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Priest in Union
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Published: 2008-11-19 16:35:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 47076; Favourites: 1214; Downloads: 206
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Description
Father John Joseph Reid and Father Lawrence Turner are Catholic priest that fell in love with each other and married in Massachusetts. They now preside over the New Devine Mercy Catholic Communities. The opening statement of their website is listed below.In imitation of Jesus Christ, we welcome all people to worship and celebrate God's all-inclusive love with us. Whoever you are, where ever you are in your life, we thank you for choosing to be here with us today. Our Mission: To Extend God's Kingdom of Justice, Truth, Love and Peace. [link]
More than 1,000 people attended a rally at Fort Lauderdale City Hall protesting the passage of Amendment 2 in Florida and Proposition 8 in California, which discriminates against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual ) people in The United States of America.
The protests were part of the βJoin the Impactβ [link] campaign to have a synchronized reaction of outrage across the country because of the passage of laws in Arizona, California and Florida defining marriage as an institution between a man and a woman only.
Proposition 8 in California and Amendment 2 in Florida have become a symbol of the struggle for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. It is also argued the laws will restrict rights to heterosexuals who are domestic partners and not married.
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Comments: 1285
I love how this shows that love comes in all forms, bravo!
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Look, God does love all of his people. If you are gay and you accept Jesus as your personal saviour then you become a child of God who is your loving father and will love you no matter what. However he also sent His only son Jesus to die on the cross so that through him, we can ask God for forgiveness and turn away from our sins (that is what it means to repent).
If you're a parent and your child causes figts and misbehaves at school, you still love them right? You just don't want them to continue that kind of behavior. Its the same way with God. He still loves you very much but will love you even more if you just turn away and follow, thats all.
I hope I helped someone get a better understanding of this. As a REAL Christian I don't hate gays. But at the same time, I won't say that its okay.
Have a blessed and wonerful day
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I like how in the background the rainbow is shining on the steps.
That's pretty. : D
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As a straight Athiest, I just gotta say that this is totally and completely beautiful.
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Isn't it amazing that here in America 'the land of the free' we as a people in 2008 are still not fully equal to each other?
I really liked this pic and a few of your other Civil Rights pics. Keep up the great work!! ^_^
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Lawl at all the bigoted Christians who don't know what they're talking about.
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what an incredible story.
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All these people saying it's wrong for two priests to be married is kind of hypocritical. Let me pose this question: If two priests, who are firm believers in a benevolent God get married, then how is this any more against religion than two Athiests, who DON'T believe in ANY God, getting married? Honestly, it just doesn't make sense. If two people love each other, they should have the rights to be married, no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. Marriage is supposed to be about love and union, not whether or not people OUTSIDE the party in question think about their bonding. If they love each other, let them continue with their relationship in peace, and get on with your lives.
I think this picture is beautiful, both in the way it is presented, and its concept.
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Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ! Married gay Fathers! What a delight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Brilliant shot! Of course, I can't say anything positive about this photo that hasn't already been said. I am, however, sad to see that people don't agree with it. It certainly is bringing out the worse in some people. I personally believe that God loves everyone. And if homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals are destined to go to Hell (which I don't believe), well, I'll be sure to save some seats for the awesome people.
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Great idea. Shot could be better. But I think that the message is very important.
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"Love those who hate you" the primary directive of Christianity. I am a Catholic for gay rights. I am glad that these two priests can find love in each other, and still perform service for God and His Church.
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What I see here is a photo that creates both conflict in the world around it, and conflict within myself. Though I've always felt gays and lesbians deserve to be treated equally, I've never thought it was right for a priest to marry... and another man at that... just woah, that one caught me off guard.
At first when I heard these two were married I thought it was some sort of attack against the church for discrimination of homosexuals. Then I read further, read a few of the views from others in the comments and I've left with a new view on the situation.
I know people sometimes do some pretty outlandish things to make a statement but this doesn't strike me as one of those situations... It's not the same mindset as the teen who gets a tattoo and riddles his body with piercings as a sign of rebellion against his strict parents, no, it's entirely different. It's not a bitter attack, it was done to prove a belief.
This picture, I think says a lot more than just "Gays, Lesbians and the like have the right to participate in Catholicism", I think it also conveys a message that in the end we're all human, we all have feelings and emotions, we can all love. No matter what we believe in, no matter what guidelines stand in our way, in the end if you truly love someone, nothings more powerful than that, not even the teachings of the church.
These two were brave enough to step past two major rules set for them and I find that not to be sinful, but admirable because they weren't doing it to lash out at the god they believed in, but to prove that even after all they've done, they believe he continues to love them and they still believe in him.
Though a very simply done photograph I believe that when one truly observes it and it's story, that's when the true message, whatever that may be, emerges.
I'd say this is one of the most shocking and stunning additions I've ever stumbled across in the world of Photojournalism. It's so controversial and in it's own way beautiful.
I love it.
/ramble
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The only thing I dont like about this pic: The fact it was taken with a Nikon
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that so sweet, very beautiful and thought provoking, good for them in finding love, they know their God will love them no matter what
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This is beautiful.
I wish we didn't vote that Prop. 8 in. I wish people realized that marriage shouldn't be defined by gender, because love knows no boundaries.
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this DD is very much earned. This photo is powerful, inspiring and says so much without a single word. Its sad that there are hateful people, even on deviantart, who want to strike down the basic rights of people. But your photo strikes them down in the process. It proves that there is grace and hope in the fight for equality.
Ignore the hateful. Ignore the ignorant. Stay strong in hope and someday the world will be better.
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This is incredibly moving. To think that such progress has been made in such a short amount of time is awe inspiring. Not too long now and that blasted Amendment will be overruled.
Thank you for your work at raising awareness.
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geeze everyones getting so bent out of shape over this.
This is why I rather NOT follow a real religion, too much hate and drama.
I'd rather follow Jashin, ( i got it from a book >8P) Not too many people follow something from a book and not too much drama and hate ^ 0 ^ and it's not very understandable and no church for it so it's another plus for me! 8D
**typing an opion, Dont chew me out here**
BTW
Congrats on the DD, this is a wonderful picture. I suppor gay pride, love can be found in any shape and form, even if it is two preists of the same gender, Still love, nothing wrong there! ^ -^ **unless if it's an old guy liking a little girl, then it's creepy o_e**
and I like the way the flags reflecting off the stairs <3
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Wow. Amazing~ 
I've noticed that this as sparked quite the debate, so I'll try not to stick my nose in the heated arguments. All I'll say is, wonderful, inspiring shot. Spread the love
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BEAUTIFUL. This is exactly what I'm trying to spread-- God Loves ALL.
Thank you so much for posting this.
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I'm sure you're flooded with comments, and if you don't get around to answering, no worries.... but I just wanted to tell you why I fav'd this...
It's beautiful. It's things like these that give me hope, and reinforce to myself that being semi-Catholic and a lesbian aren't mutually exclusive. And I'm happy they've found each other. 
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Yay! *feels randomly happy* I'm agreed with! XD
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I really feel sad for you having those religion fanatics stalking your work.
I can't believe how intolerant people can be...
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Does the Christian religion condemn homosexuality? Yes it does, but it also shares a message of love, hope, redemption, equality, justice, and peace.
These priests have the right idea. Should they be endorsing the name of God to be doing it? Why not? If they believe it then sure.
Great photo and great message!
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This is absolutely beautiful. There's really nothing I can say about this except that it touches my heart in a very deep way. I do someday want to try going to church with my girlfriend, and it's wonderful to know that we might not have to lie to do it.
When she says God loves us, I believe it's true. Thanks for sharing this story and this photo and congrats on the DD, you deserved it. <3
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You know I don't think you would have needed a caption for this photo. It's sheer simpliticy and beauty speaks for itself.
And with this photo, you've addressed such a sensitive subject so wonderfully.
Kudos to you.
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I don't generally comment on DDs, but this is wonderful. This is photojournalism, pure and simple. I hope I can learn to shoot like this in time.
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Beautiful! I love it!
And to you idiots who say priests can't be gay: any true Christian should know that everyone sins. Even priests. Even straight priests. It's humans who make homosexuality such a crime, not God.
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thats so contridicting
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It is, really.
But we do follow a
merciful God, so hopefully
they will find peace in the
afterlife.
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uhm...yeah...why not lol
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this is spectacular. there isn't enough love in the world as is, so no one should be denied it.
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Love is a beautiful thing.
Too bad intolerance and ignorance rages on.
The Gay Rights movement IS the Civil Rights movement of today.
The Gay Rights movement IS the Women's Rights movement of today.
The Gay Rights movement is just our generation's problem to overcome, another rung on the evolutionary ladder of our country.
It is not a question of will it happen, it is a question of when. How many more couples are we going to be denied a wedding?
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the Propositions against gay marriage wasn't against gay people, just their rights as people...silly you, get it right. None of this matters..all the debates and hatred over all of this is completely pointless. There's always going to be someone who stands against anything someone else feels or believes in. All the fighting to get people to believe what you believe in is just a waste..believe what you will believe, and leave it at that. Just be glad that thats what you believe in, and thats all that matters. If someone wants to disagree with you, fine...that's their right. But all the pandering to go one way or another has to stop.
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It's not about agreeing or disagreeing with a lifestyle, it's about equal rights between all humans despite those disagreements. We don't have equal rights yet, so it can't stop. It's the same as saying that if over half the U.S. hated black people we should just stop speaking up about it and let them continue slavery. It just can't stop until the ignorance of homophobia is brought to light.
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what you mean is that it can't stop until we've got equal rights. The "ignorance of homophobia" will always exist, just like the "ignorance of racism" continues to exist despite the many strides that have been taken against it. so, fine then..go for equal rights. I just hope no one is expecting perfect acceptance, because that will never be reached.
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Even if that IS true, it does not mean we can't try. Thank God people like Martin Luther King, or Martha Stewert or Susan B. Anthony had the same 'give up, there's no point' attitude as you.
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I never said give up, I'm just saying accept the things you cannot change with dignity. Those wonderful people of the Westboro Baptist church will most likely never know the feeling of a friendship with a gay person, and that's their loss...but screaming at them to change their minds doesn't help any more than their insane signs and beliefs would help change the minds of those that think they're so.
The fact is, I don't want to give up. The fact that there are people in the world that will hate me just because I like guys tears my heart out every time I think about it too long. I would want to explain to them that it doesn't make a difference,that this wasn't some choice I made to be different, and for them to hear that; reason it over in their minds, and eventually come to some point of understanding...I just wish that subtlety and diplomacy had more of a place when it came to trying to better relations between everyone, besides all the parades, rallys, picketing, and what have you -_-
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You don't have to scream to get your point across. I think the WBC is pointless, I ignore it because there are a small group of people-all related- who are pushing an invalid point so hard they are making other homophobes look and feel awful, so I think we should let them because; they are doing more harm to their cause than we could. But it doesn't mean we should give up. My own mother is against people like me; and I haven't come out to anyone in my life yet except my boyfriend so I know how it feels to be afraid of and hated for what you are. People tell me all the time how they hate bisexuals or they think it's a phase, not knowing what I am or what I went through to get to the stage I'm at. But that does not mean we should ever give up trying to be understood. Maybe by our efforts, even if it doesn't work in our lifetime, we can help make it more acceptable and easier for people in the future to be proud of who they are.
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of course not. None of us are naive enough to think that we'll receive perfect acceptance. But you must admit, BECAUSE people fought for it, the ignorance of racism has been greatly decreased over the years. The same is possible with homophobia.
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Cool! I had seen and faved this before, and I was so happy to see it had gotten a DD!
Great shot, and even better message!
Spead Gods love, not hate.
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Haha, gosh religion just gets worse with every passing day. Glad I never fell for that nonsense. Hmmm, I wonder how many children these two have had their filthy hands on? Funny stuff, funny freakin' stuff there.
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Wow.... your ignorance is astounding.
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