On a segment on gay rights on Meet the Press today, Newt
Gingrich complained about Catholic adoption agencies being "outlawed" in
some states where marriage equality laws take effect. MSNBC contributor
Joy-Ann Reid pointed out that it was the Church's decision to withdraw
its services.
GINGRICH: "What I'm struck with is the
one-sidedness of the desire for rights. There are no rights for
Catholics to have adoption services in Massachusetts. They're outlawed.
There are no rights in DC for Catholics to have adoption service.
They're outlawed. This passing reference to religion, we sort of respect
religion, sure, as long as you don't practice it. I mean I think it
would be good to have a debate over, you know, beyond this question of,
'Are you able to be gay in America?' what does it mean? Does it mean
that you have to actually affirmatively eliminate any institution which
does not automatically accept that, and therefore, you're now going to
have a secular state say to a wide range of religious groups, Catholics,
Protestants, orthodox Jews, Mormons, frankly, Muslims, 'You cannot
practice your religion the way you believe it, and we will outlaw your
institutions.' ... Let's just start with adoption services. It's
impossible for the Catholic Church to have an adoption service in
Massachusetts that follows Catholic doctrine.
JOY-ANN REID: But didn't the Catholic Church, particularly Catholic Charities in Boston, they affirmatively decided to withdraw adoption services. No one said they are not allowed to provide adoption services.
GINGRICH: No, they withdrew them because they were told, "You could not follow Catholic doctrine," which is for marriage between a man and a woman.
REID: I think the point is, is that you don't have the state attempting to tell religions what to believe. People, if they oppose the idea of gay marriage within their religion, have the absolute right to do so. The question is whether or not religious institutions can make public policy, whether they can enter the public policy--
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