Culture Watch: Will the Supreme Court Let Citizens Answer, "What Is Marriage?"

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From: The Heritage Foundation <newsletters@heritage.org>
Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Culture Watch: Will the Supreme Court Let Citizens Answer, "What Is Marriage?"
To: Bill Coffin <billcoffin68@gmail.com>


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Culture Watch: Weekly Round-Up on Family, Religion and Civil Society
November 29, 2012

Will the Supreme Court Let Citizens Answer, What Is Marriage?
by Ryan T. Anderson, William E. Simon Research Fellow
in the Richard and
Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society

As Sherif Girgis, Robert P. George, and I argue in The Wall Street Journal, the future of marriage is the future of humanity.

Conservatives rightly uphold the institution of marriage between a man and a woman because marriage is the seedbed of society, the necessary precondition for limited self-government.

But not everyone sees it this way. With the United States Supreme Court expected to decide this week whether to hear challenges to traditional marriage laws, now is the time for citizens to think deeply about the nature and purpose of marriage.

Marriage unites a man and woman holistically—emotionally and bodily, in acts of conjugal love and in the children such love brings forth—for the whole of life.

In the revisionist view of marriage, however, what sets marriage apart from other bonds is emotional intensity—what one philosopher refers to as your “number one person.” But nothing about emotional union requires it to be permanent. Or limited to two. Or sexual, much less sexually exclusive. Or inherently oriented to family life and shaped by its demands.

As a result, redefining marriage to include same-sex relationships would harm the common good as it obscures the true nature of marriage and thus weakens the marriage culture. Weakening marital norms would hurt children and spouses, especially the poorest among us.

Empty appeals to “equality” get us nowhere. As my co-authors and I argue:

Every marriage policy draws lines, leaving out some types of relationships. Equality forbids arbitrary line-drawing. But we cannot know which lines are arbitrary without answering two questions: What is marriage, and why does it matter for policy?

The conjugal and revisionist views are two rival answers; neither is morally neutral. Each is supported by some religious and secular worldviews but rejected by others.… So voters must decide: Which view is right?

The best philosophy, theology, sociology, and what G. K. Chesterton called the democracy of the dead—tradition—all suggest that the conjugal view is right.

As we argue in our new book What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense, marriage is a uniquely comprehensive union. It involves a union of hearts and minds but also a bodily union made possible by sexual complementarity. Marriage is inherently extended and enriched by procreation and family life and objectively calls for similarly all-encompassing commitment, norms of permanence, and exclusivity.

In the op-ed, we detail why conservatives would be ill-advised to abandon support for conjugal marriage even if it hadn’t won more support than Governor Mitt Romney in every state where marriage was on the ballot. 

What are your thoughts on the ongoing national dialogue about marriage? Raise your voice and interact with others on our blog >>
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Family Fact of the Week
Majority of High Schoolers Remain Abstinent

More than one in two high school students report remaining abstinent, an increase of nearly 15 percent since the early 1990s. The trend was most striking among African American students, with a 116 percent increase in those remaining abstinent.

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Appreciation and Gratitude

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From: Smart Relationships <info@smartrelationships.org>
Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Subject: Appreciation and Gratitude
To: Bill <billcoffin68@gmail.com>


You are receiving this email because you provided your email address to thinkmarriage.org or Smart Relationships (same people, new name). If you don't want to be on our list, please unsubscribe by going to the bottom of the email. Please don't mark us as spam. We can be prevented from sending any emails to the subscribers who want to hear from us.
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Sometimes it's tempting to see other people as more desirable than our own partner. But, if the truth be told, no human being is without serious emotional baggage, unresolved childhood issues, bad habits, and flaws. We have a humorous saying here at Smart Relationships, "The grass is greener on the other side of the fence because your neighbor takes better care of the lawn!"

While some individuals have serious issues that make their relationships difficult or unsustainable, it is estimated that up to 70% of divorces could be avoided if the couple learned more helpful ways of interacting.

One key to long-term satisfaction in your relationship is practicing appreciation and gratitude on a daily basis.This shapes your underlying attitude toward your mate, and it's your attitude that expresses itself through your words and behavior.


 


While we focus on couple relationships most often, we hope our more than 23,000 followers and readers (thank you!) understand that being good at relationships will affect every arena of your life: work, family, friends, and your communities.

Here's a list of '20 Simple Ways to Show Appreciation' across many types of relationships.


 

Did you know that Susan's coaching is available globally through Skype?

Her couple coaching comes with a guarantee. "I will help you recover the joy, closeness, fun, and commitment of your relationship in six sessions, or your money back."

Click here to request a no-cost 30-minute phone consultation with Susan, to see if your relationship is a good candidate for coaching.

Try this experiment. The next time your partner does something you find irritating, do these three things:

1. Take a calm breath
2. Consciously relax any part of your body that feels tension
3. Smile at him or her


 

"A Surprisingly Simple Way to Feel Madly in Love"
by Christine Carter, Ph.D.
reposted from The Greater Good Science Center, U.C. Berkeley

My buddy Fred Luskin recently stopped by for tea to show me his wedding pictures and tell me all about his new love—a whirlwind 50-something romance, a second great love after the death of his beloved wife of 25 years. Fred is someone who has written books about relationships, a guy who has actually figured out how to make a marriage great. He said something that really struck me.

“I text her several times every day,” he said, voice emotional.

“I love you.”
“You are beautiful.”
“And thank you.”

“I’m so grateful,” he told me, “to have a new partner in my life. I feel that every day. It isn’t hard for me to...

Read the rest of the article.

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Dec 13-14 Region IV AAHMI, HHMI and Responsible Fatherhood Forum

From: aahmi [mailto:AAHMI@LIST.NIH.GOV] On Behalf Of ACF Dallas (ACF)
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 3:23 PM
To: AAHMI@LIST.NIH.GOV
Subject: Dec 13-14 Region IV AAHMI, HHMI and Responsible Fatherhood Forum

   Your are cordially invited to attend the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Region IV, African American & Hispanic Healthy Marriage & Responsible Fatherhood Strengthening Families Forum: A Conversation: Connecting, Educating and Networking with Communities. 

   This Forum is designed specifically for faith and community-based organizations, healthy marriage community coalitions, colleges and universities, healthy marriage and fatherhood grantees, public and private organizations, Head Start and Community Action Agencies, State and local human service agencies, and practitioners from various disciplines.  This forum will be held on December 13-14, 2012, at the First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery Street, Savannah, Georgia.

Bridget Minor

Family Life and Marriage Program Specialist

Administration for Children and Families

Region IV, Atlanta, GA  404-562-2903

Seven couples tied the knot!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carolyn Rich Curtis <info@skills4us.org>
Date: Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Subject: Seven couples tied the knot!
To: billcoffin68@gmail.com


Second Annual Wedding Marathon
a great success!
The brides were beautiful, the grooms handsome, the ring bearers well behaved, and the flower girls adorable.  On Saturday, November 17, seven graduate couples were wed in lovely ceremonies at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  A great time was had by all!
 
Take a look: weddingmarathon.org

With heartfelt gratitude, we thank those who made the event possible:

  

Vendors                                                                        

Event planning  

Events by Wise
  

Host

Westminster Presbyterian Church
 

Hair and makeup services 

Colors Salon

Shea Lillard -Hairstylist
 

Music 

A Big Ticket Sound Experience
 

Dynomite Music & DJ Services
Photography

Cyrette Photography
 

Kimyetta Barron Photography

Riomar Photography

Cakes 

Rebecca's Custom Cakes                                    

 

Volunteers

Events by Wise staff- Danielle Brown, Jessica Gustavson, Kelly Gustafson, Lindsay Garcia, April Gordon, Rachel Moeller, Vickie Gustafson, Rick Wise, Bryce Brown, Anissa Still, Hannah Chudy & Shari Wise

Jennifer Cox                                            

Nancy Griffith                                                

Hannah Schoenhardt                                                                                                          

Previous Marathon participants Ed & Alisha Purcell                                     

Safiya Rayford                                    

Numerous members of Westminster Presbyterian Church

 

Donors

Aba Daba Rentals                                      

Anna Campbell/Moxie                                       

Anne Thomasmeyer                                  

Barbara Stern                                            

Beth Harrington/Benefit Resources                                    

Bill Watson

Cake Castle Bakery

Carol A. Voyles                                                   

Carroll & Sandy Dudley

Christ Community Church of Carmichael                

Councilmember Darrell Fong/City of Sacramento                                                           

David Asch & Wendy Phoenix

Flora Fresh, Inc.

Fresh Cleaners

George J. & Ella Gomes

Jerry & Elaine Wright

Jim Steward & Family/Stanislaus County

Healthy Marriage

John & Bev Brown

John & Virginia Porter                                      

Kevin & Tammara Wilcox

Lynne Cannady & David Ford/LPC Consulting

Ludy's Main Street BBQ & Catering                                    

Nancy Griffith

Paul Thompson/Capital Christian Center                                              

Phyllis Newton/Law Office

Robert Christensen/Financial Network                                         

Ross Tolbert/Voit Real Estate Services

Ruth Anderson                                          

Steve Polansky, MD                                              

Tony & Edda Browne                                        

Vaughn Johnson                                      

William & Elaine Schaedler   

 

It's not too late to sponsor a couple.  Donate today! 

 

Relationship Skills Center.  skillscenter.org. (916) 362-1900
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18 ways to be a better father

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From: Family Edge <family.edge@mercatornet.com>
Date: Fri, Nov 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Subject: 18 ways to be a better father
To: billcoffin68@gmail.com


Family Edge
bringing you news of family issues from around the world
 

    2012-11-22 17:48:37-05


  Click below to read the full text of the latest posting on FamilyEdge

  http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/11526

  18 ways to be a better father

2012-11-22 17:48:37-05

The parents of six children offer 18 fatherhood tips drawn from their own experience Read more...

 

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People For Others


 

Wisdom Story – 128

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 08:00 PM PST

 

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

“Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he replied.” I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.”

He paused. “Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there ain’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.”

Source

Related posts:

  1. A Wisdom Story
  2. Wisdom Story – 17
  3. Wisdom Story – 92
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CFR in the Media

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From: Council for Relationships <hsiegel@councilforrelationships.org>
Date: Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Subject: CFR in the Media
To: billcoffin68@gmail.com


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CFR in the Media

Raymond McDevitt on 6ABC 

Raymond McDevitt weighs in on whether or not the act of public shaming is an effective form of punishment. 

 

  

 

 

 

Link to video - Public Shaming Goes Viral 

 


Sara Corse on CBS3's Talk Philly 

Dr. Sara Corse sits down with Talk Philly's Pat Ciarrocchi to give some tips for how to have a happy marriage. 

 

  

 

 

 

Link to video - Be A Better You: Happy Marriage

 


Dorothy Thomas on CBS3's Eyewitness News at 6  

CBS News' Dray Clark asked Dorothy Thomas for some advice for parents in Clayton, NJ, where many children were grieving the loss of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale.  

 

  

 

 

 

Link to video - Many Struggling with the Loss of Autumn Pasquale 

 


Linda Abrams in The Palm Beach Post
Linda Abrams talks to writer Emily Minor about the challenges people face when diagnosed with a chronic illness.

      

linda

 

 

 

 Link to article - Look at Jody Gentile.  Look at him--not his illness.

Margaret Shapiro in The Chicago Tribune  

      

 

 

 

Link to article - Opting Out: Home for the Holidays?  Not this Year. 

Hilary Siegel

Marketing and Communications Manager  

Council for Relationships

 

hsiegel@councilforrelationships.org

215-382-6680 

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What if Schools Rated Empathy, Passion for Learning and Connection-making ...


 
What if Schools Rated Empathy, Passion for Learning and Connection-making ...
Axiom News
An ability to demonstrate empathy for others, which is a key element in human flourishing, says Beerens, noting the tragic consequences of world leaders with brilliant minds but no compassion for people. 7. A desire to act morally and ethically across ...
See all stories on this topic »

Bill

Relationship Smarts PLUS listed in National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kay Reed <kayreed@dibbleinstitute.org>
Date: Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Subject: Relationship Smarts PLUS listed in National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.
To: Bill Coffin <billcoffin68@gmail.com>, "Larry (ACF) McDowell" <larry.mcdowell@acf.hhs.gov>, Diane Sollee <diane@smartmarriages.com>


Happy Thanksgiving!

All best

Kay



 Relationship Smarts PLUS listed in National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.

The Dibble Institute is pleased to announce that Relationship Smarts PLUS, developed by Marline Pearson, is now listed as one of the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP), a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 

NREPP is a searchable database of interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental and substance abuse disorders.  SAMHSA has developed this resource to help people, agencies, and organizations implement proven, evidence-based programs in their communities.  

All programs listed on NREPP go through an extensive review process and are rated on their quality of research and on readiness for dissemination.  RS+ received high scores on the quality of research (2.75 on a scale of 0-4.0), and a high score (2.8) for readiness and dissemination. 

The application process was exhaustive.  Huge credit for this accomplishment goes to Professor and Associate Dean at Auburn University, Dr. Jennifer Kerpelman, for spending six plus years conducting random, experimental design research on RQ+ with academic colleagues.  Without her tireless work on the evaluation and NREPP application, this would not have become a reality. 

Being listed on NREPP gives organizations wishing to teach RS+ the ability to apply for funds when evidence based programs are required.  This is an important accomplishment for RS+, and we are very proud to be listed on NREPP's list of evidence-based programs. 

Click here for the NREPP RS+ profile.