Congressman: Divorce as "dangerous" as gay marriage!

[Bluebear]

Look out, heterosexuals in marital discord, you're next!

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Indiana Congressman John Hostettler says divorce is as dangerous to society as gay marriage.

The Republican Congressman also told a gathering of clergy at Crossroads Christian Church in Evansville yesterday that churches are essential to strengthening families.

He calls marriage "the picture of Christian salvation."

He says any diminishing of marriage must be fought in public policy and that religious faith needs to have a greater presence in public policy decisions.

Hostettler has won a string of generally close elections in southwestern Indiana's Eighth District since he first won his seat in 1994 with strong support from religious conservatives.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=3761349

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Divorce

is important to be able to obtain-think of all the people in abusive relationships, or those married to philanderers or to those who have a destructive lifestyle (addiction) that they refuse to change?

[Bluebear]

2. Evidently this evangelical Congressman would answer "tough"

:eyes:

[wake.up.america]

3. Rush must be one of the most dangerous men on the planet.

[aden_nak]

17. They just need the healing power of Jeeeeeeeeee-zus.

And as a good Christian, it is your duty to endanger yourself and give up your entire life in an attempt to save them.

I mean, clearly, that's the fair thing.

/sigh

[NC_Nurse]

4. The usual

oversimpliflication of a complex issue. What else is new.

I do like the "Marriage is 'the picture of Christian salvation'" Does he mean like nailing yourself to the Cross? Now THAT'S an attractive idea for the young folks! :D

[kcwayne]

5. Do you suppose the Congressman ever said that to his idol ...

which I presume is Ronald Reagan

[jmm]

6. Does this mean they'll stop trying to name everything after Reagan?

I guess all these divorced people are dangers who must be stopped-

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Sen. John Warner (Va.)
Sen. Kit Bond (Mo.)
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Colo.)
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas)
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.)
Bob Dole
Newt Gingrich
Dick Armey
Phil Gramm
George Will
Rush Limbaugh
Bob Barr
Alfonse D'Amato
John Warner
Susan Molinari
Henry Kissinger

[Bluebear]

8. Well, now that you mention it that list is full of dangerous people

Maybe there's something to this! ;)

[WoodrowFan]

7. I thought for sure

this was going to be Mike Pence...

[Inland]

9. Hope springs eternal.

I'm sure the congregation was one quarter to one half divorcees.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. LOL, the fundies are going to have a fit

Doesn't he know Fundie Christians have the highest rate of divorce in the country?

[zbdent]

11. He's going to earn the wrath of

Giuliani, Gingrich, Bob Dole, Rush, and quite a few others . . .

[Vinca]

12. and chocolate chip cookies contain demon seeds . . .

is there a reason these people can't find a life???

[karynnj]

13. But doesn't Massachusetts have the lowest divorce rate

So shouldn't the Congressman ask for a study to see what Massachusetts is doing right? Must be something.

[theHandpuppet]

15. Conservative Christians have the HIGHEST divorce rates

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm

It's not gay folks who are undermining the "sanctity of marriage"!

[Orangepeel]

14. I think divorce is MORE dangerous than gay marriage.

but then, I don't think gay marriage is at all dangerous.

[kbm8795]

16. I always expected them to go after divorce

next - in Ohio, they started pushing for the "covenant" marriage, where parties sign a pre-nup further restricting their ability to end their marriage. Religious Right wingnut push this as a healthy alternative to "liberal" marriage laws (though anyone I've ever known who has gone thru the trauma of divorce hasn't felt the laws were so liberal). Ironically, they still don't see the hypocrisy in adding an "out" to a vow before God and the State to honor and cherish for a lifetime.

They also don't get the idea that the success of marriage has little to do with being gay or straight, and a whole lot more to do with a person's character. Clearly, given the many reports of Republican public officials with questionable conduct in their personal lives and relationships, these proposals have more to do with disciplining themselves than anyone else - but then, they'll never admit to that either.

[Darkhawk32]

18. When white, Christians from the south and midwest STOP having the highest

and second-highest rates of divorce in the country, THEN AND ONLY THEN, can they speak of the "sanctity of marriage" and how divorce is evil (or whatever).

Otherwise, STFU.

[npincus]

19. Is that why Republican hypocrites hide their adulterous affairs?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

[win_in_06]

20. What does he want, a Constitutional Amendement to ban divorce?

[Bluebear]

21. I am sure he would love that and welcome to DU! nt

[kentuck]

22. That means Ronald Reagan was a dangerous man ?

He was divorced.

[Nikki Stone 1]

27. My thoughts exactly!

:)

[Mountainman]

23. How soon until we find a couple of bimbos in his closet?

[AndreaCG]

24. Someone should dig in his closet

I bet he is or has screwed around on his wife.

[Albert Einstein]

25. Let's not join the "me" generation. Families need to stay together.

Much of the poverty in America is caused by the breakups of families. One girl I knew went from well-to-do to poor overnight because her parents broke up. It's always the women and children who suffer from divorce. There should be laws mandating permanent support for broken families of the same about they had when they were together.

[musette_sf]

26. I sure hope you had the sarcasm key on for that one.

Of course people seeking to have a good marriage should know that you don't just leave at the first sign of trouble and/or inconvenience. But your blanket statement is scary. It is far more harmful for a family to "stay together" with an abusive and/or violent parent, than for the couple to split.

Solutions to the problem you cite include (1) access to low-cost, high-quality child care; (2) access to worthwhile career training, if needed; (3) access to equal pay and opportunity for equal work.