Outrage: How Gay Activists and Liberal Judges Are Trashing Democracy to Redefine Marriage

by Peter Sprigg

Book Overview

Many people feel that the oldest tradition of our society is under attack--the legalization of same-sex marriage has become the cultural battleground. This book draws attention to the battle of the sexes, invoking the American public to protect a stronghold of civilization.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0895260212
• ISBN13: 9780895260215
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Don't be misled by the negative reviews

Contrary to the rhetoric of some of the reviewers -- especially those giving the book one star and accusing the author of perpetuating lies -- this book is well-argued, clearly-written, and carefully-documented. I would urge everyone interested in this important subject to read this book with an open mind, rather than prejudging either its contents or the motivation of the author. Of special interest is the section drawing attention to the often deleterious effects of same-sex unions on the children raised in those homes, as expressed by those very children. Even proponents of same-sex unions should investigate the accuracy and commonality of those claims. And the quotes from African American leaders who are offended by the equation of gay rights with the civil rights movement should not be ignored. Certainly, the title and subtitle of the book, along with the tone of some of the writing, are intended to awaken the reader and prove a point, rather than enter into a meaningful dialogue with those who differ. But even this caveat pales in comparison with the shrill tone of some of the reviewers, who do not seem to grasp the fact that simply branding someone a homophobic bigot does not take the place of rational, fair-minded arguments. Sprigg's book is filled with those very arguments and should be read rather than dismissed out of hand.

A concise look at the culture war

Judging by the list of reviews that are either glowing 5-star reviews or 1-star bitter diatribes, this book has had the intended effect: to provide a clear and concise argument against the gay agenda. The fact that those who hate this book so much are trying to portray it as a personal attack on gays shows a bit of desperation, in my opinion. Sprigg correctly addresses both elements of the homosexual rights movement -- the "rights-based" side (where they attempt to get a judge to rule certain restrictions unconstitutional) and the public policy side (where the activists engage in the political process), and presents the arguments in a clear manner. If you are already well-versed in the debate, this might not present that much that is new (though Sprigg does incorporate some contemporary angles that have come up, such as Rosie O'Donnell's recent public advocacy and Britney Spears' 55-hour marriage). However, to those who haven't followed the details and want a one-stop place to get the boiled-down synthesis of the reasons to oppose gay marriage, whether it be imposed by the courts or considered in the legislature, this book is a very good place to start.

Protecting marriage

This book is about same-sex marriage. The author, who works for the Washington-based Family Research Council, is concerned that the millennia-old understanding of marriage is being wiped away by homosexual activists and liberal judges. He traces the battle for marriage in America, and notes the tactics being used by those who seek to redefine the very nature of marriage. The outrage is that those who seek to overhaul marriage are making use of activist judges to bypass both the popular will of the people, and the legislative process. Court decisions are going against the majority opinion, and ignoring due legislative channels. Liberal social activists have consistently failed at the polls to achieve their agendas, and legislative change can be a slow and difficult process. Thus a quick and easy way to implement radical social reform is by means of an activist judiciary. Activists of course paint a distorted picture of the issue: laws and customs are discriminating against homosexuals, they claim, and they are being denied the right to marry. They argue that conservatives are preventing them from enjoying rights that everyone else enjoys, and that they should stop picking on homosexuals. But it was the activists who started this war, by demanding something that they never had an entitlement to. The activists are the ones who must prove their case. They are seeking to overturn the accumulated wisdom of centuries by this radical social experiment. Western governments should not have to prove their case. The burden of proof must lie with those radicals who want to redefine the most fundamental of human institutions. But conservatives have been forced to spring to the defense of marriage because of the judicial activists. Court justices in Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont and Massachusetts all sought to impose their agenda on an unwilling population, as did the US Supreme Court in June of 2003. Thus the 40 or so US states that have now passed Defense of Marriage Acts have done so in response to this direct assault on the institution of marriage. Sprigg looks at some of the ploys and half-truths used by advocates of same-sex marriage. For example, it is often claimed that this is a human rights issue, and all should have access to this right. But of course many do not have the right to marry: those who are already married, children, close blood relations, etc. Marriage has only always been about the right of a man and woman to marry. Not two men, or three women, or a group. Indeed, the arguments in favour of same-sex marriage are just the sort of arguments one could use to champion group marriage, or incest, or other types of sexual combinations. Societies have given benefits to heterosexual marriage because heterosexual marriage benefits society. No such argument can be made for same-sex relationships. Societies have no compelling interest in promoting other types of sexual relationships, especially given that marriage contains an important social goo

Awesome Information Everyone Needs to Know

This is a well written, easy to read documentation of how our democracy is currently working. It reveals the undermining of a special interest group and judges that have gone outside the law. This book will not be appreciated for those who fall within these groups and are not open to hear about what is going on in society or who don't care. If you are not up to date on this issue and how it affects society and our current election... pick up a copy, and read now!