The Bible Says Rick Perry is a Lying Hypocrite

Well, I guess I can breathe a little easier now that the Texas legislature has adjourned. I never feel safe when they're in session. This year's session was probably even worse than average. They were too busy bashing gays and discussing the merits of Dutch ovens to bother with their court mandate to fix the unconstitutional school finance law. Apparently they don't mind chaos in the Texas public school system as long as they can honor Dutch ovens and ask voters to ban marriage.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Texas legislature is asking voters to ban marriage. So don't blame it on the gays, folks, blame it on yourselves. Caught up in the emotion of a bigoted anti-gay frenzy, they got foolish. The legislature decided to forward a constitutional amendment to voters, an amendment that will ban all marriages in the state of Texas. If you don't believe me, just read what they wrote. First they define marriage and then they prohibit it ... for everyone.

Sec. 32. (a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman. (b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

And this brings me to the subject of this post ... a letter I recently received from the office of Texas Governor Rick Perry in response to one I wrote him about the anti-gay amendment. (Text of the letter is at the end of this post.)

Governor Rick Perry, Dede Keith

I am appalled by your response to my letter regarding enshrining prejudice and discrimination in the constitution. It is quite an experience to witness such dishonesty wrapped up in such self-serving sanctimony.

You claim, "strengthening the family is a cornerstone of Governor Perry's political philosophy." Yet you show nothing that would strengthen families. You show only that you promote removing protections from some families. The gay marriage ban does absolutely nothing to strengthen families --- nothing at all.

You go on to say, "The governor believes that if Texas fails families, Texas will fall far short of its potential to have safe communities, the best schools in and economic opportunity for all Texans." Are you oblivious to the fact that the marriage ban does exactly what you claim you want to avoid? It not only fails a large number of families, it deprives them of the benefits and protections you claim to support.

Then you continue by saying, "He also believes that the traditional family --- with a loving mother and a loving father --- provides the ideal environment for children."

That sounds so very sanctimonious, but you don't show how the marriage ban would accomplish anything to support your narrow definition of family or protect children.

What does it do to protect children from physically and/or sexually abusive mothers and fathers?

What does it do to protect children from poverty and all of its resultant problems?

What does it do to ensure a good education for these children?

What does it do for children whose access to health care will be cut off by the amendment?

You say "as governor he also is guided by deeply held beliefs."

What does the marriage ban do to prevent "loving mothers and fathers" from divorcing and remarrying (which, BTW, is forbidden by his "deeply-held" belief system.

Luke 16:18 - "Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."

Mark 10:11-12 "And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery."

Governor Perry and Ms. Keith, you are both hypocritical liars, the kind MY deeply-held belief system warns us about.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

You may tell Gov. Rick Perry exactly what you think of him by clicking here.

Text of Governor Perry's Letter
Governor Perry often must deal with issues that generate intense emotional debate --- and the issue of same-sex marriages is a case in point. As with almost every issue, there will be good people on both sides who disagree.

Besides being bound the Constitution and the laws of and the United States, as governor he also is guided by deeply held beliefs. The governor believe that Texans expect their leaders to have a strong set of personal ethics to help guide them in handling the often complicated and complex issues we face in our diverse state. Accordingly, Governor Perry supported and signed SB 7, which the legislature passed during the 2003 legislative session. This bill complements current state law that prohibits issuing a marriage license for persons of the same sex by prohibiting the recognition of a same-sex marriage or civil union legitimized in another state. The governor also supports President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages.

Strengthening the family is a cornerstone of Governor Perry's political philosophy. The governor believes that if fails families, will fall far short of its potential to have safe communities, the best school in and economic opportunity for all Texans. He also believes that the traditional family --- with a loving mother and a loving father --- provides the ideal environment for children.

Sincerely,
Dede Keith, Administration and Constituent Services
Office of the Governor