Controversial Sniper Image Upsets Gay Marriage Supporters
An image of a bride and groom in the crosshairs of a sniper’s scope has ignited a war of words between gay activists and Christians.
The controversy arose when the North Carolina Family Policy Council released the latest edition of their magazine, “Family North Carolina,” which featured an article on same-sex marriage illustrated with the sniper image.
In the article, "Marriage In Society's Moral Crosshairs," of the winter 2012 issue, Jacqueline Schaffer, J.D. writes, “The greatest threat to marriage and morality in this country today, however, is not one-stop divorce or even 1960s-era sexual promiscuity; it is the advent of homosexual ‘marriage.’”
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Schaffer claims that traditional marriage should be constitutionally protected, as gay activist groups are threatening to override a proposed amendment to North Carolina’s constitution that would uphold the biblical union.
“Marriage redefinition in this country has yet to be the product of public opinion, but has consistently resulted from legislative action or judicial overreach,” Schaffer writes.
The article and accompanying image instantly sparked ire among LGBT activists and bloggers.
"Maybe it's just me, but civil debates on marriage equality don't necessarily encompass images of an assassin targeting newlyweds,” wrote Alvin McEwen in “LGBTQ Nation.”
But some traditional marriage supporters have come out to support the article.
“I think the picture was fitting according to the article. Symbolizing the betrayal of traditional marriage by a society that has no real link to the origin of marriage, yet feels justified to intrude on the sanctity of the meaning of marriage as opposed to the benefits of it,” wrote Fred Beggs.
The article also mentions North Carolina Psychological Association resolution to oppose the same-sex marriage ban. Recently, the North Carolina Psychological Association named the top four reasons why opposing same-sex marriage is misguided, in a resolution adopted by the board of directors.
“The North Carolina Psychological Association is opposed to the May ballot initiative that would alter the North Carolina Constitution to make marriage between a man and a woman the only legal domestic union recognized in the state,” the resolution states.
An amendment restricting North Carolina’s definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman, which will be on the May 8 primary ballot, is “necessary,” according to Schaffer.
“It is important to realize that even though the State has already statutorily defined marriage as between one man and one woman, recent case law demonstrates that such defense of marriage laws simply do not provide the same level of protection from legal challenge that a constitutional amendment will,” her article reads.
“Any state endorsement of the homosexual lifestyle will have an adverse impact on religious freedom. … However, the people of North Carolina will have the opportunity to cast their vote on marriage. And while homosexual activists have proven themselves to be a vocal minority, it is the voice of the people that will matter on May 8, 2012.”
Attempts to contact the NCFPC, as well as Focus on The Family and the Alliance Defense Fund for comments were unsuccessful before press time.
