New Poll Reveals More Americans in Favor of Gay Marriage

According to a new National Gallup Poll, the majority of Americans now favor legal gay marriage:

Image from Gallup website

"For the first time in Gallup's tracking of the issue, a majority of Americans (53%) believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages. The increase since last year came exclusively among political independents and Democrats. Republicans' views did not change."

In a recent interview with Christian magazine World, the president of Focus on the Family Jim Daly confessed that his side has "probably lost" the fight against same sex marriage:

"We're losing on that one, especially among the 20- and 30-somethings: 65 to 70 percent of them favor same-sex marriage. I don't know if that's going to change with a little more age—demographers would say probably not. We've probably lost that. I don't want to be extremist here, but I think we need to start calculating where we are in the culture."

"We've got to look at what God is doing in all of this…Have we done such a poor job with marriage, is He so upset with our mishandling of it in the Christian community, along with our lust of the flesh as a nation, that He is handing us over to this polygamy and same-sex situation in order to, perhaps, drive the Christian community, the remnant, into saying, 'OK, there's no no-fault divorce in our church?'"

Focus on the Family is a Christian ministry that helps families and couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design. Also helping parents to raise their children according to morals and values based on biblical principles.

Daly also commented on gay activists view of Christian marriage:

"I sat down with one. He said, 'you guys haven't done so well with marriage. Why are you upset about us having a try?' We've got to look at our own house, make sure that our marriages are healthy, that we're being a good witness to the world. Then we can continue to work on defending marriage as best as we can."

Devin Newkirk, a substitute teacher who is gay, states this information does not come as a surprise.

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“But those people who are die hard fanatics of banning same sex marriage...are already losing, because they haven't learned one of the most important lessons of all.... how to love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Newkirk also considered himself religious and spiritual.

He continues, “Those who are supportive of same sex marriage realized this and have set judgment aside for the sake of there loved ones and for friends and coworkers that they know closely. And so they have fulfilled what God has commanded and judged not...lest they be judged and met with the same measure that they measured.”

 

The results from the National Poll have also brought hope and inspirations to many people.

Leon Acord said via twitter:

“This is why it is SO important to come out.”

Amanda Cutter also said via twitter:

“It's time lawmakers stood up for marriage fairness...”

There have been many reactions to this new poll but the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life revealed a similar like poll in 2010.

“Polls this year have found that more Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally than did so just last year. In two polls conducted over the past few months, based on interviews with more than 6,000 adults, 42% favor same-sex marriage while 48% are opposed. In polls conducted in 2009, 37% favored allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally and 54% were opposed. For the first time in 15 years of Pew Research Center polling, fewer than half oppose same-sex marriage.”

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life purpose is to search and promote a deeper better understanding of the connections of religion and public affair issues.

Image from Pew Forum website

                  

The poll also provides data on how different religions are becoming more in favor of gay marriage.

“The shift in opinion on same-sex marriage has been broad-based, occurring across many demographic, political and religious groups. Notably, pluralities of white mainline Protestants and white Catholics now favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally – the first time this has occurred in Pew Research Center surveys.”

Same- Sex marriage is currently allowed in the few states:  Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, in addition to Washington D.C.

Based upon research and polls American views are changing but with the debate in California shows that there is an opposing side trying to stop and eliminate gay marriage.

However you look at it people views are changing. It just depends which side of the issue you stand on if you consider these changes are for the better or worse.

Sources:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/05/23/focus-on-the-family-ceo-we-probably-lost-fight-against-same-sex-marriage/

http://www.worldmag.com/

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/147662/First-Time-Majority-Americans-Favor-Legal-Gay-Marriage.aspx

http://pewforum.org/

Schwarzenegger Scandal

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Everyone is still digesting the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver has separated after 25 years of marriage but now another bombshell has dropped. Schwarzenegger has announced that he have a 10-year old child by one of his household staff. Schwarzenegger said in a statement obtained by CNN, "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

An article on ABC News website goes in deeper regarding the matter. The article address women who stay with high-powered men after their infidelities and those who decide to leave.

During this tragedy most people are mostly concerned about how their children is handling this situation.

 On Twitter two of the couple's four children decided share some insight on how they are feeling. Their 17-year-old son Patrick Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted:

 "I love my family till death do us apart."

Also their 21-year-old daughter Katherine Eunice Schwarzenegger tweeted:

"This is definitely not easy but I appreciate your love and support as I begin to heal and move forward in life. I will always love my family!"

This scandal is still unraveling before our eyes and many people will continue to follow this family awaiting for new information to emerge. 

https://www.google.com/reader/shared/user%2F01374040256627949090%2Flabel%2FSchwarzenegger%20Scandal




Sources: CNN,ABCNews, Entertainment Weekly,Twitter

Do You Believe in Global Warming?

Global warming still has a lot of people confused about how it effects the environment. According to the Rasmussen Reports still, 62% say global warming is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 34% who think it’s a very serious issue.  Thirty-six percent (36%) do not believe climate change is a serious problem.  Some people are confused by all the information that is out there. There have been debates about whether the information that have been provided has been accurate.  There have been issues with NASA issuing incorrect data regarding global warming.  The website Big Government stated in their article that NASA hey simply added .3 millimeters per year to its Global Mean Sea Level Time Series. That way they could report that the sea level rise was accelerating, instead of what was actually happening–decelerating. 

With the confusion with global warming information overload there are ways to take care of the earth whether you believe in global warming or not.  The Union of Concerned Scientists suggests ways that everyone can help the world. On their site they suggest that we can reduce the amount of gas you burn, buy efficient appliances that use less electricity, reduce every day electrical use and other useful information.

Facebook: Friend or Foe

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Want to be liked? Join Facebook.  Want to become divorce, stalked or murder? Join Facebook.  Facebook is a social network that helps people keep in touch.  Facebook originally started for college students but now is a social portal for anyone to join.  It is a great way for long distance relationships to stay close and personable.  Also in tragic situations Facebook is a way for people to connect.  During the devastation of the tornadoes that hit the southern region of the United States a   Facebook page was set up to help strangers return photos, documents, and other personal items to their owners. The page has been "liked" by more than 48,000 users. On the page many good-hearted citizens had posted images of items that they have found to help the victims of the tornado. "The thing about social media is that it is just a capability, something that people will invent ways to use," says analyst Ezra Gottheil, who describes Facebook and Twitter as non-obtrusive broadcast media. "You can shout your find, or your loss, from the rooftops, but no one has to listen unless and until they want to," Gottheil says.  Facebook has brought people (and items) together but there is a negative downside.

In North Carolina Karen Ann Rooney was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend after she posted news of her engagement to another man on her Facebook page. In the news, blogs and other social sites more and more stories like these seem to emerge.  People have lost their jobs over what they  have posted.  Even more recently there have also been a lot of news stories that suggest that Facebook cause divorce.  According to an article in The Wall Street Journal:

Some lawyers do say that they see Facebook and other social media playing a role in divorce these days, as people rediscover old flames online or strike up new relationships that lead them to stray from their marriage vows.

Does Facebook cause divorce? A Facebook spokesman calls it “ludicrous” that the social networking sight causes divorce. According to a new survey by The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers one in five divorces involve the social networking site Facebook.  There have been disputes to these claims. The Wall Street Journal article also states:

But lawyers and marriage researchers say there isn't much evidence to support the notion that social-networking sites actually cause marriages to sputter.

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There are a lot of opinions regarding the good and bad of Facebook. Facebook is a website so it can’t be physically harmful to people. Or is it like alcohol? Dangerous when used excessively. Either way be careful what you post. There is someone always watching.


Sources:
Facebook
Wall Street Journal
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
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