Iowa woman organizing prayer service opposing gay marriage

by Rhonda J Mangus | April 26, 2009 at 05:03 am
351 views | 65 Recommendations | 9 comments

Photos

New data offers first demographic picture of same-sex couples

New data offers first demographic picture of same-sex couples

see larger image

uploaded by Rhonda J Mangus

Videos

The Iowa Journal - Web Exclusive - Iowa Constitution and Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

see larger video

sourced by Rhonda J Mangus

The Iowa Journal - Web Exclusive - Iowa Constitution and Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

In response to a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage, one Iowa woman wants her voice heard and is organizing a prayer service opposing gay marriage.

Villanueva of Bonaparte has organized a statewide prayer service on Monday morning at 7:45.

She is urging people to go to their local county courthouse Monday and pray, and she plans to show up at the Van Buren County courthouse in Keosauqua.

“Our main idea is to be praying for our county recorders and encouraging them to do what is right,” Villanueva said.

She has been contacting churches around the state, informing them of the event and asking for their support.

“People I’ve talked to, some have been very excited about this and have indicated that they will let their people know. I’m hoping that we can get a good representation throughout the state,” she said.

She said she doesn’t want the recorders to lose their jobs for not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Though, from what she understands, the wording on the constitution hasn’t yet changed, so the law still reads “between a man and a woman,” Villanueva said.

“Each of them will have to decide what is right and good and they have to know what the state constitution says, and I know we can’t change anybody’s mind. Those who would like to do what is legal know that people are supporting them,” said Villanueva.

Wapello County Recorder Joyce Hass said it’s difficult as an elected official when people are opposed to part of her job.

“This is not a law I made. It’s my job to abide by the law,” Hass said.

Hass said that she has met with the county attorney and used information from the Iowa Attorney General’s office to interpret the new law.

Also on NowPublic:

Iowa high court takes on gay marriage

Iowa Supreme Court says gay marriage ban unconstitutional

Gay Marriage Ruling To Be Released By Iowa Supreme Court

recommend This comment thread is now closed
3
Barbara McPherson

The separation of church and state ensures civil rights are respected. It looks like the creeping influence of the religious right in the last presidential regime has been stopped.

1
Fred Miller

I wish them all a safe and peaceful gathering.

1
albertacowpoke

Yes, peaceful is the key.  People are entitled to voice their opinion in a respectful way.

1
jhazell

I wonder if dinosaurs in their final days held gatherings and told each other that "this too shall pass".......... at least its peaceful and ignorance does love company.

0
anarkissed

It's such a shame they bother about what two loving people do simply because of gender rules when it's divorce and financial greed that is killing families.  With both parents working and focusing on careers, or getting selfish enough to let the marriage go to tatters, family really doesn't have much of a chance.

Most of the damage to family values is done by heterosexuals chasing sexual conquest.  Giving the opportunity to legally partner to people who just cannot comply with restrictive notions of love will only increase examples of love and loyalty, not break it down.  

I will never understand how it is that people can ignore logic so completely and then turn around and try to build a society on random fears.

But hey, that doesn't take away their right to be stupid and fearful and gather with other cowards to pray for courage I guess.

0
bettermakings

so what?  is it a crime to pray?  it appears it will be soon enough, for the simple fact that this is considered "news" at all.

0
justice4all1

Ask Sen. Harry Reid about bribery and influence peddling in the DOJ

March 29, 2009                                   Certified Mail 7103 7975 6410 3203 5540

 

 

Senator Harry Reid

333 Las Vegas Blvd., South # 8016

Las Vegas, NV 89101

 

Dear Senator Reid:

 

As a respected elected official and concern for the public interest the enclosed a matter of bribery and influence peddling in the Executive Branch, Department of Justice. The correspondence or evidence is seen to prevent an investigation of a federal criminal statute, title 18 sec. 1510. Casework, or review, is provided in the enclosed Integrity Committee letter dated February 13, 2009.

 

To directly or indirectly, corruptly give, offer or promise anything of value to influence an act or to prevent an act can be construed as bribery.

 

The Integrity Committee letter states the Inspector General EEOC has discretion to open an investigation of a violation of law, title 18. This is patently untrue. To forward a matter of apparent violation of title 18 to a criminal investigator is a 15-minute task. No mention of EEOC ethics officialthat is required by 28 U.S. Code sec. 535 to report any information relating to violation of any criminal statute, title 18. Assistant Legal Counsel APR 2006 letter has an opposite story to direct a matter of alteration of records, title 18 sec. 1001, to the United States Attorney’s Office. No mention in the OLC letter the IG discretion to open an investigation. What is EEOC hiding not to comply with laws, rules and regulations of the United States? How many other hard working Americans may have been denied fair and impartial treatment?

 

The Inspector General apparently was promised or given something of value to have duped, misled, or possibly lied to a federal investigative agent to make a false writing of a review in a civil rights claim. Public service is public trust. Each employee has a responsibility to the United States Government and its citizens. This is a force, sense of duty an obligation of public service to comply with the law, rules, and regulations of the United States. Clearly EEOC Washington, DC, field offices, Nevada, California, Arizona, North Carolina and others have a double standard of the obligation of public service and do not share the concept of equal treatment under the law.

 

As an elected official and Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution and equal treatment under the law that your office promptly forward the entire correspondence to the Attorney General for comment. It is the obligation, an Oath of Office the Attorney General to defend the Constitution and defend equal treatment under the law. Not to do so would only embolden others in public service to perpetuate bribery and influence peddling for private gain. This would add the perception there are those that choose not to have a responsibility to the United States and its citizens may not be fit for public service.

 

I feel confident your office and colleagues would like to hear the comment and proposed action by the Attorney General of the United States in a civil rights matter.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

CERTIFIED MAIL

 

Richard J. Davidson

5122 Cedros Ave.

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Enclosures

cc: Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker

      EEOC & others

 

0
Cheapo Groovo

Gay marriage should be banned at churches, but not by the state. Marriage is a legal arrangement sanctioned by the state, not a social or religious construct as it is to churches.

0
jazzyzazzy

If it makes her feel better to pray no matter how misguided i think she may be. She is entitled to have her say.

0
QueensHart

Personally I don't think "public" prayer is true prayer anyway.  Nothing we ask for Our Will is what I think prayer is about.    The state of prayer is for the own person's being and connection to their higher power.   "God is beyond the comprehension of our mind". (Jacob Needleman)

Christ of course did not mean a literal closet but referred to the self and that must be done alone, undisturbed privately and not for our will but the plea to accept the will of God.( for one main thing..strength, courage to cope with pain and obstacles we face)

Yes again it is freedom of speech and groan all you want... but let them be.   We must all

listen to each other

 

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

What is NowPublic?

NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.

Find out more

Crowd Power

Fred Miller
First Flagged at 5:31 AM, Apr 26, 2009 by Fred Miller
These members have powered this story:

Related Stories

Recommendations (65)

Most recently recommended by:
 

closeSign in to NowPublic

is reporting from