“I wish I could be a fly on the wall…”

We all have that curiosity… to see into another person life. Is my day to day so very different from theirs? I think this stems from wondering “Am I normal?” Ummmm NO!

There is the curiosity into the life of a person of a different status, race, sexual orientation, celebrity or athlete. I’m sure this list could go on. From this came the inception of reality TV.

Reality TV is like a car crash and we couldn’t seem to turn away. It seemed to start with MTV’s The Real World, New York (1992). I know… 1992!!! I can’t believe it was that long ago. I was so young back then; even I could have been a Real Worlder. Later in the Nineties movies came out about Reality TV and watching people live their lives, The Truman Show (1998) and Ed TV (1999).

Since it began it has really changed. Shows like Real World and the Housewives aren’t the real world. These shows group similar people mix them up like a recipe then watch. Or there are shows like Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which is obviously scripted. Not to say I don’t enjoy watching Gene and his Fred Flintstone antics but I do tire of it since it doesn’t seem real.

We want REAL reality. What do people do with their free time? I’m not talking about those that sit on their butts watching TV. I mean those that get out there and enjoy life. If I’m going to watch Reality TV I want ideas for things I can try. There is so much out there to do and see, personal experience is so much better than watching someone else experience.

So for reality TV these days I might tune into The Discovery Channel or National Geographic but better yet go out and experience my own. Having the blog has given people insight into my world, my reality-ish. The more I write the more I notice around me that’s interesting. Things that people take for granted day-to-day. Since I haven’t been writing as much I haven’t noticed as much, which I didn’t realize until I read a post written by Joshua Becker titled “15 Reasons I think You Should Blog”. This blog post is so right on. Number three he says “You’ll live a more intentional life” and this is so true and can be seen in Facebook. People are tired of boring statuses and pics especially when they see others doing fun things and they want to do, they want to post fun interesting pics and statuses too. They want people to see they are having fun and comment on it. The comments validate “YES! You are having fun! Keep going!”

I want to have my own experiences but then there is this thing called work that gets in the way. Most of us have this burden to bear because we need money to buy us a roof over our heads and food for our bellies.  That damn money! It’s hard to get out there and experience more when time is limited. I’m a single Mom with a full time job. On top of that I have a killer commute and just getting home can take up to 2 hours. I try to take advantage of that time and listen to audio books. I have finally read/listened to books I have always wanted to read but never had time for like Atlas Shrugged.

So for me I have running. I really do suck at it and it comes and goes but it is always there when I need it. Last year I set goals and accomplished them. I ran the Army Ten Miler and I did a half Marathon in Las Vegas. After Vegas it came to a halt. I was tired of it the weather had gotten very cold and I made a ton of excuses. I have finally started back and it is a Beotch starting again but I am having small experiences every morning plus connecting with SIL who is running with me.

Ginja is a rower. She has just finished up her second year of Crew and I might add her team kicked some serious DC Area butt this year. Rowing takes a lot of time especially in the Spring. Practice was 5 days a week after school. The kids were bused to the water and wouldn’t get home until 7pm. This is a 12.5 hour day for her. Homework started on the bus either to or from the water. Then weekends are for regattas, this means getting up at 4am to get her there on time. Ginja’s rowing is not only an experience for her but it is for me as well. Any of the parents will tell you that. The first year of rowing was so time consuming for me that I ended up hiring Merry Maids to come in once a month to help me out. That was after a nice little break down after being disgusted on the cleaning I was missing.

Since meeting Hophead I have been experiencing so much more. Hophead is a mountain biker. He has taken me mountain biking and I really can’t wait to do more especially now that I have my own bike. Even Ginja wants to ride. Hophead has a group he gets together with once a week and they ride the trails up in Germantown.

So the three of us all have a little something and we involve each other. Hophead supports Ginja and I with the running and rowing and even gone running with me. We are expanding our experiences and loving it. Last year I had Vegas and took Hophead and this year he has Ireland and is taking me.

Experiences come in many packages and some of it is from others. I don’t want to row but experiencing the rowing world as a parent is fantastic. To experience Hophead mountain biking world and the skills these people have is so wonderful. It’s amazing to see what people have going on out there in the world.

Hophead has a friend that, at this very moment, is mountain biking the Great Divide. I have never heard of the Tour Divide but it is fascinating. We are tracking his friend, who is Northbound, since it started yesterday (6/10/11). THIS is more fascinating than those reality shows. The Tour Divide is from Canada to Mexico (or vice versa), 2745 miles and three weeks to complete. This is bikepacking at its most challenging. I have to admit I am very curious as to how these people are making it through this challenge but as always there is a film (documentary), Ride the Divide, about it and you can be sure I will be checking it out because, of course, I would love to be a fly on the handlebars.

She has turned out to be an awesome teenager and only giving me mild heart attacks.

Note the hat… It belongs to her boyfriend. Yes I said BOYFRIEND!

Oh and she likes to be called Ginja now… You know… Like ninja.

Mini Red cried for four weeks when Juno left. I didn’t know how to help her but all is right in the world now and they are together once again.

Recently, Mini Red was texting Juno about the Bad Boy she has been chatting with. I call him Bad Boy because although he seems nice enough he was one of the very few that got in trouble and purposefully defied authority when the crew team went to Philadelphia for Stotesbury.  He is the Boy our parents warned us about.

Well… Mini Red texted Juno, excitedly, to tell her that Bad Boy asked her to “Hang Out”.  Juno had the best response:

Oh Cool! But wait… If he want’s you to see his fish tank or Bono CD… DON’T because he doesn’t have either.

I love this girl!

• Opthalmologist office – Picked up new sunglasses… Dropped off glasses for new prescription lenses. The parking lot was nuts!
• Lawyer’s office – To drop off papers
• Seek out auto store. I searched by name (Pep Boys, Trak Auto) and Viper suggests NAPA.
• NAPA store looked shady so I left.
• Stopped at Marshalls and find kick ass 5 inch heels on sale, purchased with money saved on replacing right rear brake light myself.
• Find auto store and purchase bulb. Thanks to my facebook friends for helping me find an auto store.
• Grocery store for Shortbread ingredients
• Home to eat before appointments come to house.
• Set out bowl with butter in preparation for shortbread making.
• Start on bulb replacement of rear light but HVAC dude shows up… Early! YAY!
• Lawn solicitor rings doorbell (rejected)
• HVAC finishes.
• I replace bulb, quite easily… AM AWESOME and empowered! HVAC dude watches. Hmmm.
• Cleaning service arrives, gives estimate. This is so easy AM VERY EXCITED!!! I hire… I need!!!
• Work Call
• Pick up keys at Mom’s to have more made since I gave mine to cleaning service.
• Hardware store to make keys.
• Visit Mom and return her key.
• New door knob, purchased on trip to hardware store for keys, proves a bit more difficult than expected.
• Run to Home Depot for another door knob type – Man behind me was buying wooden stakes for vampire killing, or so he says.
• Make shortbread for Family Dinner Night on Wednesday.
• Waiting for drill to charge so I can get back to working on the annoying door knob.
• Start dinner Mini Red is on her way home. She is being driven by another Crew Mom who is my newest Lady Love bestie . She likes to screw with FN at the regattas. Hehehe
• Mini Red gets home. Not a good day, namely not a good Crew practice plus she is filthy.
• Eat (after Mini Red showers).
• Finish door knob. It’s not perfect but it works and no one will get locked in bathroom anymore, like Mini Red‘s friend who got locked in at 2am a few weeks ago.
• Tidying up so cleaning service can clean TOMORROW! I am so excited!
• Paying bills.

Mini Red is now in High School and back in the Fall she joined the crew team. Crew really agrees with her and she is now friends with a great group of kids. Plus the parents are FANTASTIC. This is the first group of parents I have become friends with and I’m now on a good portion of the committees for the crew team.

So back in the Fall she learned all about crew and even raced in one regatta in Occoquan. I was so proud and seems she could even hear me yelling as she was in the middle of the water crossing the finish line. Crew is doing something for her that I have never seen before and I love it.

The Winter has been too cold to be out on the water so they have been doing Winter Conditioning at the school and using the erg machines. Her blisters and calluses are impressive to say the least.

This week the kids have been going back out to the boat house. Monday the novices had to go take their swim test before going to the boat house. Of course Mini Red passed with flying colors since she has a background in swimming. Afterwards they all dried off and got on their spandex and cold gear to head to the boat house. That’s when Mini Red noticed it… Static cling and Mom’s underwear stuck to her spandex.

Evidently, she started yelling or screaming or something of that nature. She explained to her friends that “MY MOM’S UNDERWEAR IS STUCK TO MY SPANDEX!”

Her friends didn’t seem to see what the big screaming deal was until Mini Red held them out and said, “It’s her THONG!!!”

I am also reminded of last year’s homily where the priest said, “We all give up candy and that’s easy but who can go home after a bad day at work and be Joyful?” That made such a difference in my life and changed the way I viewed Lent. Mini Red enjoyed it too!

I believe I have kept up with the “Joyful After Work” theme but now is the time to stop and re-evaluate. Then every year can just become better and better, right?

I have decided to take on a bit more and this one is a toughie. No cussing in the car or rather no Road Rageous cussing. I am, however, allowing myself to say “POOP”.

Mini Red has been encouraged to choose something in her life to eliminate or improve and really stick to it. Last year she didn’t do so well but at 12 I believe she can learn a thing or two.

What are all you Catholics out there planning on giving up?

Oh and if there is abundance of “Ode De Fish” on Friday’s it’s us Catholics.

This would be her first post if and when we start her blog:

Well hello again faithful readers, What can I say I love writing and have such an opinion that I believe I must share it my beautiful writing for the world.

Most of you must know my Mother’s blog. Life of Red, so I have grown knowing how this feels when people agree with you about bad dates or crazy nun fights. I see my Mom and how she could always find relief in the her writing and that what I have wanted all my life. Finally I got it. Most people say that high school has changed and you dont even know how it is now. There are still boys and drama the only real difference is that there is no longer note passing, just texting. This blog hopefully will give insight on the modern teenager. I feel the same as my Mama does about my writing I feel a release when I write. A feeling no man can make me feel, at least not yet. A reader when reading a piece does not say in there mind that this girl is fat or has acne or some other insulting little private remark, and don’t deny it either. I myself do that when seeing someone who I know auto matically I know I wont like. Like if someone is wearing a pair of adorably cute boots with a shirt I wanted and a coat I would kill for. And yeah I know thats all about the outside right well that what everyone sees first. To quote the movie The Ugly Truth, “Men (and women) are attracted by your looks” I want people to fall in love with me for me. Some people draw or take pictures to show who they are. I would like to see my writing as a way to put my word and my mindset out in the world to see what others think about the same project.

Thank you for coming to my page and reading my first post. I hope many more will come.

With inspiration comes art, and with art comes yourself. – Mini Red a/k/a Ginger

We had a blast!

We got there fairly early and it’s a good thing if you want a good seat in the bleachers.  Otherwise you can sit on the floor on the edge of the flat track but you have to be 18 to be in the front row since a player could be thrown into you. The crowd was minimal but it was a very eclectic group and fun to watch. I thought DC Roller Girls was a team but it consists of several teams for the DC area. A woman with the group in front of us was explaining how the derby works and how points are accrued.

I decided to go check a few things out and found myself at the t-shirt stand. I asked the tattooed girl behind the counter how many teams DC had and who was playing today. She told me DC has the Cherry Blossom Bombshells, DC Demon Cats and Scare Force One. On this night Scare Force One would play against a Philadelphia Team named the Heavy Metal Hookers but the main event was the Cherry Blossom Bombshells vs the DC Demon Cats. She told me if I had any more questions to just stop any of the players mulling around.

When I got back to the seats Mini Red and I shared information we had each gotten. She had been listening in on the rules of the game while I shared the information I had gotten.  We noticed a player from the Bombshells handing out stickers. I wanted to meet this player and get a sticker for Mini Red but Mini Red was hesitant, feeling intimidated by her surroundings and wanted to stay in her seat. I urged her to come with me because I knew she would feel regret later if she didn’t.  She hesitantly agreed but was soon excited to meet, the incredibly nice, Dr. Drea who we even got a picture with.

Roller Derby has an air of violence or so we have been led to believe but to meet these women and watch the game it isn’t like that at all. Of course there is pushing and shoving out there but it isn’t like that in reality at least not in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

Wikipedia states:
“Nearly all contemporary roller derby leagues are all-female and self-organized, and were formed in an indie, DIY spirit by relatively new roller derby enthusiasts. These leagues deploy traditional quad roller skates, and a punk aesthetic and/or ethic is often prominent. Many, if not most, are legally incorporated as limited liability companies, and a few are non-profit organizations. Most compete on flat tracks. Only 4 compete on banked tracks.

Most players in these leagues skate under aliases, many of which are creative examples of word play with satirical, mock-violent or sexual puns, alliteration, and allusions to pop culture. Examples include Sandra Day O’Clobber (Sandra Day O’Connor), Scariett Tubman (Harriett Tubman), Skid’n Nancy (Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen), Goldie Knoxx (Goldilocks, Fort Knox), and Anna Mosity (animosity). Some players claim their names represent alter egos which they adopt whilst skating. By the 2009 season, however, a small number of players on at least three leagues had started skating under their real names.

The names of the bouts themselves are typically as sardonic and convoluted — for example, Nightmare on Hull Street (Nightmare on Elm St.), Seasons Beatings, (Seasons Greetings), Night of the Rolling Dead (Night of the Living Dead); Spanksgiving (Thanksgiving), Grandma Got Run Over By a Rollergirl (Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer), Skate & Destroy Her, Cupid’s Quarrel, Shamrock and Roll, Pushin’ Daisies, Cinco de May-hem (Cinco de Mayo), and War of the Wheels (War of the Worlds).
 
The camp can extend to players’ uniforms as well. Costumes are often inspired by or comparable with rockabilly or burlesque fashions, and tattoos and tutus are commonly in evidence. In some roller derby leagues, showy on-track behavior, half-time entertainment and randomly selected “penalty games” emphasize the “entertainment” in sports entertainment. The extent to which such non-athletic stylizations are embraced varies from league to league, and continues to be a source of some contention.

Inasmuch as roller derby is a contact sport, the risk of injury is non-trivial. Injuries range from common bruises and sprains to broken bones and beyond. As is the case with many sporting events and other large public gatherings, many modern roller derby games are required to be played with EMTs on hand. Some leagues prominently display their injuries, and safety and injuries are a perennial topic on skating blogs and other forums.

Although the 2000s revival of roller derby was initially all-female, some leagues later introduced all-male teams, and co-ed games.”

The Rules (Thanks to Wikipedia):
“Most current roller derby leagues use rules developed by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).  A summary of the WFTDA rules follows:

Roller derby takes place on a circuit track. Offense and defense are played simultaneously. The two teams playing send five players each onto the track — three blockers (defense), one pivot (last line of defense) and one jammer (scorer). Helmet covers are used to display the players’ positions: a striped cover is used for pivots, a cover with two stars is used for jammers, and no cover is used for blockers.

Pivots and blockers from both teams start the game by forming a single pack. In a pack, all players face counterclockwise. The pivots line up next to each other, followed by a layer of four blockers, followed by a layer of two blockers. The two jammers, who are not considered to be part of the pack, are positioned 20 feet behind the pack. At this point, no differentiation need be made between the two teams; as long as the pack formation is as described above, it does not matter if the team members are interspersed randomly in the pack.

The referee signals the start of jam formation by blowing a whistle. During jam formation, the entire pack moves counterclockwise, during which time players can change position. All pivots/blockers must remain in the pack (i.e., no more than 20 feet in front of or behind the largest group containing blockers from both teams). Jammers remain stationary during jam formation. When the last person in the pack has passed where the front of the pack was initially lined up, the referee blows the whistle twice, signaling the jammers to take off, and play begins in earnest with a jam.

A jam is a 2-minute countdown period during which both teams attempt to score points. Points can only be scored by the jammers, who, moving counter-clockwise, attempt to pass the pack and lap around as many times as possible. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they legally pass an opposing blocker/pivot. During a jam, all pivots/blockers must remain in the pack. Pivot/blockers attempt to assist their jammer through and out of the pack while simultaneously stopping the opposing jammer from exiting the pack. If a pivot/blocker falls or otherwise becomes separated from the pack, she is out of play (i.e., cannot block or assist the jammers) until she catches up to the pack.

The first jammer to legally pass all pivots and blockers once the jam begins wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time before the 2 minutes are up. She does this by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam.

After a lead jammer has been established, both jammers have the option of passing their positions to their teams’ respective pivots (passing the star). This is done by removing the 2-star helmet cover and handing it to the pivot. The pivot then becomes the jammer, and the jammer becomes the pivot for the remainder of the jam. If the original jammer was the lead jammer, the position of lead jammer is not passed on; the position is forfeited for the remainder of the jam.
 
To impede the progress of the opposing team’s jammer, players may block using body parts above the mid-thigh, excluding forearms, hands, and head. Elbows may not be used in blocking, and cannot be swung at other players or used to hook an opponent’s or teammate’s arm.

Each game consists of two 30-minute or three 20-minute periods. At the end of each jam, players re-form the pack and continue play.

Penalties are given to skaters who block illegally, fight or behave in an unsporting manner, or otherwise break the rules. Possible penalties include sending players to a penalty box (during which time opposing jammers score for opposing skaters in the penalty box when they score their first point in each pass) and expulsion of players. A skater goes to the penalty box for 1 minute immediately upon incurring a major penalty, or after accumulating 4 minor penalties.”

Mini Red picked up on everything about this game pretty darn fast. I was a little delayed since my ADD had me trying to watch too much including the crowd. By the end we were screaming and yelling for the Cherry Blossom Bombshells who lost to the DC Demon Cats by a mere 6 points in the last round.

As we left Mini Red hugged me and thanked me and said she had a ton of fun and can’t wait to come back. She has now added skates, pads and a helmet to her Christmas wish list. Plus she has picked a name for her Roller Derby persona… Ginger Slap!

Floor SeatingRoller Derby is a family affair as seen by Lady M-80, hubby and their sleeping baby

Roller Derby is a family affair as seen by Lady M-80, hubby and their sleeping baby

Whiplash Wendy and Ivana Rock from Philadelphia's, Heavy Metal Hookers watch the Main Event

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn’t change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

WOW! 

Topics like this are something I tend to shy away from but what is going on here is just not right.

I’ve been falling away from the Catholic Church, where I was raised, for years now. Recent events tell me I’m headed in the right direction.  I cannot get into to expressing the things that yank my chain with this church and then this!

I’ve taken the basis of my Catholic upbringing and became more of a “Cafeteria” Catholic. You know… Pick and choose. I brought my daughter up in the Catholic Church and sent her through CCD (Catechism classes). I tried to be a good Catholic but a little over a year ago the guilt of missing church went away.

My feelings about the Catholic Church I’ve kept from Aunt Dot. She has gotten grumpier and grumpier as time goes on and I can’t blame her especially since she can’t walk anymore. At least she has stopped asking me about getting an Annulment. Every once-in-a-while she will mention something that is going on. Not to long ago she was telling me something about how the Church was kicking some people out because of a certain issue. Even though I was only on the phone when she told me about this I could almost see her among the Catholics with their torches.

Although I don’t agree with the Church on that issue I couldn’t help but ask her, “Why not just envelop these people with love and help them understand?”

She yelled, “NO!”

I was a bit taken aback, “You can’t help them understand by loving them???”

“No! That’s not what Father says!”

“So you just oust them?”

“Yes.”

There was no use in talking to her, it was useless. As if she was in a cult and couldn’t think for herself. I won’t ever try and talk to her about any issues again.

I told Mini Red about this current issue and what the Catholic Church is doing. I try and answer any questions she has and let her make her own decision on topics. It’s kinda interesting to watch really.

She was outraged.

She was so outraged that she Facebooked it. 

Oh boy… Here comes another life lesson. A lesson on Politics and Religion among your peers in an open forum.

Here’s what happened:

Mini Red Facebook status: Did u hear that the church says that if D.C. lifts the law on Gay marraige they will no longer help with the homeless in D.C. Doesnt really seem Godly to stop helping others because u wanna just be a stuck up little BIshop (yes i did mean bitch)
 
Boy 1: i actually support the church on this one, gay marriage is wrong

Boy 2:  Well Boy 1 You are wrong in the fact that You do not chose to be gay or straight but it is in your genetics. So when you say wrong what are you saying, there made wrong, Well if they were ask god. If he wanted people that way he would have them that way. The Church is Fucked up

Boy 3:  fuck u Boy 1 there people just because u case a fucking republican douche bag doesnt mean u should hate gays

Boy 1: im like anti republican…. wat r u talking about… gays dont deserve rights.

Boy 3:  douchebag u think woman shouldent ether wtf asshole

Boy 1: ur an asshole, shut up faggot

Boy 3:  im an ass hole but i dont want to oppress gay people

Girl 1: Boy 1, get a life. I support gay marriage! And Boy 1…you may end up being one…

Boy 3:  i agree with Girl 1 

Girl 1: ^-^

Boy 3:  she agrees with Girl 1 too

Girl 1: dude u fail …that was me

Boy 3:  i know

Girl 1:  then why did you say she agrees with Girl 1 too? lol

Boy 3:  because im like that

Girl 1:  BOY 3

Boy 1: Excuse me? You guys are all retarded

Boy 3:  no just not fucking oppressive

Boy 1: —-No rights for gay people—-

Boy 3:  no rights for statists

Boy 1: i have no idea what that means

Girl 1: You are fucking retarded Boy 1…you should go to hell and live there…there may be a place for you.

Boy 1: u no what fine be like that Girl 1, fuck you, fuck you all

Boy 3:  because u r one

Girl 1:  Hey Boy 1 if you dnt support gay marriage then leave this status alone…its for people who support gay marriage…so fuck off and burn.

Boy 3:  DIE FAKE EMO DIE

Girl 1: I agree with Boy 3

Boy 3:  DIE BOY 1

Boy 1: DIE ALL OF U!!!! BOY 3 UR A FAG! GIRL 1 YOUR A BITCH! NOW BURN

Boy 3:  FUCK U BUSHES BITCH

Boy 1: I FUCKING HATE BUSH YOU RETARD

Boy 3:  BULL SHIT

Boy 1: I HATE BUSH, REPUBLICANS, MORMONS, AND GAYS

Girl 1:  This is pointless Boy 3

Boy 3:  BOY 1 THAT MAKES U A RETARD AND UR LIEING TO YOUR SELF SO DIE

Boy 1: burn in hell Boy 3, just like you can support gay rights, i can oppose gay rights

Girl 1:  Fuck this.

Boy 3:  ya really im done dude

Boy 1: me too

Boy 4:  FUK U BOY 1 U CANT BE HATING ON MORMONS…..IM GONNA FUK U UP TOMORO >:(

Boy 3:  ill help

Girl 1:  @Boy 4: LMAO

Mini Red turned to me last night and her face was red. She was so mad at Boy 1. There was so much she wanted to say.

I just put my hand on her shoulder and said, “You can’t change people. You can discuss calmly, if possible. More often than not you have agree to disagree. This conversation on your Facebook is not calm at all. Think very carefully before you put a topic such as this out in an open forum again.”

Personally I had a mix of emotions reading what these teenagers had to say.  It’s amazing to see them all become aware of the world around them and develop their own opinions. It’s also interesting how they handle it but violence is not the way.

So Mini Red defriended Boy 1.

****UPDATED with a very valid response****

From Will:

“I agree with the Archdiocese”

You know Red, I find it interesting that you brought this comment up. As you say that you usually shy away from these sorts of things, I think it is something that should be brought up.

I for one support the Archdiocese for its decision. At first glance, I was appalled. But as I really read and dug into the article I found that the Church has no other option than to severe its contract with the city.

If you read it closely, the D.C. City council is “not requiring religious organizations to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But [that] they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.”

The problem is Red, the D.C. City Council is making a religious organization do something in which a religious organization does not believe in. As well, they would be required to offer, as the article quotes, “employee benefits to same-sex married couples”. This would mean that the Catholic Church would be required to acknowledge same sex marriage.

Which please do note, the article stated in quotations what is above…which means, the church does hire homosexuals and allows them into church. I guess its more tolerant than previously thought!

So if I’m the Archdiocese and I see this, I’m saying…we cannot agree to this…this is against some of our core beliefs! I mean, if we have a contract with the city as a social concerns program, we can’t keep our contract with the city or we would be breaking the law. I think we’re going to have to stop all of our social concerns contracts with the city.

Whats stunning to me is that the District is trying to put a law out that would make it illegal for my church to respectfully decline a same sex marriage because my church doesn’t recognize same sex marriage. Thats telling a religious organization what to do. Many are against the mixing of church and state, yet a government can now tell a religious organization what it can and can’t do….that is what is appalling.

They even voted against a referendum, which the Church supported, that would allow individuals, based on their religious beliefs, to decline to provide services for same-sex marriages.

Now, the church isnt saying that its not going to shelter the homeless, its not saying that they won’t do their duties of stewardship. What it IS saying is that based on this law…we can no longer have a contract with you as a social concerns organization. Sadly, yes, provisions for the homeless will be lessened and not as readily available as before…but not because the Church will no longer spend money on the homeless. While the Church was apart of the social concerns program for the city, the Church used $10 million of its own money for social concerns programs….The D.C.government, $8.2 million…not even half. The Church will do what it always has done for the homeless. However it will not use the aid from the City to do it since it cannot follow its new law.

Yes, some of the homeless might suffer, but not because of the Church. The Church has certain values which will not change and they have been this way for thousands of years.

The D.C. government is the one that is alienating certain religious groups based on this law. Yes, it is not saying that the Church has to perform same sex weddings; however, they must follow the law against discrimination against gays and lesbians…Thats stupid. Were not really going to make you do this, but if you don’t its against the law!Thats like 2 people having this conversation:

Girl #1: “I want you to prove your love to me by holding me tight in your arms.
Boy #1: Ok, so I’ll use my arms.
Girl #1: Well, im not saying you can’t use your arms, but you can’t use any of your limbs to do it.
Boy #1: So, can I use my legs?!
Girl #1: Well, I’m not saying that you can’t use your legs, but legs fall under the catergory of limbs…better yet, you really can’t do by touching me at all!

Its like talking to a wall!

(I think I got that conversation from one of the conversations with one of my ex’s)

If the law passes, there is no way out for the Church other than to cut off ties with the City and continue its service to the community on its own.

Don’t damn the Church, its the government forcing the Church to separate itself.

****Another valid response****

From Stephanie:

William, while your argument is well thought out and articulated I believe it misses the point that part of a government’s job is to promote social change and justice.  If an organization cannot accept an edict because of ‘religious beliefs’ then it should not get government money for its services.  50 years ago a church could have used the same excuse because of inter-racial marriage or woman working or voting or desegration of schools, etc.  Would you have a problem then with the Church’s position? Realize many of these things would not be accepted as social norms had the government not helped force the issue.  If the National Guard had not shown up to escort Vivian Malone and James Hood past Gov. Wallace and AL state troopers at University of AL do you think they would have ever made it in?

If an organization (whether commericial, public or religious) hires a person and does not offer it the same benefits as others then it is discrimination no matter how you frame it.

Discrimination should NOT be tolerated.  Not in the “Land of the Free”.