal court. The decision left in place the ruling by retired Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker.

In its challenge before the state’s highest court,  ProtectMarriage argued that a single judge lacked the authority to overturn a state constitutional amendment.  The group also contended that Walker’s injunction applied to two counties at most and that state officials had overstepped their authority by ordering county clerks throughout California to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

State officials countered that the challenge was a veiled attempt to persuade a state court to interfere with a federal judge’s order in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Same-sex couples began marrying in California in late June after a federal appeals court lifted a hold on Walker’s injunction. ProtectMarriage went back to the U.S. Supreme Court the following day, arguing the appeals court acted prematurely because the high court’s decision was not even final. The Supreme Court refused to intervene.

Then the group went to the state Supreme Court, asking the justices to halt the marriages immediately while considering the legal arguments. The seven-member court unanimously rejected the request for a “stay” or hold.

Let's be clear.  The Christofascists do not give a damn about the U.S. Constitution and the religious freedom rights of others.  Instead,  they seek to subvert the Constitution and impose a theocracy on America based on their sick, hate and fear based version of Christianity.  They remain a clear and present danger and need to be treated as a threat accordingly.