We commend the stand by these local pastors in Hamtramck, led by Rev. Andrew Wesley, a long-time AFA-Michigan supporter. So-called “gay rights” ordinances where adopted have been used to discriminate against and punish Catholic Charities, the Boy Scouts, the Salvation Army and other groups and individuals who refuse to endorse homosexual behavior and cross-dressing.

“The priests at Hamtramck’s three Catholic churches are urging voters to reject an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes legal protection for gays. …In a joint written statement, the priests said ‘the proposed ordinance does not provide new protection for anyone in Hamtramck, except that it gives new rights that would protect homosexual and lesbian behavior, expression and attire.’”

DETROIT FREE PRESS
Detroit, Michigan
October 2, 2008

Priests urge rejection of anti-discrimination ordinance
by Cecil Angel, Free Press Staff Writer

The priests at Hamtramck’s three Catholic churches are urging voters to reject an antidiscrimination ordinance that includes legal protection for gays.
“We have to keep the morals and have the regular families and bring up children according to God’s law,” the Rev. Miroshaw Frankowski, pastor of St. Florian Catholic Church, said Wednesday. “Keep it the way it was from the beginning.”

In a joint written statement, the priests said “the proposed ordinance does not provide new protection for anyone in Hamtramck, except that it gives new rights that would protect homosexual and lesbian behavior, expression and attire.”

Supporters have said the ordinance simply ensures all residents are protected under the law and demonstrates compassionate governance.

The Hamtramck City Council passed the ordinance in June, but opponents gathered enough signatures to place it on the Nov. 4 ballot in hopes of appealing it. The ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and city contracting for several groups, but its inclusion of gays and transgendered people has stirred up controversy.

“We feel that this proposal goes against the rights of straight people,” the Rev. Andrew Wesley, pastor of St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, said Wednesday.

The Rev. Bogdan Milosz, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, also said he opposes the ordinance but declined to say more because he was ill.

Wesley said he has written about the issue in the parish bulletin and spoken with members after mass. “Nobody’s under any obligation to vote one way or another,” Wesley said.

A group Wesley cofounded called Hamtramck Citizens Voting No to “Special Rights” Discrimination will host a rally from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 9632 Conant St.

Akm Rahman, one of group’s founders, said the ordinance poses what he calls a “dangerous threat” to the city.

http://www.freep.com:80/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS02/810020379

AFA-Michigan has joined the call for a nation-wide boycott against America’s largest greeting card company, for aligning itself with liberal activists who want to redefine morality and the institution of marriage. Pro-family groups began the boycott against Hallmark Cards, Inc. after the company introduced new greeting cards aimed at “congratulating” homosexuals who enter into so-called “gay marriage” contracts and “civil unions.”

According to an 8/21/08 news story from the Associated Press, Hallmark spokeswoman Sarah Kolell said the company introduced the pro-homosexual cards in an attempt to be “relevant” to as many consumers as possible.

Yet the Bible states in Isaiah 5:20:

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (NKJV)

It is likewise clear that God is the Author of marriage, and His design is expressed very clearly in the New Testament by Jesus Christ, who declared in Mark 10:6-8:

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.” (NKJV)

Despite these warnings in Scripture, Hallmark now offers cards that celebrate homosexual “marriage.” The cards use various forms of clear homosexual symbolism, including rainbow-colored hearts and an image of two tuxedos, side-by-side.

This is not the only way that Hallmark endorses homosexual immorality. According to the Associated Press, the company also distributes cards designed to “show support” for homosexuals upon their “coming out,” which is a slang term referring to one’s initial declaration of their homosexual perversion.

Despite claiming they want to appeal to as many people as possible, the decision-makers at Hallmark clearly have no problem offending millions of pro-family Americans who know the Bible declares in Proverbs 14:34:

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (NKJV)

This is a defining moment in the war over marriage and the family as an enduring institution. Rather than broadening its customer base, Hallmark is choosing sides in the culture war - - against Biblical morality. After all, endorsing homosexuality is an offense to God, and it is an offense to Bible-believing Christians everywhere.

Hallmark says their move was a result of “public demand,” rather than political pressure. But what if a significant portion of its customers demanded Hallmark discontinue their promotion of homosexuality? Would they reverse course?

“Hallmark’s corporate position helps culturally legitimize and promote so-called homosexual ‘marriage,’ using its customers’ money to do so,” said AFA-Michigan’s Gary Glenn. He added, “Each of us should ensure as a matter of conscience that Hallmark isn’t able to use any of our families’ money.”

“Several years ago, homosexual activists criticized a private school for observing Mother’s Day, since they said it ‘discriminated’ against children ‘who have two (homosexual) fathers’,” Glenn said. “That biological impossibility aside, what will Hallmark do next, remove its Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards to avoid offending homosexual activists? It’s obvious they have no concern about offending Christians and others who believe homosexual behavior is sinful and wrong.”

By signing AFA-Michigan’s SECURE petition, your name and contact data will be compiled with many others from all over the United States who are opposed Hallmark’s pro-homosexual cards. The list will be forwarded to Hallmark Chairman Donald J. Hall along with the verses above and an admonition to stop endorsing homosexual immorality.

Thank you for your support. Let’s pray together for Hallmark to do the right thing and pull these cards from their shelves.