”The demons has showed up!” Last witness at DC Council’s gay marriage hearing sums up day’s religious objectors [video]
”Who among you is searching for the word of Almighty God? You, who have decided to live worse than the dogs. Who among you would allow your male dog to lie with a male dog? My God is about reproduction. And he is a pure and just God. And while we disrespecting His holy statute, who among you can direct His steps.
”I resent anyone comparing same-sexual unions to slavery. The Devil has showed up here today. Let God be true and every man be a liar! Sodomy and Gommorah!…. But you yourself have decided to lead my people to Hell, which were created for the Devil and the demons and his angels.
”Sodomy and Gomorrah, I keep saying that…. Now how in the world did you get my sisters and brothers to follow your evil and corrupt ways? The demons has showed up! … Mr. Wells, is that your name? Mr. Contella (sic), Mr. Mendelson — y’all sure put the fire to them Christian folks and they buckled. But i will not buckle, this is the word of almighty God. And I tell you what about same-sexual unions, what would they do: They will destroy our society! … Shame on you, shame on you for not standing up for the holy word of God. Shame on you demon, Demon Wells, Contrella (sic) — just ’cause y’all want to practice y’all corrupt and immoral ways.…”
A woman, who said her name was Ernestine Copeland (Copelander?), testifying as a witness against a pending bill to recognize same-sex marriage in the District today. The DC Council hearing, headed by Phil Mendelson, went well into the night as over one hundred people spoke their minds.
A majority of the testimonies were touching, pro-marriage equality stories from citizens, activists, and other local religious and political figures — both gay and straight. However, some of the testimony came with arguments from the Catholic Archdiocese and other socially conservative religious perspectives. Others used the argument that the citizens deserve the right to vote on whether gays deserve equal civil marriage rights.
Ms. Copeland, who appeared to direct her fire and brimstone at Washington Councilman Tommy Wells and out gay Councilman David Catania, launched into a number of disconnected comments until and even after her microphone was cut off.
More testimony is set for next Monday from some 300 individuals who signed up to speak. The bill is expected to easily pass no matter what is said at the hearing since 10 of the 13 City Councilmembers have already signed on as sponsors. (Council of the District of Columbia)
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