Religion & Law

Human Rights Campaign has launched a new website called "NOM Exposed" dedicated to uncovering the "truth, lies, and connections about the so-called National Organization for Marriage."  I'm all in favor of providing the public with information about important political issues, but one look at this website makes clear that the primary motivation is not to provide information, but to paint opponents of same-sex marriage in the most sinister light possible, a sort of public shaming targeting anyone with the gall to stake out a position in support of traditional marriage.  Consider the "Rogues' Gallery" of various people involved with NOM, complete with unflattering photos.  Or the scarlet and black color scheme for the entire site.  Or the ominous revelation that "NOM's deep pocket" is filled by "Mormon Church, Catholic Church, Opus Dei," and . . . [insert blood-curdling scream here] Evangelical Christians!"  Or the news that NOM associates with groups like the Knights of Columbus and people like Carrie Prejean!

As someone who is sympathetic with some of the concerns aired by the LGBT rights movement, I consider this website to be a huge step in the wrong direction.  Reasonable people can disagree in good faith about the wisdom of same-sex marriage.  One argument against SSM has been the fear that, once SSM becomes the law of the land, opponents of SSM will be driven from the public square and relegated to the margins of society currently reserved for unabashed racists.  Those fears find fertile ground in this website. The push for SSM has seen some remarkable successes in recent months.  It is especially troubling that, in the wake of this success, one of the largest and most influential pro-SSM organizations decides to ratchet up the nastiness of their advocacy.  It does not bode well for the climate that HRC intends to foster once their victory is complete.