"Archbishop John Nienstedt sent a letter to every priest in the state at the start of October urging them to put every Catholic church in Minnesota tow work passing a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

“It is imperative that we marshal our resources to educate the faithful about the Church’s teachings on these matters, and to vigorously organize and support a grass roots effort to get out the vote to support the passage of the amendment,” the letter read. It went out on Oct. 4 to every priest in the state." - Minnesota Independent

As a young activist I would like to remind my readers that it isn't over until the fat lady sings. Since coming out of the closet, I have changed many minds. I remember my brother who so confidently said to someone asking him in  California if gays should be allowed to get married, "No". Then he proceeded to ask me what I thought on the matter of gay marriage. To avoid awkwardness, I said, "No comment." After I came out he stands beside me in support.

Ok, so some radical bishop got his condom in a bundle and sent out a bunch of e mails or letters encouraging his followers, who practically idolize him by blindly listening to what he has to say, to start small church groups that spread the word of God to promote this political plan to make marriage between only a man and a woman.

I have a song to sing to my choir before providing my advice to defeat this anti-humanity amendment in Minnesota. Voting day will be here before you know it!

Ok, first off, the Catholic Church, (No surprise, the story I go to is another one involving the infamous anti-gay Bible thumper John Nienstedt.), is notorious for saying that you shouldn't protest within the church. I guess wearing a rainbow sash is a sign of protest that makes it religiously incorrect to serve communion. Here is a recap of what happened in September 2010.

Archbishop John Nienstedt denied Holy Communion to some two dozen gay activist students during a September 26 Mass at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. The students from St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict were wearing rainbow sashes and buttons in protest of Catholic teaching on homosexual activity.

“You cannot receive Communion if you wear the rainbow sash because it’s a political statement, a sign of protest,” said archdiocesan spokesman Ned McGrath. “Going to the Communion rail is the most sacred part of our faith, the Eucharist.”- Catholic Culture

Well, John Nienstedt, when did sending letters to all of your little pawns, cough, I mean bishops, become religiously tolerable when it is against the religion to protest in the first place? Maybe my understanding of the Catholic church is flawed. And I assure you, someone will explain to me the mundane and asinine details of why it is ok to become politically active by sending letters to Bishops, but not when there are rainbows involved at the pew. (Not to mention, when I went to a redneck wedding up north there was a sign outside the Catholic church advocating against abortion. Pro-Life. Maybe my definition of protest is not the same as Sir persons blah Nienstedt.)

Secondly, when did it become ok for religion to dictate what I do with my penis and what my lesbian girlfriends do with their vaginas? There is an overwhelming precedence in United States history that there is separation of church and state. I am no political idiot. Ok, well, I don't think I am a political idiot, and someone from Harvard probably agrees from me. (A Little Bit of Liberal) This amendment seems slightly intrusive. However,the Catholic churches action is ok because it's not really breaking any law because the church is acting privately as its own "non-political" entity.

Because of this stupid amendment, Minnesotans will be able to vote on my marriage rights based on what the people of this Minnesota nice cold for nine months states thinks. And none of their thoughts are really their own. Especially the Catholics. John Nienstedt speaks and he is practically the word of God so all of his Bible thumper followers listen.

Lastly, it's ironic, the oh so grandiose Republicans GOP OOber Tea Partier people have turned to a really sly and liberal-democratic technique to attempt to make marriage illegal in the state of Minnesota. If you need to know something, I take pride in the Republican views of living in a system where generally the masses, which I assume most political science majors would agree, are uninformed, and usually shouldn't vote on legislative matters.

In a perfect system, our American theory on government is that we elect qualified, intellectual, and good-minded people to vote on our laws that direct our lives. Essentially, the power is given to a minority of people who get voted in by a majority rotating every couple of years. Ok, my lack of knowledge is now showing. Essentially, having the "American" people, or the masses vote on my marriage rights, is at its political theory core, a democratic tactic. The Republican majority in Minnesota, really just got a little bit of liberal on us.

Ok, so what do we do with all of this? Essentially, the bishop fellow tub thumper is another person I have no respect for. And he is one person. He gets up, he eats food, he takes a crap, he wipes his butt. And on occasions he probably, like me, gets a case of hemorrhoids now and then. He is no better or worse than any one of us. Minus the fact that a lot of people worship him in a sense by blindly listening to what he has to say. Here is what I suggest for political retaliation.

1. Silent Majority - Raise Your Voices - If you happen to disagree with the Catholic stance on lgbt matters and also happen to be a Catholic who still attends one of these right wing Catholic churches, who wants to take away rights from some minority group for reasons that don't make sense: Quit Attending Their Sermons - Tell Your Catholic Peers and Social Groups Good Bye. They don't need you to survive. You don't need them to survive. If you are feeling more polite, Speak Up! Tell your social groups you disagree with what your church and Bishop is doing. Don't let your views go unheard as there are others who probably have the same views. This applies to all pew sitting people. Not just Catholics. Lutherans, I am talking to you too!

2. You Can Write Too - Bishops aren't the only people qualified to write letters and e mails. I would encourage all church attending folks to write your pastors, bishops, and religious leaders stating anonymously how you feel about gays and lesbians who are getting married. Tell them that even as a Christian, you have come to learn that the Bible says a lot of things that we no longer use in practice and that there is no religious need or calling or necessity to separate gays from the church and from marriage because of some asinine Biblical belief that has no relevance to the modern world. Or something more personal, like, I have a gay son or know a lesbian couple who is Christian. It's all good.

3. Fellowship - There is this awesome thing after sermons and pew sittings called fellowship. I encourage anyone who attends fellowships after church to talk to other members of the congregation to see their views on gay and lesbian marriage. Talk with people who you think may agree with your point of view and see if you can't start a group that supports gay and lesbian couples. If the pastor or religious leader or bishop disagrees with this group, leave the congregation.

4. - Defeat This Sucker - I think church goers have a responsibility to stand up for what they believe in and to take the paths that aren't commonly taken. Supporting lgbt rights is not an easy path, but with your support and your voices, you can change the way this world functions for generations to come. Help Minnesota defeat this sucker and change the debate on gay and lesbian marriage nationally. I know that with your stories shared, and your voices heard in communities all across the state, Minnesota can defeat this divisive amendment that aims to further separate humanity. Churches, could be after all, spending money on the starving people across the state who are in poverty as a result of this recession. Even gay people believe in helping others. GOD!

If gays win this battle, I might have a faith in God again and start attending Lutheran churches again. If you think this God hates fags things doesn't divide the lgbt community from their churches and communities, you better think again. Vote no, tell your friends, co-workers, and family members to vote no! Don't leave it unsaid.