Culture Watch Wednesday is a weekly roundup of stories that shape or represent our culture. I’ll offer minimal commentary but hope to engage in conversation with you about these issues in the comment section.
Gendercide
An undercover video from pro-life activists Live Action exposed Planned Parenthood’s acceptance of gendercide or sex-selective abortions. Meanwhile, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012 proposed by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) sought to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race, and for other purposes. The bill failed because opponents believed the measure was “another attempt to restrict abortions and force women to justify their reasons for wanting the procedure”. It makes you wonder if Americans really are becoming more pro-life.
DOMA
Defense of Marriage Act is in the news again because a federal appeals court in Boston declared DOMA to be unconstitutional. This forces the issue to head to the Supreme Court. If they choose to hear the case, the question will be whether or not states can define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Prop 8
Proposition 8 was the decision by a majority of California voters to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Opponents immediately began appealing the vote. Today, Prop 8 moves closer to Supreme Court because the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to re-consider the Prop 8 case. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case they will not only rule on the state’s vote but will answer the larger question of whether the federal government can decline to recognize the gay marriages from a given state. But as the Baptist Press reports, if the Supreme Court does not take up the case and if a ruling by a three-judge panel stands, then gay marriage will become legal in California.
NYC Soda Ban
Mayor Bloomberg agrees with decriminalizing small amounts of pot but wants to criminalize sales of large sodas in an effort to curb obesity. Meanwhile, Bloomberg will be officiating the weigh-in for Nathan’s Famous hotdog eating contest on Coney Island next month.
What issues are you watching in the news this week? What are your thoughts about the above stories? How should we respond?
