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Prop 8 Reveals Churches' Fear of Strong Women

Religions fear the crumbling of 'male authority:' Rodriguez

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Nov 26, 2008 5:23 PM CST
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(Newser) – Churches led the charge against Proposition 8 and gay marriage because of their insecurities over the breakdown of heterosexual families and the consequent rise of independent women, says gay author and devout Catholic Richard Rodriguez. Gays are scapegoats because they—like feminists—threaten "an alternative to the traditional male-structured society."

Churches "want to reassert some sort of male authority over the order of things," says Rodriguez. But their actions smack of hypocrisy. "The real challenge to the family right now is male irresponsibility and misbehavior toward women," he says. "If the Hispanic Catholic and evangelical churches really wanted to protect the family, they should address the issue of wife-beating in Hispanic families and the misbehaviors of the father against the mother. But no, they go after gay marriage."

Mel House joins others in protests outside the Los Angeles Mormon Temple two weeks ago.
Mel House joins others in protests outside the Los Angeles Mormon Temple two weeks ago.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Religion and homosexuality have been pitted against each other in California's gay marriage battle.
Religion and homosexuality have been pitted against each other in California's gay marriage battle.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Rodriguez says homosexuality and feminism are aligned in their efforts to redefine traditional roles of fathers and mothers.
Rodriguez says homosexuality and feminism are aligned in their efforts to redefine traditional roles of fathers and mothers.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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If the Hispanic Catholic and evangelical churches really wanted to protect the family, they should address the issue of wife beating in Hispanic families. ... But no, they go after gay marriage. - Richard Rodriguez

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gay rights • California • gay marriage • feminism • religion • Catholicism • Latinos • Proposition 8 • Richard Rodriguez

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